Filthy Little Pretties

by Trilina Pucci

  Her features harden, and she looks cold, like a force to be reckoned with.

  “Because in times of war, I’m always on my brother’s side. He’s the only family I have, and I will protect him.”

  My brows draw together. She’s being sincere, and that’s far more scary than any other version of Caroline.

  “He went to Red Oak and almost put Paul in a coma. He’s out of control, drinking, destroying his library at home, all because nothing matters anymore—he’s done too much damage. It’s a matter of time before the press finds out. But he won’t listen to us. It’s taken Kai and Liam to keep him contained, but we need him to relax, so we can fix this, and all he wants is you.”

  Me. My chest feels heavy with the desire to go to him, kiss away his anger, and tell him I love him, but how can I forgive that easy? He knows I can’t.

  “What do you expect from me? He treated me like dirt. Broke my heart today. It’s still unforgivable, even knowing what I do. I can’t help you.”

  “Then you aren’t the woman he thinks you are.”

  Her words hit me like a brick. Caroline and I stand in silence, her eyes searching mine as I decide how to answer. What kind of woman am I? The question rolls around and around in my mind without an answer because, truth is, I don’t know.

  Some days I’m so lost it feels like I could never find my way home, and then other days, I feel like I’ve found the key to the universe and only the sky’s the limit. But the one truth I know is that the only woman I want to be is one who’s with him, because he’s my home. I’m never lost when I’m with him, and he’s the person who lets me fly but keeps us both still attached to the ground.

  And I’m that for him. I’m his calm. His first friend. His last thought before he goes to bed. And his only love. I always have been. But I’m not his doormat. I’ll help him because nobody brings Grey to his knees but me.

  I reach inside my pocket, swallowing hard as I dial the number and bring it to my ear. Caroline looks worried, lines forming between her eyes. I can’t help but smirk. It’s fun keeping her on her toes.

  “Vic, wake my father. I need him to suppress a story. Across all platforms. It doesn’t get out, and when he refuses, let him know I’m not asking. I think it’s the least he could do for me.”

  Hanging up, I stare back at Caroline. “Now take me to Grey. He has amends to make, and you can fill me in on everything I need to know on the way. “

  Caroline and I are in the back of a limo, heading to her house, her knee bouncing from nerves as my father and I negotiate on speaker.

  “This is ludicrous and immature. You expect me to stop a story because why? You have a crush on Grey McCallister? No. Donovan, that’s not how the ‘real world’ works.”

  He has to be kidding. What would he know about the real world? He’s a closed-off elitist who doesn’t even have a heart. Miles Kennedy might be worse than the devil.

  I cross my legs, staring out the window, into the empty sidewalks. “What I feel for Grey has no bearing on this conversation. I would appreciate your assistance, but I’m willing to take your help forcefully if need be.”

  He laughs, loudly, the condescending tone clear. It’s a mistake not to take me seriously. I won’t bend and mold myself into a smaller version to be overlooked and forgotten anymore. He will listen. And he will do what I’m asking.

  “Do you think I’m afraid of a child? Of my own daughter?”

  Now it’s my turn to laugh. “I’m surprised you can still pronounce the word, Father. I would think it would seem foreign in your mouth. This isn’t a game. There are serious stakes. And if you want to pretend to be my father, then act like one. I’ll give you a hint…they listen and help.”

  A heavy breath filters through the phone as I wait for him to answer.

  “You have three minutes of my time. That’s more generous than I am with most others.”

  Caroline’s eyes are fixed on my face, more worried than I’ve ever seen her. It’s strange to think she’s capable of caring about anyone other than herself, but tonight’s been all about surprises.

  “Evan McCallister shouldn’t be allowed to take this company from Grey. It was his mother’s dying wish that Grey have those shares. Evan isn’t one of us. And he definitely isn’t a McCallister.”

  My words are cruel, but namesakes and legacies appeal to men like my father, so that’s where I’ll start.

  “I don’t care about that. Their family isn’t important to mine.”

  Yes, he is.

  “No, but you do care about your reputation being soiled. I can only imagine the waves I could make selling a story about an attempted date rape involving your promiscuous, drug-using daughter and Paul Hearst. You might own most of media, but most isn’t all. Now, if you do what I ask, we can avoid all that scandal. Because what was it that you said to me when I came back? Oh yeah, ‘public opinion is the nectar of the gods, and the only thing that can sour the taste is scandal.’”

  He’s silent, but I can hear him breathing. I twist to look at Caroline, who’s looking at me with an expression of awe, mouth open and pulled into a half smile, eyes wide. “Give me your phone,” I mouth to Caroline. But she shakes her head, pulling herself together. I reach out, palm up, and hook my fingers, beckoning.

  “Donovan. I’m—”

  “Hold on,” I say to my father, cutting him off and placing my phone on mute as I glare at her. “Open your phone and give it to me. I need the photo you took.”

  She’s white as a ghost, stumbling over her words. “What? What photo?”

  I would love to savor this moment, but we don’t have time.

  “The photo of me and Paul…when he tried to kiss me. I knew I saw a flash.” She starts to shake her head, but I give her a smirk. “Nobody else would care, except for you.” Her eyes narrow, and she looks like an animal that’s been cornered. “Don’t lose your cool now, kitten.”

  Ooo, if looks could kill. Caroline doesn’t lose often, that’s obvious. Her fingers press on the screen as the face lights up, and she opens her photos, my phone vibrating only moments later.

  “You’ve never been in my league. But it’s been cute to watch you try and keep up.” Her head lowers slightly as I type out a message on my own phone and turn my attention back to my call, taking it off mute. “Father.”

  “I’m here. Plotting more?”

  I laugh at the accuracy of his statement before saying, “Look at your phone.”

  Caroline and I sit in silence, waiting for him to respond. I’m prepared for every possible reaction except the one I get.

  “Dear God, Donovan. Why didn’t you come to me? Are you okay? Did more happen than this photo?”

  “What?” I almost choke on my words. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he cared. But I do know better. “Do we have a deal?”

  His answer is immediate.

  “Yes. Neither of these stories will make it to publish.”

  “No, run mine—put it on Page Six and make sure we look like lovebirds. It’ll make the Hearst family want to do damage control and lock everything down. They won’t want any information out about what really happened. And you’ll already have controlled the narrative just in case. You could spin it to make Grey look like a goddamn hero.”

  Caroline lets out a whistle, and I wink in return. My father clears his throat, and suddenly I feel nervous because he isn’t speaking.

  “I don’t know what to say, Donovan.”

  “Agree to the terms. That’s all.”

  “Done…but…I have to say something. I always thought you were like your mother,” he states without emotion.

  I take it, trying not to let it hurt before I snap back defensively, “I know. Calculating whore, got it.”

  His voice rushes out, uncharacteristic of his manner. “But I think you may be more like me after all. There was a time when I was loyal, protective, and fought fiercely for the things I believe in. Unfortunately, I forgot those qualities until you just reminded
me that I haven’t used them in about five years.”

  Did my dad just tell me he’s proud of me?

  “Okay, well, thank you for the help,” I say a little quieter, a little more grateful. “I’ll check in later?”

  “Okay.”

  Grey

  MY CHEST BURNS WITH THE force that my breath leaves my body as I hurl a book across the room and charge at Liam again. The sound of the paper flutters in the air as Kai’s arm goes around my neck, pulling me backward, trying to get me to settle, but it’s not going to happen. They’ve doubled down, trying to keep me contained, but nothing matters anymore.

  My thoughts are singular. Donovan.

  “Grey. Chill,” Kai roars, trying to keep me off balance.

  My elbow lands a heavy blow to his stomach, and the wind leaves his body, forcing his arm to loosen. I twist, shoving him off me as he stumbles over to where Liam is standing in front of the door. Rage courses through my body and burns my vision, only matched by the force of their determination.

  “We’ll do this all fucking night, boys. I can walk through the door or break your bodies getting to the door. But trust me, I’m leaving.”

  “You aren’t going to her like this,” Liam threatens, narrowing his eyes at me.

  I want to break his neck. My throbbing face has me rubbing a hand up my jaw as I walk toward them. They don’t get any credit, though, because this pain is from earlier today and not from these two assholes.

  “You don’t get to tell me shit when it comes to her, Liam. She’s mine.”

  He bristles at the word. Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it, because now that I’ve said it aloud, I’ll never fucking stop. Liam runs his hand over his shaved head and spins around, letting out a growl as he walks back to the door, in need of space.

  “You aren’t the only one who loves her! You’re just the only one she loves.”

  His words are hurled at me as he turns back around, sucking all the bravado out of my body. I’m not the only one who loves her. I know that. Liam wants to keep her safe, but she’s always safest with me.

  “I know I look like an animal.” I understand why they won’t let me past, but I can’t stop. “But I need her.”

  It won’t stop. Not until I can feel her breath against my neck, her arms wrapped around me, and those eyes fixed on mine. That’s what they can’t understand, my need for her…it’s as automatic inside me as the blood pumping through my veins. She keeps me alive. Without her, I’m dying in little pieces, painfully and destructively.

  “Not tonight,” he levels.

  A roar leaves my lips. “Fuck you!”

  I reach down and flip the mahogany coffee table, sending it flying. An ashtray hits the floor, books scatter, and the wood creaks as it lands with a thud, flipped over onto its top. As the two of them prepare for us to tussle again, they take a few steps toward me slowly, rolling their shoulders, eyes locked to mine, when the faint swish of the door against the rug pulls our eyes. But it’s the familiar raspy voice standing in the open doorway that halts our movements immediately.

  “Grey.”

  It’s one word. Just my name, but said from her lips, and my shoulders relax, a heavy breath leaving my body the moment I see her face. Her beautiful blue eyes stare at me, heartbroken, angry but full of love as she walks inside the dismantled room. Inside my chaos.

  I can’t move. With every step she takes, my body starts to feel weak, like all the fight in me is leaving. I can feel my breath shake in my inhale, and my hands lift slightly, like they’re trying to get to her faster. Donovan passes in between Liam and Kai, but it’s Liam who tries to stop her. She doesn’t even pause, brushing his arm from her.

  “No,” she answers to his touch but keeps her eyes on my face. “I’ve got him. Go…I’m fine. Leave us alone.”

  His eyes narrow, brows drawing together in anger, as he starts to reach for her again, but stops, letting her pass. She closes the distance between us, standing in front of me and blinking down above the freckles that I dream about every night. Those beautifully red-rimmed blue eyes stare up, mimicking the torment I feel. My chest rises and falls, rattled by all my unspoken words.

  I love you. Forgive me. Never leave me.

  But nothing comes out. I can’t open my mouth, only stare back down at her. So much silence passes, but it doesn’t feel quiet. Our energy is buzzing all around us. Her hand lifts slowly, settling onto my chest, all our thoughts playing out on our faces as my eyes close, listening to her soft voice soothe every part of my soul and her words punish it.

  “You broke my heart.”

  “I was trying to prove it was mine.”

  I open my eyes and bring my hands up to cradle her face as I hear the door click shut, leaving us alone. I wish I could take it all back, do it differently. But I can’t.

  “I’m sorry. For all of it,” I rush out, finally able to speak. “You should hate me.”

  She should hate me, for all the cruelty and the bulldozing, and never forgive me. I’d deserve it. Her eyes shine as she shakes her head slowly.

  “I can’t hate you.” Her fingers curl around my T-shirt, bringing me closer to her. “But I’m not sure I can forgive you.”

  “Can’t or won’t?”

  So many emotions war on her face, eyes glistening with her imprisoned tears, as she stares back at me.

  “Grey. That’s not fair.”

  I love her. I’ll never play fair, but I can’t hurt her anymore. I won’t. My head drops down, ashamed at what I’ve done today. She deserves better.

  “Then don’t forgive me.”

  Her hands grip my shirt tighter as I look up. She’s biting her lip, deep lines marring the in between of her eyes. “Grey, don’t say that.”

  My head shakes as I bring my hand to her cheek. She’s so beautiful, and I don’t deserve her. “Punish me. Hate me.” Her hand reaches up to cover my mouth, but I pull it away. “Walk away.”

  “Stop saying that,” she snaps, turning to walk away, but I wrap my arms around her, holding her still.

  “Because if you stay, I’ll beg. I’ll fucking beg for you. On my hands and knees. Everything I said today was mean and wrong. I don’t care about your past, and I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I need you, Donovan. I’m not me without you.”

  Her forehead falls against my chest, and she lets out a shaky breath. “I hate how weak you make me.”

  “Then stay mad. Just don’t say no to us because I fucking love you. I love you.”

  Her head shifts up, and I feel her fingers dig into my hips. “God damn me. I love you too.”

  My mouth crashes down on hers, and time feels like it stops, as our tongues dance the moment they touch, winding around and tasting, as my fingers weave through her hair. Her arms wrap around my ribs as we kiss like it’s the first time. Like we’ve been starved for this moment. Our words are whispered between desperate kisses as we move around the room, stumbling, hands roaming, mouths sealed, until she’s backed up into one of the bookcases along the wall.

  “Fuck, you feel so good,” I breathe, before diving back in to kiss her feverishly.

  Our breath rises and falls together, as she pushes me back, her hands finding the end of my shirt and dragging it up. We only separate long enough to pull it over my head, before she’s kissing my neck and running her plump, warm lips over my chest.

  “I want to bury myself inside of you.”

  Her lips press as her tongue darts out to taste my skin. “Now. I’m done waiting.”

  My hands tear and pull at her sweatshirt, lifting it over her head and dragging it off.

  “I want you so fucking bad, Grey,” she pants.

  I pull back, awestruck, as she gives her head a little shake, letting her hair settle against her tan skin, her big blue eyes staying connected with mine. No matter how many times I’ve looked at her, I’m still struck by how fucking beautiful she is. And she’s mine.

  Her hands come to my bare chest as she places a kiss over my heart, befo
re peeking up through her lashes. “Fuck me like you should have the first time.”

  My hands reach out, gripping my T-shirt that she’s in, and rip from the collar. Her body jerks forward with each tug until she’s exposed, braless and fucking spectacular. Dropping my head forward, I dip down and place a slow, languid kiss along her neck, speaking my words into her flesh.

  “Tonight, you’re mine. Tomorrow you’re mine—”

  But she cuts me off, running her tongue across her bottom lip. “First. Last. Only.” Forever mine, and I’m going to savor every moment.

  I push her arms up over her head, running my palms up the underside to her wrists, hearing her soft whimper. Pinning them against the spines of old books, I press my leg into her center, running my thumb over the bracelet. The one she took back. My eyes search hers as we both sit in this moment. I hurt her, and as much as I want her body, it’s her heart I need more.

  “Nothing ever happened between me and Laura. I lied to hurt you.” The truth falls from my lips, raw and uncontained. “I’ll never hurt you again.”

  Donovan lifts her face, and I bend to her, taking her soft lips again. She pulls away and levels her eyes on me. “We’ve got a lifetime left—you can’t promise that. Just promise me you’ll never hurt me on purpose again.”

  My jaw tenses, and I hate myself, but I nod. I won’t ever do that to her again. Electricity shoots between us as I stare into her eyes, stepping in closer. Our bodies press harder into each other, grinding and rubbing as she sucks and graces kisses along my jawline. Her hands tug against my hold, but I don’t let go. I hold her wrists with one hand and use my other to grip her ass hard, guiding her to rub her clit up and down my thigh.

  “Let me hear you,” I whisper to her, smiling when she lets out a held breath.

  “Fuck me, Grey,” she pants, raising her chin as I lick up her throat. “Erase it all. Make me the only place you exist. Damn the rest.”

  Damn the fucking rest.