Tied to His Betrayal (Dirty Little Secrets 2)

“I’m not asking for your help,” my father corrects harshly. “But you have the money, and the decision to invest is a good move.”

On one hand, I can only stare at him, dumbfounded by the audacity of this man. On the other hand, I knew the day my name had been printed in Forbes Magazine, my father would use our connection to increase his wealth. I know that because that’s exactly what I would do, too. A businessman keeps emotion out of business, and this is good business.

“So, you want my money?” I want that to be clear.

“I want your business because it will further mine.” He rises from his seat and moves to the door. “And Darius?” When he reaches the door, he turns back to me. “I’m handing you a lucrative deal with a pretty red bow. You have until next Tuesday to accept before I take my generosity elsewhere.”

Taylor

In the early afternoon, I reach into my suitcase and pull out a pair of my jeans, placing them in the empty dresser drawer. “You didn’t need to take the day off,” I call out to Allie. “Aren’t there houses to sell and money to be made?”

“There are always houses to sell,” she replies, entering the bedroom with new sheets in her hands. “But Liv”—Allie’s assistant and good friend—“handled the showing I had lined up this morning so that I could help you get settled in.”

Guilt tightens my throat, and I barely manage, “You don’t need to help me settle in.”

Allie snorts, moving past me to the other side of the bed. “I think last night proves enough you need a good kick in the ass.” She drops the sheets onto the end table, giving me a look. “When I said you could stay here, I didn’t mean that you had to sleep on the couch. The condo is yours for as long as you need it.” She flicks out the fitted sheet over the queen-sized mattress.

I grab the opposite end and tuck a corner under the mattress. “But it’s really expensive here. I can’t…”

“Oh, my God, Taylor, would you just stop it?” Allie tucks the other corner under the mattress until the sheet pulls tight. “I know you need a little help right now, and that’s all right.” She grabs the top sheet and then flicks it out over the bed, continuing to frown at me. “And you know that I don’t need the money, so don’t even think about that, okay?”

Well, no, she doesn’t. Not only has Darius given her a very nice trust fund, which I know she actually never touched because she likes making her own way, but now she’s dating a billionaire, who I imagine spoils her rotten.

The only thing I have right now is debt up to my eyeballs.

“Okay,” I say, even though my stomach roils. I’ve never needed anyone’s help. I’ve always been that kid—the one who made her parents proud, the one who worked hard and had a job since she was in her teens. But with a big outstanding loan and my credit card debt racked up high from my last relationship, I know there isn’t a hope in hell I could pay for my portion of rent so she could cover the mortgage. “I won’t be here long. Promise. Just until I’m back on my feet.”

Allie smooths out the top sheet and then slides the duvet onto the bed. “I haven’t even decided what to do with the condo yet anyway, so there’s no rush.”

I reach for the duvet, helping her settle it in place. “I figured after moving in with Micah you would sell it?”

She grabs the pillow and puts the case on, half shrugging. “I’m thinking I should maybe wait until I know for sure that Micah and I mesh well living together before I do anything that official.”

“Probably a smart idea.” Their relationship hasn’t exactly been an easy road, but I’ve also never seen Allie’s eyes twinkle like they do when Micah is around. They love each other hard. But more than anyone, I know that sometimes love just isn’t enough.

Once the bed is made, I turn to my bag again and grab my T-shirts to put away, when Allie asks, “Has Shawn called yet?”

“A few times, but I haven’t answered and then the phone calls stopped.” I place the T-shirts in the drawer. “I’m guessing he probably won’t call again either, which is for the best. The last thing I need is Mom and Dad finding out about this.”

“You know, it’s nothing to be ashamed of.” Allie drops down onto the bed, the mattress squeaking beneath her. “You stood up for yourself, kicked him where he should’ve been kicked, and then left. You should be proud of that.”

I stay focused on unpacking, not wanting to look into Allie’s eyes. There are things Allie doesn’t really understand about me. She hadn’t lived my life with my perfect parents, who never did anything wrong. And to this day, I still don’t want to disappoint them. “I am proud of myself, but I’d really rather keep them out of this.” I also don’t want them to know how many failures I’ve had, and that no matter how many times I try to get it right, I keep getting it wrong.

That doesn’t make me proud at all.

Obviously picking up on my discomfort, Allie hastily changes the subject. “So, tell me, what’s it like seeing Darius again? It’s been, what…?”

“Five years,” I reply without a hitch.

When Allie’s eyebrows rise, I’m not surprised. I probably shouldn’t know exactly how long Darius and I have been apart. “And to answer your question, it’s weird seeing him again. He’s like my best friend. Like, even though I haven’t seen him in so long, it seems as if little time has passed and I feel like I’m nineteen all over again. And yet…”

She smiles, twirling her hair around her fingers. “He’s more than a best friend, and so much has happened in these last five years.”

“Yeah, exactly.” I sigh, placing my undergarments in the top drawer before shutting it tight. We don’t talk details about Darius because he is her brother, but we’ve always talked about me in the relationship and that’s always worked for us. “To be honest, I need a little me time, so I think it’s probably best if I limit Darius time for right now.” Because Darius confuses me. He’s too safe, too strong, and too comfortable. I gotta find my own strength now, not lean on his.

“I’m sure Darius respects that and will keep his distance,” Allie says softly. “I think out of anyone, he knows that you don’t really want to be around him.”