The Entitled (The Entitled Duet 1)

Nodding, I’m slightly nauseous. “Thank God I have you. I feel like a terrible person for dragging you away from Logan, but I can’t do this alone.”

“Sit down and meditate. He’s not finding out tonight anyway.” He stretches out his long legs.

“Exactly,” I mumble, looking down at my trembling hands.

Brance gently grabs them, holding them together tightly. “We are going to get through this.” Taking my bag, he pulls out my pill case and hands me a Valium.

“Thank you.” I won’t cry, I won’t cry. Opening my Fiji water, I swallow the pill.

The jet dips again, and my fingers claw the soft leather armrest. Glancing around, I note this must be a new jet because it is decked out, screaming wealth. Absently I wonder if this is the same one that brought Reed this morning.

Exhausted, I rub my temples, the stress of my sins starting to take its toll. How is this is going to go down? I wonder for the thousandth time as I lean back. Does it matter? With a sigh, I try to slow down my racing pulse. Yes, it matters for them. It matters.

Maybe I should get a lawyer. Maybe he won’t care. After all, it’s been almost four years. He’s never contacted me—he simply moved on. A sob threatens to come out at that thought and I swallow it back. I need to remember all of this! He is not innocent in this nightmare that is our lives. He did end up committing the ultimate betrayal. Right, keep telling yourself that, Tess. The guilt clearly lies at my feet. Closing my eyes, I wonder what would have happened had I done things differently.

“Oh God.” I cover my face, needing to be quiet so I don’t wake them. It upsets them when I cry. I hear the small lull of the jet.

And I can’t help but let my mind drift back. Back to when I never dreamed I would be in this situation. Back when he promised to love me until I died, no matter what.

“Kitten, you feel this?” He places my hand on his heart. “This is all that matters. What I have in here, that’s only ever been for you. I need you to trust me. I will always be here for you. I’ll take care of you. Forever.” His lips claim mine and I feel myself falling so hard for him, my love like a raging fire that can’t ever be contained.

“I want to believe you so badly, Reed. But what if I do something you don’t like?”

He frowns. “I guess that goes both ways. Are you going to leave me if I do something wrong?”

“Never. I will never leave you. I love you.”

“Then you have nothing to worry about. Because there is nothing you could do that I would not be able to forgive.” My eyes pop open. I look around, my breathing harsh. Reaching for the water, I take a swig to cool my hot mouth.

“Liar,” I whisper.TESS

Past – twenty-one years oldFlushing the toilet in our penthouse, I grab ahold of the sink and try to rinse my mouth. Slowly the feeling that I’m going to vomit again passes. With an exhale, I reach for my toothbrush, instantly gagging as I taste the minty paste on my tongue. Frustrated, I continue to brush, ignoring my dry heaves. I rinse my mouth and splash some cold water on my face.

The coolness helps. If I had the energy, I would love to soak in the tub. Maybe later after I take a nap. I don’t even bother looking at myself in the mirror, too scared at what I’ll see.

Slowly I make my way to the kitchen for a bottle of water. I also reach for an electrolyte drink. Maybe a banana would stay down? But I’m tired right now, and all I want is my warm bed.

“Tess? Sweetheart?” Reed gently shakes me.

“No…” I moan. His hand caresses my face.

“Still sick?”

I snuggle into his caress.

“I’m sorry I was gone so long, babe. The meeting with my dad lasted longer than I wanted. I was hoping you were going to be better.”

“Me too. It’s so weird that I’m still sick. Who knew food poisoning would kill me,” I whisper, my eyes still closed. Reed is silent, but I can feel his gaze on me.

“I’m calling Dr. Miller. Two weeks is long enough.”

“It hasn’t been two weeks.” I try to sit up. It’s been three, but who’s counting?

“We need to talk, Kitten.”

I groan again. “Not now, Reed. I’m tired. What time is it?” I glance around our dark bedroom.

“It’s one in the afternoon. How long have you been asleep? Have you eaten anything?”

“I can’t eat!” I snap. “I have the flu.”

“This is enough, Tess. I should have done this days ago.” He stands with his phone, glaring at me.