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I was well aware we were drawing more attention given my voice was increasing in decibels every few seconds, but I didn’t give a shit about scandal or people finding out who my uncle was. I wasn’t him.
“Please.”
“Keep pleading with me. Allow me to take wind out of your sails.” I spun around in a circle. “Listen up, everyone. My uncle is Ronny Carlton, a horrible serial killer. He slaughtered people. Are you happy now?”
She tugged at my arm again, forcing me to look at her. Only instead of her crocodile tears, she had a smirk on her face. “You need to stop being hysterical.”
“I’m not the one being hysterical, Josie. You tried to seduce Professor Saint, jealous that he was interested in me. When that didn’t work, you whined to your daddy to punish him. I’m going to warn you one time. You try and hurt that man and you’ll need to go through me.” I pointed my finger in her face, ready to wrap all five around her throat, choking the life out of her.
But I only killed on paper.
“You make light, but you’ll end up dead if you stay in his life.”
I glared at her and sighed. There was no getting through to her so why bother? Sadly, so many things didn’t feel right or maybe I was jaded about the way I felt about him. So what? “That almost sounds like a threat.”
She snorted as if I was losing my mind. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. I was trying to be your friend. Things aren’t always as they seem, you know. Sometimes they’re out of your control.”
“Uh-huh. You’re right about that, Josie. Things aren’t always as they seem. It’s nothing but pretend. Blood is thicker than water. Right? Duly noted. Friend. I have to go.”
“One more thing. I didn’t want to show you this but in the investigation my father has been doing, this was something his investigator found.”
She slipped the file that was on the table in my direction. At first, I also shoved it aside. Whatever was inside, I wanted no part of, but not knowing would nag at me for a long time. Swallowing hard, I moved closer to the table, opening the file with shaky hands. The photo wasn’t a smoking gun by any means, but it told me with vivid color that I wasn’t the only woman in Easton’s life.
“Yes, I thought he was handsome. I laughed at my father saying the man was dangerous. But this isn’t the only student he’s been having an affair with. It’s just one of at least four. I’m sorry I had to break it to you like this. I do care about you.”
“I’m not certain you do, Josie, but that’s okay. You have your priorities and I have mine.” Although at this moment, I had no clue what that meant any longer. Could I believe what I was seeing? I wasn’t certain but if what was there in technicolor wasn’t a lie, then Easton didn’t care anything about me. He’d simply used me.
Including my stupid innocence.
A horrible feeling of dread and sadness rolled through me, my mind finding this tough to believe.
I turned away from her before I ended up slapping the shit out of her. She was her father’s puppet, likely her trust fund in the balance. Not that I blamed her completely, but her attempt at ruining a man was despicable.
Sadly, if what she was saying was true, and I had no reason to believe otherwise, then I wanted to warn Easton. Then I’d leave town to avoid the continued humiliation. Before I walked out, I turned slightly. She was already on the phone, undoubtedly calling her father. Thank God I’d graduated.
I had a bad feeling Easton and his brothers were running out of time. The question was—did I give a shit?
Easton
“I understand, President DiMarco. Tenure isn’t guaranteed.” I glanced at Creed, who was already shaking his head. I’d honestly expected the call, especially after receiving a doctored photograph of time spent with Sara that hadn’t occurred. At least not in the seductive method the photographer had indicated. However ugly the photos, it was a clear indication the bastard behind the threats had every intention of doing what he, she, or it could to ruin us.
“Well, Mr. President, while Sara Adams is now working with me in an intern capacity, I barely knew her during the semester she was in my class.” As he prattled on about the situation, obviously under duress, which could mean someone of influence had put a gun to his head, I was tuning out his words. I simply didn’t care any longer. “Let me help you out, Tony. I quit. Maybe that will help you sleep better tonight. Now that I’ve done you a favor, I will say this and you need to hear me clearly.”
Creed was now grinning, crossing his arms as he leaned against his desk.
“If you dare attempt to publish those doctored photographs or sully my family name in any way, I will come after you. And I assure you that it won’t be with a lawsuit. Do you understand me?”
He sputtered and groaned. But he got the message.
“Thank you for your call.” When I hung up, all I could do was laugh. “And so the trickledown effect continues.”
“If you ask me, you were too lenient on him,” Creed mused.
“Yeah, well, he’s not to blame. The asshole responsible for this shit is.” I held up the ugly photo, trying to keep from returning to my angry phase.
“I’m going to do you one better, brother.” He headed around to the opposite side of his desk, yanking open his drawer. “This was sent to Bella just last night.”
I grabbed the photograph, half laughing. “Your secretary? Interesting if not impossible sexual position.”
