Cruel Summer

“Such a stupid little girl,” he says, shaking his head. “I knew that the information Diamond was feeding you wasn’t the truth.”

I lift one of my hands to point at all the files. “No, he was telling me the truth, the proof is right fucking there.” I lower my hand back to the arm rest when it starts shaking uncontrollably.

“He gave you the truth that he knew,” he clarifies, leaning down and placing his big hands over mine, applying pressure. “His father never told him what really happened because then he’d have to admit to his son how sick and depraved he really is.”

What?

Suddenly, I have an overwhelming sense of cluelessness. My brows pull together as I look up at Giovanni. “What are you saying?”

He leans even closer, his lips brushing over mine, making my heart rate tick in a way that I hate. He trails his lips along my cheek before they stop right at my ear, his breath warm on my skin. “Dox never told Diamond the real truth because then he’d have to confess that he isn’t just your uncle.”

My heart stops and the room swims.

No. He doesn’t… He can’t mean…

“Maddox Hawthorne was in love with his sister. He isn’t just your uncle, he’s your father too.”