Wildcard: Volume Two

“To fuck with me. To ruin my life. The same thing he always wants.”

Always wants?

She told me he left when she got pregnant at sixteen. I hate doubting her, but I can’t help wondering what other lies she’s told me. I grunt and sit forward.

Do I trust her? Can I, after all this?

“Why couldn’t you have told me this before? I don’t understand why let me think you were together. Do you have any idea how that felt?”

She bows her head and sighs. “I’m sorry. He isn’t a good guy, Ryder. I didn’t want to drag you into this.”

“But now you do?” I laugh.

“It’s better than you hating me,” she retorts.

I guess it is.

“Where is he now?”

She shrugs. “ I don’t know. Probably following me.”

“What about Jake?” I ask, alarmed.

“He’s fine. He’s staying with a friend until I can figure out what to do.”

“Go to the police,” I say. “Get a restraining order on this wanker.”

“It’s not that simple,” she mutters softly.

“Why not?” I press. What isn’t she telling me?

“It just isn’t. Ryder, I’m not here for you to solve my problems, okay? I just needed you to know the truth. If you still want nothing to do with me, then I understand, but—”

She gasps as I reach forward and grab her hand, yanking her onto my lap.

“Do you have any idea how fucking crazy I’ve been feeling the past few days?” I mutter, kissing her lips. “Stay here. Spend the night with me.” My hand creeps around her neck as I pull her into another kiss.

She sighs, cuddling up against me. “I can’t get you involved in this.” She shakes her head.

“Scar,” I whisper, kissing her nose. “I am involved. I’m a big boy. I can handle myself, okay?”

We spend the rest of the evening getting reacquainted. We snuggle on the couch, the TV on in the background as I rake my fingers through her silky hair. She smiles, her eyes closing.

“The media might try and run with this story of us,” I mutter, kissing her neck. “Is that going to cause problems for you with...what’s his name?”

“Tony. Maybe. I don’t know. He’s not a good guy, Ryder.”

I kiss her neck again. That’s the second time she’s said that. I wonder what he wants from her? My first thought is money. If he thinks we’re together, then he might be trying to blackmail her.

But what could he have on her?

There’s no point asking her because she’s determined that this is her mess. Or maybe she’s determined to keep whatever he has on her hidden from me. I push the thought from my mind.

> Her past is just that: her past. The only things I care about are the present and the future. And I want her to be part of both.

“I don’t want you being home by yourself, Scar. Stay here. Bring Jake here too. You must hate being away from him. This penthouse has three bedrooms.”

“It’s too much—”