Chapter 24
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Quietly, I pull on some clean clothes while my eyes stay on her. Her black hair spilled out on the white bed sheet, looking like ink. Her mouth is slightly parted, and her arm thrown onto her forehead. She’s beautiful, but beautiful in the way she doesn’t have to try.
Sliding on my shoes, I take one last look at her before placing the note next to her. Exiting the room with just my small bag.
I went to the Williamses’ yesterday, raging and ready to blow everything up, when their caretaker answered the door, informing me they went to their condo about two hours away from Driftwood Bay for Todd’s birthday.
And that’s when my next plan went into motion.
Able to calm down and think straight, I texted Molly to let her know I wanted to work this out.
They’re all three awaiting my arrival today with no clue the hell I’m planning on bringing with me.
Last night with August was something I can’t even put into words.
I didn’t go to the bakery with what happened in mind; I went to let her know I’d be out of town for a bit, but how the night ended, I wouldn’t have changed anything.
I let my mind steer me, not my heart. My mind wanted to feel her body, remember the way it would squeeze around my dick, the way she’d pant when she’d come. And I let it happen. Needing it.
The way she molds perfectly to me, cries out my name and moans by just my touch, that fucking undoes me. After all these years, our bodies still yearn for each other. Last night, our bodies finally received the reward they craved.
We’re not like the kids we were when she left. Now, we both understand the urge and heartbreak, and know how precious everything is. And I think we both showed each other that in the way we kissed, touched, and fucked.
Hopping on my bike, I head straight to the ferry, thankfully not having to wait long for it to dock.
My mind races to August, hoping she won’t be mad that I just left, but a petty part of me also wants her to feel how I felt when she left me. At least I left a note and will come back, unlike her.
Revving my bike, I exit the ferry and head straight for the highway, riding along the coastline, trying to prepare myself to take on a role I don’t want to. I couldn’t let my anger lead me, because I knew in the end it would make things worse. I have to play this all smartly.
Pulling up to the condo, I valet my motorcycle and add Molly’s contact to my phone, then call her. She answers on the second ring, her voice full of hope, and I smile.
“Bo?”
Closing my eyes, “I’m sorry. I miss you.” I lie to her, eyes scanning the building. I’m not a liar, but for my family I will lie to God if I have to.
“Where are you?”
“I’m here, outside.”
I hear her breath hitch, and then the sound of her heels. “I’m buzzing you in.”
“Okay.” I hang up on her, needing to prepare myself.
The elevator pings when I get to the twelfth floor, opening up, revealing a smiling Molly. I try to reflect mine back to her, but it feels forced.
Stepping off, she hugs me, pulls back before coming in for a kiss. I give her my cheek. “We have things we need to work out. Okay?” I smile at her sweetly, giving her a look that I hope shows her that I do want to work things out.
She hurriedly nods her head. “Yes, of course.” Then she grabs my hand and leads me into the condo.
I look around, but don’t see her parents, only the perfectly laid out room, full of expensive artwork and furniture. Floor-to-ceiling windows give them a view that only money can buy...and lies.
Leading me through the living room, down the hall, and straight to her bedroom, slamming the door behind us. She pushes me onto the bed and straddles me. All the while, my backpack is still on my back.
“I knew you’d see your ways. We have something, Bo.” She grinds onto me.
Wrapping my hands around her forearms, I lift her off me, placing her next to me on the bed. Her eyes widen.
“If we're going to do this, I want to take it slower. We both know the sex between us is fucking phenomenal, but I want to focus on this.” I point to her heart. Knowing it’s black as night underneath her ribcage.
She tries to pout, pushing her lips out. Raising my hand, I place my index finger on her lips. “No, you don’t.” She’s thirty and she fucking pouts. Her blue eyes look at me, wanting to argue, but she stops.
I let Molly drag me all around with her; if we're not in the condo, then she can’t try to screw me. At least that’s what I’m hoping.
For three days I’ve been able to keep her at bay, even though we're sleeping in the same bed and she’d tried her hardest. My dick obliges her, but I quickly roll over and put distance between her and me. I’ve been walking blue balls.
August messaged me on the first day, not happy and telling me I’m a jerk. I didn’t reply. I had to stay in the game.
“Dinner tonight at eight,” Mrs. Williams calls to Molly and me. I smile, knowing this is the night I get everything back. I have bided my time long enough.
We dress up in formal attire to stay in the house; the tie around my neck feels like it’s choking me.
The table displays the finest plates and drinkware, and a few other guests are joining us.
I’ve only seen Todd in passing, and when I do, I smile at him, wanting to unnerve him, but keep him uninterested.
Dinner goes off without a hitch; the wedding gets brought up a few times, and I play along.
Once the table becomes only occupied with Todd and me, whiskey poured and cigars lit, I know soon I’ll burst his bubble. I move closer to him, and his eyes widen.
Picking up my whiskey glass, I say, “Cheers to everyone getting everything they want.” I clink his glass, even though he doesn’t move it to mine. I smile behind the rim of my glass.
His eyes scan my face, trying to see what I’m hiding.
“You know, Todd, life is crazy, isn’t it?” I take a puff of my cigar, the smoke bellowing out of my mouth, just watching him. “It’ll give you what you need when you need it. There is no begging it or pleading; it’ll happen when it’s supposed to.” The words roll off my tobacco coated tongue.
Todd looks at me, perplexed, before rolling the ashes of his cigar off.
Leaning my elbows on the table, cigar propped between my fingers, knowing it’s now or never, time to shoot the gun.
“I met the coolest guy the other day…” Pausing, I tap my chin with the butt of my cigar.
“Calvin. And his backstory is crazy.” Saying Calvin’s name, Todd's eyes bug out of their sockets.
And I narrow my eyes, knowing all the cards are in my hand as I watch him squirm in his leather chair.
“And wouldn’t you know it, he says he’s your son?” I whisper to him before taking a sip of my whiskey. "Pirate’s Hideaway was a hush gift for him. Isn’t that crazy?”
Todd turns white, all blood draining from his face.
His cigar ashes grow longer by the second, pushing his chair back.
Ashes falling to the expensive wood, he stands up.
I follow him with my eyes. “Sit down. We have some things to talk about.” I growl out to him, showing him I’m not going to be jerked around by them any longer.
I can see his mind contemplating whether to listen to the townie he pulled one over on or sit. He falls back into his chair and just looks at me. “And what is that, Bo?” If looks could kill, I’d be dead.
I raise my eyebrow. “How would it affect you and all of your endeavors, and let me not forget your marriage, if everyone happened to find out about the illegitimate son you had with your housekeeper from an affair?”
His lips spread, not from a smile, more of a sneer. “You don’t have the balls.” He leans back in his chair, spreading his legs.
“See, Todd, where you’re wrong is I have bigger balls than you.
I’ll implode your whole fucking life when it comes to my family.
You saw my parents at their weakest and struck like a predator, thinking I’d be stupid enough to not catch on.
Then for you to use Molly and this sham of marriage over my head, you’d have to try harder.
I have nothing to hide from anyone. My nose is clean, unlike yours and your wife and daughter.
I know about you going to the businesses in Driftwood Bay trying to strong-arm them.
I know about everything. From the very beginning… ” I pause, “starting with August Cove.”
Taking a huge puff of his cigar, his cheeks suck in and out, hollowed with each pull, before blowing the smoke out. “You’re going to run me out of Driftwood Bay?” His voice hitches with amusement.
“I’m not going to run you anywhere. As I said, I care about my family and making it right.”
Dropping the cigar into the ashtray, folding his hands together, he says, “I’m not letting a stupid townie run anything.”
I smile. “Well, this stupid townie knows for a fact that the only stipulation on your prenup is cheating. If found cheating, Kate gets over half of the estate, essentially wiping you out…because you needed to get laid by someone other than your wife.” I laugh.
“All it takes is me going to Calvin and a quick cheek swab and, bam, less than four weeks, your wife knows it all.” I act as if I’ve already spoken with Calvin; I need him to think I got everything in motion, and with one pull, it all blows up for him.
Todd just stares at me. I see his mind spinning, trying to come up with a plan, but he knows everything is in my court. People like Todd; their money is everything. Try to mess with it, and that is when hell breaks loose. Screw the family, the wife. It’s the money for them.
“What do you want, Bo?” He spits the name that Molly started calling me.
“I want the contract canceled, burned, and the deed in my hands.” I lift my shoulder. “It’s easy, leave mine alone, and I’ll leave yours.”
Todd steeples his fingers, just watching me. “I should have never listened to Molly.”
I don’t show him those words got me, but I think he can see it; I’m met with his smile.
“Like father, like daughter. Molly has been playing the long game, Bo. And you were it. She’s the one who put everything into motion.
When you scorn a woman, just know no matter how long it takes, they don’t forget or stop until they see fit. ”
My mind flashes back to Molly on the beach, me using her to hurt August, and then Molly’s face when I pulled away from her that same night, telling her she was a means to an end.
We were young; I was stupid and hurt, so I hurt her, and she waited on bated breath to get back at me in a way I never saw coming.
But his words should also scare himself. Because he has millions on the verge of burning if I tell his wife everything I know.
My lips turn downward, my head nodding. “Well, look at her, then. But I guess everything got blown to pieces when August came back to town.” I smile widely at him.
But know, Calvin coming to town will blow yours up.
” Pushing my chair back from the table, I stand up.
“I expect the deed in my hand by the end of the week. And if not, your secret will be released to your wife.” I pull my phone from my suit pocket and hit stop.
His face turns a shade of red I have never seen before when he sees I’ve been recording our conversation this whole time.
“She’s not the only one who plays the long game. ”
Not saying another word, I go to the bedroom to change out of this too-tight suit and throw on my regular clothes, backpack in hand. My only thought is getting to August.
Slamming the condo door behind me, I wait impatiently for the elevator, hearing the front door open. “Bo? Where are you going?” Her voice is accusatory.
Spinning around, I greet her with a huge smile. “Back to my town, where I belong.”
She narrows her eyes at me. “Why didn’t you say bye?”
I motion between her and me, “We're done. We’ve been done, and I know it was all your plan that you put into motion on the marina.”
Her mouth drops open, shaking her head. “No, Bo, it isn’t like that.”
Laughing loudly, “You didn’t switch documents on my parents and then try to blackmail me to marry you?”
“I love you,” she cries.
“You love the idea of using me. You love getting one over on people. You love yourself, Molly. I don’t think I ever loved you.
” I watch tears stream down her face. “Save them.
You wanted me to think your father was the mastermind behind it all, but it was you.
You can thank your dad for letting me know that fact.
The elevator dings and I walk in, turning around, eyes looking straight through her. As she stands there in complete shock, everything she built falls around her.
I hop on my bike and notice the time. The ferry will be closed once I get to the port, but I decide to head that way anyway and just wait until they reopen it at four AM. I’m ready to get back to where I belong.
I’m in my own thoughts of what to do next when I take the curb, my tire catches on something, and I slide…