Sheltered, privileged… Anabelle Jones was still young, and, I couldn’t help but think, she was also a little naive. I wasn’t her savior, no matter how much I wanted to be, but maybe, after he swept in, I could be someone to her. “Why didn’t you ever try to find me then?”
Because I was behind bars.
Because I was surviving on the streets.
Because your mother got married and changed your name.
I didn’t say any of that, and instead dared to reach out and cup her cheek. She leaned into the touch at first, her skin soft and warm, then she suddenly stepped back, expectantly looking at me.
“You were a child, and so was I. Besides, after your mother got me in trouble, I didn’t… I didn’t think about much besides punishing her. When I finally found her I didn’t know what to do… And then I came here, and all I could think about was ruining her life.”
She nodded. “Understandable.” Fluttering her lashes, she arched her brows at me. “How did you manage to get into a Country Club with all those tats?”
Because Beckett had paid for me, but I didn’t want her to know I had a sponsor. “They needed a barkeeper because something happened to the old one. They looked for someone with charm who would keep the ladies entertained and the alcohol flowing.”
She snorted. “I can see you rocking that job. Are you still working there?”
I wanted to lie and tell her I did, but no. I’d stopped after getting Corinne exactly where I wanted to have her.
Frankly, I had enjoyed the job even with all the older ladies trying to pick me up. “No. I had other things coming up, and I usually don’t stay long in one place. Besides, your mother did exactly what I wanted her to do, so why let the other ladies grope me?”
Her face fell. “I’m sorry. I swear, Silvercrest is rotten to the core, and no one even sees it because of all the bling.”
I grinned at her. “Well, because of us two at least one person’s dark secrets will be revealed, right?”
She just mirrored my grin, giving me the only answer I needed.
Chapter Four
Belle
I unlocked the door, forcing a laugh as if my companion had said the funniest thing ever.
“Anabelle? Is that you?”
I closed my eyes for a moment, then forced a smile. “Yes, Mom, and I want you to meet someone!” A week had passed since Kip had walked into my life, and we’d posted a lot of fake pictures on all my social media accounts. I didn’t know if my mom had seen them, but I almost had no doubt.
After all, I knew he and I were the talk of the entire school, and that would make us also talk of the school’s parents.
Oh, life in the high society was fun.
Rumors made their rounds, and most of them were lies.
Others Kip and I decided to cultivate and make them grow.
Like how he’d been in prison and was a seriously bad guy.
Upside to that was the fact that people bowed out of my way now, and even Harlyn was somewhat amicable.
Kip’s hand slipped into mine and I gave him a winning smile. Sometimes I had the feeling he forgot that this was nothing more than a game, but didn’t comment on it. Instead, we now were ready to see how my mom would handle this.
She appeared, as done up as ever, and her eyes grew wide to saucers.
“Mom, this is Kip. Kip, this is my mother, Corinne Jones.”
Kip held out his hand, waiting, but my mother was frozen, staring at him. “Kip?” She echoed and I wondered if it settled in with her whom exactly she’d had in her bed.
“Yes, ma’am. Alexander Kipleton really, but people call me Kip.” He wrapped his arms around me from behind, and if I wouldn’t have known my mother used to sleep with him, I wouldn’t have been able to tell they knew each other.
“I just met him a couple of weeks ago, but isn’t he just…” I pressed my lips together, pretending to be shy. “You know, a really nice guy.”
She crossed her arms in front of her chest, making her breasts stick up higher.
As if the fake boobs needed the extra support to be perky. “Aren’t you the guy who slept with the yoga instructor? In our home?”
I turned to him, pretending to be in utter shock. “You? The yoga instructor? No, that can’t be, right?” I touched his face. “You wouldn’t sleep with her. She’s married!”
My mother coughed behind me and Kip held my eyes, the dark soft like melted chocolate. “I just have eyes for you. Besides, where would I meet a yoga teacher?”
Releasing a relieved breath, I cuddled into him. “See, mom? You’re mistaken. I was wondering if Kip can stay for dinner today.”
Outside a car door slammed shut and I almost smiled because everything was coming together so perfectly.
“What?”
I didn’t think I’d ever seen my mother flustered like she was right there.
“Can Kip stay for dinner tonight, mom? You know, my boyfriend?” The door behind me opened just as my mother all but screamed an angry ‘no’.
“What? Why not? Corinne, she’s old enough. She can have a boyfriend. Of course you can stay. I’m Corey Jones, Anabelle’s stepfather.” He held out his hand to Kip and this time around it was the bad boy who looked flustered.
“I… Nice to meet you, Sir. I’m Alexander Kipleton, but people call me Kip.”
Corey shook his hand. “I love a strong grip. And now, why would there be a problem with Belle’s boyfriend dining with us?” He turned his eyes on his wife, waiting, and I took Kip’s side again, loving the way he was fidgeting now.
“Worried he’ll punch you?” I asked innocently and he shook his head, pleading me to drop the topic for now.
My mother still gritted her teeth, while Corey clearly was in a
