“You have got to be fucking kidding me,” I groaned as I put my car in park and slipped out of the driver side, walking toward the front.
“Can I help you with something?” I asked, folding my arms over my chest. There was a chill in the air, and it wasn’t just from the way Knox was looking at me.
“What is it you want from Tatum?” He walked closer, towering over me.
“We’re friends,” I smiled, but his eyes narrowed.
“Spare me the bullshit. I know your type.”
“My type?” I laughed before brushing my hair over my shoulder. “I’m one of a kind.”
He laughed, but there was no humor. “There is nothing original about you. From your dyed hair to the plastic on your fingernails, you are an illusion.”
“I’m a natural blonde. I can prove it if you’d like.” I raised an eyebrow as his head tilted to the side ever so slightly. If I didn’t know any better, it looked as though he was fighting against a smirk.
“I’m not interested.”
“That’s a shame,” I shrugged. “It would have been fun to slum it.” I winked as I took a step toward my car door, but he countered, blocking my path.
“Tatum is the type of person who wants to see the good in everyone, even if it’s not there.”
“Like with you?”
“The difference between us is, I’m not going to hurt her.”
“Oh, please. I’m not going to hurt Tatum.”
“She’s already changed everything about herself and snuck out of the house. You’re able to hide behind a big gate like this, and throw daddy’s money at your problems to make them go away. Tatum doesn’t have that luxury. I won’t let her get hurt or screw up her future.”
“You can’t tell me what to do.”
“Watch me.”
“Is that a threat?”
He bent down slightly, his warm breath fanning over my ear. “You wish, Princess.”
Goosebumps scattered across my flesh as I tried to remain impassive. “I get it. You have a thing for Tatum.” I leaned in closer, stretching up on the balls of my feet as I whispered, “Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone that you want to bang your pseudo sister.” I sank back on my heels as his eyes searched mine but he didn’t respond. “That’s it, isn’t it?” I laughed, unable to stop the giggle from erupting.
“Is it really that hard for you to believe I care about her without wanting anything in return? I’m starting to get the feeling that gate isn’t to keep guys like me out. Maybe it is to keep you in. What’s wrong, Princess? Daddy liked his little girl a little too much?”
“Fuck you!”
“Not even if you paid me.” His eyes widened, and he let out a laugh. “That’s it, isn’t it? You aren’t changing her because you don’t like who she is. You think you have to buy her.”
“Do you have any idea who I am?” I snapped.
“I don’t care,” He spat back, enunciating each word slowly. “Tatum needs to be studying and getting ready for college. She doesn’t have a free ride. She has to work for everything she has. I don’t want her getting sidetracked.”
“Well, if you want to make sure she doesn’t grow up too fast, if you know what I mean, you can always come to my party. It’s still in the planning stages, but it is going to be epic. I know Tatum is going to invite Bryce, and you never can trust those horny teenage boys.”
“Tatum was planning on sneaking out to a party with you? Un-fucking-believable.”
“Yes, a party. You know, where people come together to dance and have a few drinks. Try to keep up.”
He ran his hand along his jaw, sighing loudly as if growing bored with the conversation. “You know Bryce is just waiting for the right moment to take advantage of her, right? You’re going to be the reason he gets his chance.”
I shrugged. “It’s none of my business.”
“Maybe we can help each other.”
“I don’t need any meth or tattoos, thank you very much.”
He laughed, shaking his head as he mumbled something under his breath. “If you’re going to have a party here, you need to do it right. None of that Hollywood bullshit. Champagne and fancy dip aren't going to win you any friends.”
“You think you know how to throw a better party than me?”
“Oh, I know I can.”
“Like what?” I asked skeptically. His lips twisted up in a lopsided grin.
“I could tell you, but I don’t feel like explaining things simple enough for someone like you to understand.”
“Just what I thought. All talk.” I rolled my eyes.
“I’ll tell you what. I’ll help you pull together the best party this town has ever seen if you do me a favor.”
“I’m not exactly known for doing things out of the kindness of my heart.”
“Why does that not surprise me? I want Bryce out of the picture. He’s using Tatum, and I need help to prove it to her before things go too far.”
“That’s it?” I smirked. “Too easy.”
“And I want you to back off of Tatum.”
“What? You can’t be serious.”
“She doesn’t matter to you. We both know it.”
I thought it over for a moment. I finally had someone I could talk to who didn’t hang out with me just for my money or to flirt with my dad. But there was something I needed more than someone to go shopping with, and I finally may have found a solution to a bigger problem. “If you want me to back off Tatum and destroy her relationship, I need something more than a party.”
A cocky grin spread across his face. “You’re really not my type.”
I ignored his jab and continued, “My dad has this girlfriend...”
“You want her gone. Is she soaking up too much of Daddy’s attention?”
“I’ll get rid of Bryce if you can get Piper on a plane back to LA. Do we have a deal?”
“And your friendship with Tatum is over?”
I shrugged. “Fine. Come by this weekend and we can start planning.”
He shook his head as if I’d just failed a test I didn’t know I was taking. “With a friend like you, who needs enemies?”
“Spare me the emotional bullshit. Do we have a deal?”
“Consider it done.”
“What do we need to do first?”
“First, you need to be honest with me. If something is going on with Tatum and Bryce, I want to know, straight up. I don’t trust that kid, and she’s had a really rough couple of years. I don’t want her getting taken advantage of.”
“Are we going to pinky promise now?” I joked.
“I’ll do the same,” he continued. “Like now, You’re acting like a real bitch, and I am going to be honest with you and tell you that no amount of money will make up for a shitty personality.”
My mouth dropped open, and I struggled to find a witty retort, but I didn’t know how to come back from what he’d just said. I was used to people talking shit, but it was usually behind my back.
“Nod if you can understand me, Princess.”
My mouth snapped shut as I smacked him on his arm. “Screw you!”
“You offered that already. I politely declined. Then you asked me to screw your step-mommy.”
“She is not my step-mother,” I growled in frustration as I stepped around him and pulled open the driver’s side door of my car. “Get that piece of shit out of my way before I lodge it under my car,” I yelled, pointing to the black motorcycle.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Wouldn’t want to dent that present from Daddy.”
“Yeah, well… if I were you, I’d say goodbye to Tatum because, by the time I’m done with her, you won’t even recognize her! You wanted to play games right? You sure you want to take me on with Tatum as the pawn? I’ve ruined people for less.”
His playful smirk vanished as his palms slapped down on the hood of my car, causing me to startle.
“Stay the hell away from Tatum,” he warned.
“A de
als a deal. See you Saturday, asshole,” I laughed as I slipped into my seat.
“Looking forward to it, Princess.”
I slammed my door and waited for him to saunter out of the way before pulling closer to the gate and putting in my code. I watched as his bike pulled out on the road through my rearview mirror as the gate closed behind me.
Knox
I took the long way back to my house, needing to clear my head before I met up with the guys at my shop.
Liam climbed off his Harley Forty-eight, groaning as he pulled off his sunglasses. “Here. That fuckwad Tatum is seeing dropped this off for you.” I took the envelope with thanks.
“Where’s Topher and Lucas?” I asked.
“Topher’s getting ready for the fight. Lucas is still passed out.”
“What did you get into last night after I left?” I asked, and he grunted in response.
“I was balls deep in that chick who kept feeding me shots of Tequila. No fuckin’ Bueno.”
“You should know better than to stick your dick in crazy. You wouldn’t have happened to have seen who Charlotte was talking to, would you?”
He nodded, lighting a cigarette and inhaling deeply before speaking. “Some prick who kept asking if my leather was real, Said he was Vegan. Stupid fucking name,” he muttered as he took another drag.
“Vegan isn’t his name, dumb shit. It means he doesn’t eat meat or whatever.”
“Can vegans eat pussy?” He asked, and I shook my head, unable to keep from laughing.
“I think the question is, can they get any pussy.”
“Why you worried about Charlotte?”
“Ivory called. She had a rough night, and they want to have some words with the guy.”
He nodded before flicking his cigarette onto the gravel lot sending embers scattering into the dirt. “I’ll keep an ear to the ground.”
“I appreciate it, man.” I turned to walk away.
“Hey,” I looked back over my shoulder. “That girl you were with last night…”
I raised an eyebrow, suppressing a smirk.
“You’re gonna push Topher too far.”
“He has it coming.”
SEVEN
Riley
I was livid when I stormed into my house, stopping short when I noticed my father and a few of his colleagues. My eyes drifted to each of their faces, stopping on Ezra. He smiled, running his hand over his light, shaggy hair that made him look like he’d just sauntered off the beach. His fans went crazy for his rugged looks, but it was all a façade. He was just as stuck up as anyone from Hollywood.
“Been a long time, Riley.” His movie star smile grew, and I looked to my father who was just as pleased. He’d tried unsuccessfully to start a relationship between the two of us when the gossip mags snapped a few shots of us out to dinner. We’d run in the same circle for a few months back when my dad was filming season one of his show. I’d made the mistake of trusting Ezra, and it didn’t take long for me to regret it.
Everyone wanted to see Hollywood’s bad boy hooking up with the daughter of a movie icon. It was the stuff the paparazzi dreamed of. For a while, it was what I dreamed of.
“Not nearly long enough,” I smiled, and the men laughed. “I didn’t think you were coming back for season two.” By not coming back, I meant he’d been written out of the show after a few weeks of partying hard.
“I hadn’t planned on it, but the movie I was going to be working on fell through and your father couldn’t stop raving about how nice it was here.”
“Really?” My eyes went to my dad, and he shot me a wink. I swallowed hard, struggling to maintain my composure. “Well, I’m sure you’ll love it. Beautiful scenery.”
“It sure is,” He replied, his gaze flitting down my body and making me want to squirm. “You’re looking lovely as ever.”
“We’re heading out early to dinner so we can catch a show. I thought maybe you could show Ezra around, help him get settled.” My dad looked at me expectantly.
“Settled?”
“I’ve found the perfect little place to stay just a few minutes from here,” Ezra explained.
My smile widened.
“But it won’t be ready for a few more days… couple weeks tops. Your father has been gracious enough to let me crash here.”
“Has he,” I gritted out, struggling to maintain my smile. My dad was utterly clueless as to what had transpired between us, but I didn’t think he’d been entirely blind.
“I trust you two will be on your best behavior.” My father’s hand clamped down on Ezra’s shoulder, and they both laughed.
“Of course, sir. I’ll keep an eye on Riley.”
“I’m sure you will,” My dad smiled as he grabbed his keys from the counter. “I have a few things I need to take care of, but when I get back, we are having drinks.”
“Sounds like a plan, sir.”
“Come on, Ezra. You know you can call me Nate… or Dad.”
I groaned, heading to the staircase.
“Riley, would you mind showing Ezra around the property?”
“I’m sure he can manage to find his way around. He’s not completely helpless.”
I heard Ezra say something to my dad, but his voice was too low for me to decipher his words. I shook my head and climbed the stairs to the second floor.
***
My phone chimed throughout the night as Tatum sent me snapshots of her yearbook and I approved of who would be invited to my party. I made a list of things I would need and sent it to Clint, my father’s new assistant that replaced Piper when she got on her knees. Clint could barely even dress himself, but Piper was adamant that my father hire a man, out of fear she would be replaced in her new job.
By the time I was ready for bed, I could hardly keep my eyes open. If it weren’t for the creaking of the door on its hinges, I might have not even noticed someone entering my private space.
“Dad?” I called out, struggling to see through the dark and into the entryway.
“I was just popping in to say goodnight.”
I groaned, flopping back against my pillow. “If my dad catches you in here, Ezra, he’ll kick your ass.”
Ezra laughed. “You mean, have his stunt man do it? I remember a time when you used to love me sneaking into your room at night, and we’d watch movies for hours.”
“That was before I knew how big of a douchebag you were.” I rolled my eyes even though it was too dark for him to see before I reached up and turned the lamp on beside my bed. “What do you want?” I asked, tired of his games.
He held up his hands in front of him. “I just wanted to apologize for the way we’d left things back home.” His hands fell to his sides, and he shook his head.
“You mean when you had your publicist leak a story saying you were dating Henley Swanson, and it was all over the magazines?”
“I was eighteen, Riley. She was my costar. It was to stir up hype for our movie. You think I really liked her?” He rubbed his hand roughly along his jaw, the playfulness had left his tone.
“I didn’t think you’d publically humiliate me. And like her or not, I saw the shots of your tongue crammed down her throat.” My chest hurt just thinking about how young and naïve I had been. I was running with an older crowd that had no limits. Society loved to hang on their every word and loved it, even more, when they crashed and burned.
“You know how it is in our world, Riley. I want to make it up to you.”
I raised an eyebrow, skeptical of his sudden change of personality. I couldn’t tell if his acting had improved or if he was genuinely sorry. “How?”
“I brought you something.”
“You can’t buy me off, Ezra.”
“Not even with this?” He pulled out a small envelope from the back pocket of his jeans and held it out. I pulled my cover higher up my chest. I was only wearing a camisole and panties for bed, and I wasn’t about to hop out of bed and give him a show.
“What is it?”
I didn’t have the patience or the energy to deal with Ezra, so I turned out my light and settled into my pillow. The envelope could wait.
***
The next morning I woke with the sunshine pouring through my window. I yawned, bowing my back as I stretched before grabbing my phone and checking the time. Shit. I was running late for school.
I hurried out of bed and ran through the shower, my mind racing as I thought of everything I needed to do for the party. It was Friday, which meant that I only had two weeks left to get everything together and get the word out.
After getting myself ready, I threw on some jeans and designer t-shirt and raced down to the kitchen. Ezra was already sitting at the island, shoving an apple into his mouth.
“Dad leave yet for work?” I asked as I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and a banana from the fruit bowl on the counter.
“Two hours ago. But lucky for us, I don’t have any scenes today. Some nerdy kid with a bowtie just dropped off a liquor store. Why would he do that?”
My eyes met his and he smiled mischievously.
“Planning a party, Riley?”
“Nope. Just hanging out with a few of my friends.”
“Come on. You don’t have any friends,” he joked.
My eyes narrowed as I pulled my purse strap further onto my shoulder. “You don’t have any friends, Ezra. Everyone loves me.”
“You seriously have no idea what love is. They fear you. That’s the way it should be.” He stood from his stool, tossing his apple core into the trash. “I could show you what love feels like if you want.” His smirk turned my stomach, and I scoffed as I shoved by him toward the door.
“No one even knows you’re here, and I’d like to keep it that way. So, find some rock to slither under ‘kay? Bye.”
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