Page 86 of Sweet Torment

I paste on a smile, kissing Weller’s cheek. “Thank you for making it happen.” I try to sound normal. “I mean it.”

It’s nice being taken care of.

A little giddiness returns at the thought of seeing Winston, though. He’s more in the loop about everything and can help me suss out what’s going on.

“Will Clara be there? Winston’s pack?”

“Maybe,” Weller answers. “It’s possible.”

God, I hope so. I need girl time. Girl time that doesn’t involve haircuts, backstabbing, or fighting to the death.

Four men can be pretty fun when it’s not exhausting. Their energy is everywhere, their scents a constant in the air, their eyes tracking my every move. Their need for me… endless.

Not that I’m complaining.

Today was one of the best days I’ve had in longer than I want to admit. Waking up with Tristan between my thighs, kitchen chaos with Freddie, a shower with Owen, dinner with all four of them, and the promise of Weller’s knot to come. I could almost forget I’m now the star of Whitney’s dollhouse, playing my part for Montgomery.

Almost.

“So,” Freddie says, clearing his throat, breaking the tension that’s settled over the table. “Dessert?”

I can’t help but smile.

I take a cupcake, making a show of licking the icing off, swirling my tongue around the peak of frosting, enjoying the way he blushes.

“Mmm.” Cupcakes made with love taste even better.

And shit. I almost forgot. I need to get back to Whitney’s office soon. Freddie distracted me earlier.

Whitney always loved her secrets. Earlier, during our little snoop, I spotted a book on her shelf that looked familiar.

I’ve read that book before—but not this one. Not if it’s the same one I remember.

Because it isn’t a book at all.

It’s a hollowed-out copy of Pride and Prejudice where she used to keep things hidden from her father. I remember finding it once when we were teenagers, eager to read it, but the pages were cut out to create a secret compartment. There was nothing too interesting in it back then…

But I really want to know what’s inside it now.

I lick more frosting from my cupcake, plotting how to get back into that office without anyone noticing.

Obviously, I will share anything I find…

26

BIANCA

The driver Weller arranged keeps glancing at me in the rearview mirror like he’s getting paid extra to make sure I don’t disappear into thin air. His eyes flick from the road to me, then to the backpack clutched against my chest like it contains state secrets. Which it kind of does. I catch his gaze for the third time, and he quickly looks away.

Montgomery’s guard follows in a black SUV behind us, close enough that I can see his expressionless face in our side mirrors. The sensation of being watched from both front and back makes me uncomfortable. I shift in the leather seat, trying to push away the overwhelming feeling of being smothered to death.

I snuck into Whitney’s office this morning when everyone was busy. Tristan and Weller were arguing about some dumb shit their fathers want them to figure out with the accounts. Freddie was cooking breakfast, the scent of bacon and coffee wafting up the stairs, and Owen was in the shower. I have to take my alone time where I can get it these days.

Turns out... I was right about the book. The moment my fingers touched its worn cover, something electric shot through me. But I haven’t looked inside yet, and it’s fucking killing me.

As we turn onto my parents’ street, my heart pounds like it’s trying to bust out.

And then I see him.