Total pages in book: 157
Estimated words: 150968 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 503(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 150968 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 503(@300wpm)
She still doesn’t understand the danger she’s put herself in by threatening Thomas Johnson with evidence that could possibly ruin my father and his whole career. Does Lila not realize that the wealthy, high-society consists of filthy, corrupted people? “You had no right!” I cry, my heart rattling in dark terror. “You took those photos without my permission!”
From the corner of my eyes, I see Maddox taking a step toward us, his mouth opening to defend Lila, but I shake my head. “Don’t,” I warn Maddox. “This is between me and her.”
I swallow dryly, licking my lips before speaking again. “You shouldn’t have taken those photos. You don’t even realize what you’ve done, Lila.”
“I’m not scared of him,” she hisses angrily.
“Please, just…delete them. He’s letting me go to Harvard. Your threats worked, but delete those photos now.”
Lila is silent for a minute, her eyes searching mine. My chin wobbles and I hold in my tears. “Please, Lila.”
Finally, I see the moment she relents. Lila takes the phone out of her pocket, her thumb pausing over the screen. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. Delete all of them. And promise me you won’t do this again. You can’t confront my father like this ever again, do you understand? Promise me, Lila.”
She nods mutely, still scowling as she deletes the folder on her phone. “There, all gone.” She pockets her phone, her brows furrowing in concern. “Now, calm down. I deleted them, we’re going to Harvard. Everything is going to be okay.”
Lila reaches for my hand, entwining our fingers together and giving me a gentle squeeze. “Riley, breathe.”
“Okay,” I choke out. Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale.
Lila brings out a piece of mint gum from her pocket, taking the wrapper off before handing it to me. I shove it in my mouth, chewing. Slowly, my tense muscles loosen and the fist squeezing my lungs releases its tight grip on me. My ragged breathing slows down until my thoughts are no longer muddled. The awful, frantic terror slowly eases into a dull pain in my chest.
When Lila sees that I’m noticeably calmer, she gives my hand another squeeze. “Let’s go.” She opens the door for me, and I get into the back seat.
“Can you drop me off at Grayson’s?” I ask, my voice shaking with emotion.
Maddox nods as Lila gets in the front seat. He pulls out of the driveaway and my quiet sniffles fill the silence among us. Through blurry vision, I see Maddox reaching out and his hand grips Lila’s thigh. Almost in a comforting manner. Protective.
My chest shudders with realization.
In a moment of mindless panic, I had forgotten about Maddox Coulter and his undeniable adoration for my best friend. While my father can make Lila disappear if he wants to, Maddox will burn the whole world down to find her.
He will protect her…when I can’t, because I am powerless to do so.
Our eyes meet in the rearview mirror, the expression on her face concerned. I send her a tight smile, mouthing, I’m okay.
In truth, I’m not okay…
And I don’t know if I ever will be.
***
Grayson’s aunt opens the door, and she smiles at the sight of me. “Oh, Riley! How are you doing, sweetie?”
Mrs. Hale was skeptical of mine and Grayson’s relationship in the beginning. I wasn’t her first choice for her nephew. I think she would have been happier if Grayson was dating Oaklynn. She had been pushing for it to happen, until the moment Grayson told her that he was dating me.
I’m glad that she eventually warmed up to me.
We even went out for brunch once. Mrs. Hale was the one to suggest it. “I want to know the girl who stole Grayson’s heart,” she had told me that day. “You make him smile, and it’s a rare, beautiful sight.”
I smile, stepping inside. “Hi, Mrs. Hale. I’m good, how are you?”
She closes the door and quirks up an eyebrow. “I’m alright. Grayson is upstairs. Does he know you’re coming?”
I shake my head. “No, I didn’t tell him.”
“Well, go on then.” She’s grinning. I like her smile, there’s something comfortable about it. And her eyes — the warm look in them, is not fake.
“Thank you!” I rush upstairs to Grayson’s room. He still lives at home with his aunt and uncle, only ever going to his penthouse when we want privacy or to spend the night together.
I pause at his closed door, knocking softly.
“Come in,” he answers right away.
I open the door and peek my head inside. He’s lying on his back in his bed, shirtless, with a thick book in his hands. There’s just something sexy about men who read. Men with glasses, specifically.
I walk inside and the door closes behind me with a quiet click. “What book is that?” I ask, biting my lip. His head snaps up, and he drops the book at the sound of my voice.