“Confused or not, he tried to take what belongs to me.”

“First, I’m not your property, Keiran. Second, he cannot take what I am not willing to give.”

“It doesn’t matter anymore anyway.” I could hear the frustration in his tone and could picture him running his hands down his face in that way he did that said he was ready to kill something… or someone.

I knew the risk I was taking by coming onto Lake, but she had been wrong. If she had offered, I would have taken because it was about her. I was willing to go that far because I knew what she meant to Keiran. I wasn’t a good person and tonight proved that.

I moved away and quietly entered my bedroom only to see a figure lying in the darkness. Light breathing filled the room, and I realized whoever it was must have been asleep. I crept slowly toward the sleeping form until I was standing at the head of my bed.

It was Di.

The daughter of the man my brother—Keiran—sent to prison.

I shook her none too gently and waited for her eyes to pop open. When they did, a terror I hadn’t expected flooded her expression when her gaze landed on me. She quickly backed away and then thrust her hands out to ward me off. I never moved from my spot, so I wondered what she could possibly be afraid of.

“Why are you in here?”

At the sound of my voice, her head tilted to the side in recognition though her eyes still appeared lost. “Keenan?”

Her husky voice sounded like sex, and I got the idea that she could be a phone sex operator, but then scratched it in my head before it could fully form. She was too sexy to be confined to a phone. A body like hers was made to be on display. Maybe that’s why her father pimped her out.

And I thought I was fucked up.

She brushed her dark hair out of her face and stared at me with her wide eyes and even wider lips. I considered fucking her for a moment but quickly nixed it. The scent and feel of Sheldon were both still evident on my cock, and strangely, I didn’t want anything to taint that. At least until I took a shower.

“What are you doing back here?” she asked when I turned away.

“I live here.”

“If Keiran sees you—”

I slammed the dresser drawer after retrieving what I came for and turned on her. “Don’t categorize me with the spineless fucks who tremble at the sight of him. I’m not afraid of him.”

“Obviously. You guys fucked each other up pretty good,” she grinned.

“Later.” I made for the door but, of course, she had to keep going.

“Wait,” she whispered loudly. “You look like someone who is running away. Where are you going?”

“Away from here.”

“Where is away?”

“I don’t know yet.”

“Can I come?”

“Are you serious? Fuck no.”

“I can make it worth your while. You will need money. I have it, but it’s at home. I just need you to get me there.”

I had to admit I was intrigued. My eighteenth birthday had passed three months ago, and I’d yet to receive my inheritance. I sure as fuck wasn’t about to sit around and wait for it like some spoiled rich kid. I wanted no ties or obligations to my family. “How much money are we talking?”

Her smile spread even wider. “Enough to live free.”

CHAPTER TWO

FOUR YEARS LATER

SHELDON

“PENCILS DOWN. TIME is up. Please turn in your testing materials and have a great summer, everyone.”

The classroom came alive with students rushing to turn in tests and start their summer. I blew out what little breath was left in my lungs, shouldered my bag, and headed to the front where the tests were being turned in. Finals were officially over, and in two weeks, I graduate. Sometimes, I still can’t believe it’s been four years.

They say time flies when you’re having fun.

It might have been true except these last four years had been anything but fun.

“So how do you think you did?” Cool lips pressed against my neck as my bag was taken from my shoulder and slung onto a broad shoulder covered in dark cotton.

Eric Spencer was the one who every girl with a romantic heart dreamed of as her Mr. Right.

Sandy brown hair tangled in riotous curls complemented the twinkling green eyes staring down at me. He had good ole boy written all over him.

His hard body was free of tattoos.

He came from a good, wholesome family.

He was kind, sweet, and romantic.

And most importantly, he had not a disloyal bone in his body. We’ve dated for almost a year now and never had I suffered from jealousy or insecurity. He was perfect.