Hold Me Tight(60)

“Oh, really? And what would that be?” I huff, feeling queasy at his implication.

“Power,” he croons into the phone. “Ever since you were a teenager, you craved it. I saw the way you eyed me up when you thought I wasn’t looking. And it’s not like I didn’t think about it. Having a young girl like you around certainly got my libido going. But you were too dangerous. I knew I could never touch you or your mother would be on me in a heartbeat. Yet there was always something there between us, wasn’t there?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I mutter, biting down hard on my lip and closing my eyes.

“Oh Lauren,” Conrad sighs deeply. “You never fail to disappoint me.”

I feel like he’s tangling me into knots. I’ve always sought his approval. Sometimes he’s generous in his praise of me, and other times he withholds it, making me jump through whatever hoops he sets up. For me, gaining the attention of the opposite sex has always been a mind game. Men are always interested, but I never seem to be their first choice. In the end, they always find someone they think is better, and I’m sick of it.

First, Conrad chose Cassidy over me. Then Eric chose Ivy. They never wanted me. I’m always pushed aside. No one ever wants me. Why would they? I’m worthless. I’m nothing.

All of these emotions come rushing back. The ones I’ve tried so desperately to keep at bay. Conrad knows my weakness. He knows he can get me to do anything for him, even kill for him if it’ll warrant his love. That’s all I’ve ever wanted—to be loved. But it’s never come easily. I’ve always had to do things I regret in order to get it.

But I could be the head of Price Enterprises one day. Then no one will make me beg for what’s mine. Finally, I’ll be the boss. I’ll take what I want. I won’t be denied a thing.

This is my final test. If I can just do this, I’ll earn Conrad’s respect once and for all. He’ll never question my devotion again. I’ll save him from those trying to destroy him. I’ll silence his enemies and make sure his secret stays hidden.

And he’ll owe it all to me. I’ll be his savior, his champion and protector. We all do things we’re not proud of to get where we want to be. It’s never a straight shot to the top. You have to bend the rules and take a few people down in order to secure your place in this world. That’s what Conrad’s taught me all along, the type of values he’s instilled in me. A woman has to be tough to survive in a man’s domain, and that’s a sentiment even my mother would agree with.

Tim forfeited his own life. He knew he had to keep quiet, and he didn’t. So his blood’s not on my hands. He threw it all away by running over there and involving Eric in something that should have remained buried. He didn’t need to know he wasn’t the father of Cassidy’s baby. He didn’t need to know it was my stepfather.

Because now Eric will never want to be with me, no matter what happens to Ivy. Tim ruined that for me. I’m tarnished in his eyes now, an accomplice in Conrad’s deceit. It’s the worst thing that could have happened. Tim doesn’t know what he’s done. He has to pay, and I’m the one who will deliver the vengeance he so richly deserves. I have nothing left to lose. He took Eric from me. He deserves to die.

Conrad’s right. I made the mistake of trusting him, and now I must render his punishment. I let my stepfather down. Something I swore I’d never do. I have to fix this while I still can before they go and tell somebody. I have to protect Conrad. I have to.

“Consider it done,” I declare, making my solemn vow.

“That’s my good girl,” Conrad exults, even as I fail to realize he had me right where he wanted me all along.





Chapter Twenty-One

Ivy

“You guys, wake up! You’re not going to believe this!”

“Is that Will?” Eric mumbles, half asleep. He doesn’t move a muscle. Instead, he’s content to remain spread across me in bed.

“Yep,” I reply, opening my eyes and realizing that it’s still dark out. Why is Will up well before dawn…on a Sunday?

“He better not even think about coming up here,” Eric growls as we hear Will’s footsteps and Shep’s jangling collar climb the stairs simultaneously.

We’re nowhere close to being naked, but Eric is extremely territorial when it comes to what goes on in our bedroom. To him, my body is for his eyes only. It doesn’t matter that Will’s gay. It doesn’t matter that Will’s seen me in less. Eric doesn’t want any man getting a glimpse of what’s his—even if something really terrible is happening and we need to know about it. Yep, my man is crazy like that.