Page 6 of Wicked Truths
I nod slowly. “Yeah, that sounds good.”
“And…” He hesitates slightly before continuing, “you can sleep in the spare room at my place after the party. Dom mentioned he and Helena will be in Victoria for the weekend.”
My heart races as our eyes lock. I know what he’s implying, and for a moment I want it as everything else fades into his gaze.
“That works,” I say carefully, keeping my voice steady.
“Oh! That’ll be wonderful!” Mother interrupts as she struts back into the house like a queen surveying her domain. “You and Poppy will have a great time together.”
Caleb clears his throat and gives her a tight smile while my insides twist with irritation.
Can’t she take a hint?
“Thanks for coming by,” she adds brightly before disappearing into the kitchen.
As soon as she’s gone, Caleb leans closer to me, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. “I’m looking forward to you staying.”
My teeth scrape over my bottom lip as I try to contain a grin.
The warmth from his body radiates towards me; I fight against wanting to lean into him. “Are you?”
“Oh, and Caleb.” Helena comes back from the kitchen with a glass of champagne in her hand. “Don’t be keeping my husband out all night. We have a flight tomorrow.”
I don’t wait for Caleb to reply. I step away from him and head to the staircase. With each step I take, I feel his eyes burning into me from behind.
“I won’t,” he replies.
“Have a nice game,” I say at the top of the staircase as heat creeps up my neck.
“I’ll try.” He gives me one last lingering look that sends shivers through me. But I have to get to my bedroom. Time is running out.
SweetJusticegave me ten minutes to get online and wait for his instructions.
I check the message on my phone again. Then I connect to the Pampered Princess website, the one I joined to save up enough money to get away from here. To have a normal life, travel the world and have some fun.
Even if it means leaving Caleb behind.
I slip into my room and lock the door, my hands trembling as I pull open my desk drawer. The blonde wig and the baby pink lace mask lie there, a reminder of what I’ve become.
While logging into the Pampered Princess website, my heart pounds against my ribs.
It only slows when I see he’s not online yet.
The door handle jiggles, and I slam the drawer and my laptop shut.
“Amara?” Mother pushes the door open, and I try to steady my breathing. “This door keeps getting stuck?”
“I thought I locked it.” I force a smile, though my insides are twisting.
She perches on the edge of my bed, studying me with those calculating eyes. “I know you think I’m being pushy about Mateo, but I only want what’s best for you.”
My throat tightens. Despite everything, I know she means it. In her own warped way, she wants me safe, protected, even if it’s with a mafia man. “I know, Mom.”
“Good.” She kisses my forehead and leaves, closing the door behind her.
I wait until her footsteps fade down the hallway before reopening the laptop.
My cursor hovers over his profile picture, and my stomach lurches. There I am, standing next to Mr. Anderson outside the fancy restaurant we had lunch at. His arm is around my shoulder as he presses a kiss against my cheek. Funny, but the meeting was innocent, yet SweetJustice believes the picture implies he is my sugar daddy.
