Nolan
My conversation with Kieran keeps on running through my head over and over again.
I know to some extent that he's right, but he doesn't know that I got so deep into gambling that I couldn't find my way out again. I went a little crazy with the partying lifestyle and for a while I was practically living in Vegas, just racking up more and more debt.
Hey, you can't win all the time—but I thought I was fucking invincible. Imagine how bad it must have been for me to go crawling to Percy for help. I made the mistake of telling him my secrets one drunken night.
He's the kind of guy you never want to lose your wits around with. You have to keep up your guard whenever you’re with Percy—the guy’s constantly plotting and scheming for a way to pull you down.
It doesn't matter who you are: if he can manipulate you in any way to his advantage then he’ll fucking do it. He’s a douchebag, yes, but he’s a smart douchebag. He knows how to dig up dirt on people like no one I've ever seen.
I confided to him about my money problems and it was the biggest fucking mistake of my life. He acted all cool and caring and he took care of the debts, but now he’s using it as my potential financial ruin. Holding it over my head. Fucking blackmailing me.
Fuck. I hate being in my father's house like this, at odds with my brother and being Percy’s goddamn lapdog. He's always been the enemy and now, unfortunately, I find myself on his side. Not by choice, nor my alignment with his values, but out of fucking obligation.
Because of him, I’ve lost my brothers. But how could I ever reveal to them how sorely mismanaged my life is?
It's impossible. I have more pride than that.
To make things more complicated, the other part of my mind is fixated on Stacy.
I really hate that she probably sees me as Percy's helper. I personally will never condone what he's doing to her. I don't know what the details of the situation are between them, but one thing is certain: I will find a way to protect Stacy, even if it means my own disgrace.
That girl is fucking perfect.
I've seen a lot of women, especially during my time in Vegas. None compares to her. I wasn’t expecting such a gorgeous woman to enter my life, but fucking hell, I want to make myself thoroughly acquainted with her in every possible way.
I’ve made up my mind—I will fuck her brains out before I'm finished here. She hasn't had a true man until she's had me. Of that I’m certain. One taste of my cock and she'll be eating out of the palm of my hand, begging for more.
I’m upstairs in the main loft considering all of this when I start to hear the screaming.
Stacy.
I have one thought—I have to get to her. I fly down the stairs and follow the noise. It's coming from the dining room at the end of the hall. I go down the grand corridor, anxious to find her, to make sure she's okay.
Finally, I get there. Swinging open the large, carved, wooden doors, I see them both sitting at opposite ends of the mahogany table. The thing must extend twenty feet. She’s at one end, crying, and Percy's at the other berating her to death.
"You fucking whore,” he rails. “I would never have brought you here if I knew what a slut you would be with my brothers. I swear to God, if you tell them one single goddamn thing about me, I will destroy you. Got it?"
She's crying and she looks like a total mess. It makes me crazy that Percy’s brought her to this.
"What the fuck, Percy? She doesn't deserve this.” I tell him, rage making my blood boil. “Aren't you supposed to be fucking married to her?"
I go to her side and try to comfort her. I still don’t really know her, but she’s so fucking beautiful. All I want to do is to sweep her up in my arms and take her away from this asshole.
She deserves so much better.
I wipe her tears away. "Are you okay?"
She draws in a shaky breath. "No, Nolan. I’m not okay. None of this is okay."
"Don't fucking talk to her, Nolan. She’s my wife," Percy tells me, menace in his eyes, but I just shoot him a death glare.
"Fuck, Percy. Don't be such an asshole. We all know it's a hoax anyway. Let’s be real. There's no fucking way she’s pregnant."
"Fuck you, Nolan. I dare you to defy me. You better watch out or you’ll be ruined…and I think we both know what that means."
Fucking bastard. He knows he has me right where he wants me, but I'm over it. All I care about now is comforting Stacy, the poor girl. I want to take her out of here.
Instead, I say, "Percy, just fucking leave. You have what you want. You've tormented her enough. Now get the fuck out."
"You better watch it, Nolan, or I promise you that our little deal will be over. All it takes is one phone call from me to end your life."
"Shut the fuck up!" I'm in his face now and he cowers, but continues to hurl insults at Stacy.
"She's a whore! She's already fucked every man walking around this place. How could you ever want a trash like that? You know, I'm almost sorry I married her."
I shove him out of the room and lock the doors. I hear him telling me again that I better be careful. He's probably right—I do need to watch my step because I know he won't hesitate to pull my funding. I'll be in deeper debt with guys in Vegas, and they’re the last people you want to owe anything to.
But Stacy is all I want to think about now. Not my debt. Not the blackmail. Certainly not fucking Percy.
I want to help her and taste her and fuck her. I'll help her forget this nightmare. Hell, she’ll help me forget it too.