My Cruel Lover (Wicked Poison 3)

“Well, I just want you to know I approve. I’ve seen the type he’s usually with, and believe me, I approve.” She pulls her bag higher on her shoulder as she turns to walk out. “Not that you need my approval … I’m just saying. He isn’t as bad as you would think, I mean. He’s pretty amazing and highly supportive. If you need someone to cheer you on, he isn’t it, but if you need someone to tell you exactly how it is, he’s your man.”

“Must be nice having people,” I say, and her smile drops. It’s then I realize how depressing that sounds.

Rylee lays a gentle hand on my shoulder. “You have people, whether you want them or not.” She winks. “I know you said your parents died, but you don’t have any other family?”

“No, none. I am an only child, the same as my parents. And their parents died when I was eleven. So … no, no one else.”

“Well, that just proves how resilient and strong you are that you’ve gotten so far by yourself. But you know we’re family, right? You need something … you come to me.” I nod, and she gives me a cuddle before she leaves.

I shut the door and lean against it.

I never had what she has.

I’m not used to sharing burdens.

When my parents died, I had just turned eighteen and found out I was pregnant with Oliver. I tried coming back to be with Anderson because surely, he would want his son in his life. I had no one, and my hopes were high.

But they were demolished.

And I soon realized I am the only one I can depend on.

I loved my parents, and they meant the world to me. They gave me as much as they could without spoiling me, and they showed me endless love and support.

It’s the way I plan to raise Oliver.

They would have loved him.

I wipe a tear from my eye and go to his room to see him playing. He may look like Anderson, but I’m thankful he isn’t anything like him.

“It seems I may have overstepped my boundaries.” I stop at that voice on Monday morning as I walk into the office building. Archie rushes into the elevator with me, hits the button for Beckham’s floor, and looks straight ahead. “I wanted to apologize if I came off …” he turns his head away from me as he tries to think of the correct words to say, “… harsh. Scary.” He smirks, and that action by itself is scary, and I try hard not to recoil.

“You weren’t. It’s fine. You’re simply looking out for him when in reality, everyone should look out for their own feelings around Beckham. He doesn’t care what he says or who he hurts.”

“This is true.” Archie softly chuckles as the door to the elevator opens, and he exits with me.

Beckham’s office door opens, and Beckham stands there, eyeing both of us before his gaze locks on Archie. “What the fuck are you doing here?” he barks.

“See, he’s a wonder with words.”

I smile and head off to sit at my desk.

“I need your help with a deal,” Archie says. Beckham motions to his office and Archie walks straight in. When it’s just the two of us remaining, Beckham turns to me. “You’re late,” he snips.

I check my watch. “No, I’m on time, as usual.”

“You are meant to be here when I am, so … you’re late.” He pivots and walks back to his office, shutting the door behind him.

An hour passes before Archie exits and gives me a small smile on his way out.

“Jacinta,” Beckham yells.

With a sigh, I slide on my heels before I walk into his office. When I get there, he’s focusing on his computer.

“I need the files for Archie’s account. I want you to sort them and bring me everything from the last two years.” I nod and walk out, going straight to the filing room. I find the files straight away. There is a massive note on the front warning that they’re for Beckham’s eyes only. I take a seat on the filing room floor, sorting through them until I get the ones I want.

Someone coughs above me.

“Why the fuck are you on the floor?” I look down at the piles of paperwork scattered all around me. Most of our files are on the computer, but Beckham prefers to have physical ones too, in case the computers crash. I was told his father taught him that.

I don’t even bother with an answer, just push my hand up in the air toward him and hand him the files he wants. When he takes them, I go back to sorting the ones that are left.

Beckham is good. All of Archie’s money looks legit. But from what I’ve heard, it is anything but.