“Name your price,” I breathe, because I’ll pay just about anything to experience it.

Groaning, he unfastens his arm and I fall back on the mattress. “Don’t fucking tempt me, Bianca.” The look he gives me could melt a glacier. “If I stay in bed with you any longer, your virginity will be gone faster than the coke I’m dealing these rich boys partying on their daddy’s yacht.”

I’m about to ask him why losing my virginity to him would be such a bad thing, but he heads for the bathroom.

Disappointment flickers in my chest when I hear the shower turn on a moment later.

Swear, sometimes holding on to him is like trying to hold on to a cloud.

I debate getting dressed and heading home until he comes back, but I notice Oakley’s cell on the bed.

I manage to swipe it before it times out and the screen locks.

Thinking quick, I pull up Hayley’s name and type out a text.

Oakley: Meet me at the park at nine so we can talk.

It takes Hayley all of one second to respond.

Hayley: I’ll be there.

Another one quickly follows.

Hayley: As usual you’re the only one I can count on. You’re like my knight in shining armor.

I grit my teeth as yet another text comes through. Clingy bitch.

Hayley: I really don’t know what I’d do without you.

Rolling my eyes, I swiftly delete the exchange.

And then, I join my man in the shower.

The look on Hayley’s face when I step out of my car is priceless.

“I’m sorry, were you expecting someone else?” I taunt as I walk over to the bench she’s sitting on.

Her eyes narrow into tiny slits. “What are you doing here?”

I place my hands on my hips. “Look, I’m gonna make this real simple. Oakley and I are together now, so if you know what’s good for you, you’ll leave him the fuck alone and stop blowing up his phone with your desperate little lies.”

Crossing her arms, she stands. “And if I don’t?”

Given the bitch is well aware that her father is responsible for my mother’s death, there’s no point beating around the bush.

“I’ll not only tell everyone that your father took advantage of one of his patients and do everything in my power to have his license revoked…I’ll inform your mom he’s an adulterating piece of shit.” I flash her some teeth. “Oh, and I’ll release the videos I have of you doing the kinds of things disgusting old men would love to jerk their pathetic little cocks to for years to come.”

Hayley doesn’t look the least bit worried by my threat. “No, you won’t. Because then you’d have to admit to everyone that your mother was nothing but a psycho whore…just like her daughter.”

My hand is wrapped around her throat so quick it takes us both by surprise. “Say that again,” I urge, tightening my grip. “I fucking dare you.”

“Do it,” she croaks. “Put me out of my misery.”

For a moment, I debate granting her wish, but quickly come to the realization that burying her body somewhere they’ll never find it is going to take some strategic planning on my part and she’s honestly not worth the effort or the potential jail time.

Begrudgingly, I release my hold on her. “How the hell can you stand there and defend someone like him?”

I’m not being rhetorical either. I’m genuinely curious how someone can still manage to love someone like that.

“I’m not defending him.” Her face is filled with sadness as she rubs the red spot on her neck. “I’m just good at keeping his secrets.”

I’m not sure what that means. However, the crestfallen look in her eyes makes something in my chest twist.

“I have no idea what that me—”

“Of course, you don’t,” she spits. “Consider yourself lucky.”

My mother used to tell me I was too intuitive for my own good.

And right now, my Spidey senses can’t stop a horrible thought from pummeling me.

An unspeakable, revolting thought that makes my stomach bottom out.

“Hayley.” It’s a struggle to say the words. “Did he—”

“Why do you care?” She snorts. “Oh, that’s right. You don’t. You just want the sick gratification of being able to tell everyone that my daddy used to crawl into my room every night.”

A sick, ugly feeling spreads throughout my chest. I always knew her dad was terrible for what he did to my mom, and his wife…but he’s even worse than I could fathom.

“I won’t tell anyone,” I whisper, my mind breaking off in a thousand different directions “But I really think you should. I’ll even go with you if you want.”

I’m not her biggest fan, but I’m willing to put that aside if she needs someone for support.

Hell, I’d do just about anything to help her get through this.

“No.”

“Why not?”

I can’t comprehend why she’d want to keep something like this silent.

Then again, I’ve never been molested.

I used to think my life was as fucked-up as it gets, but as it turns out…things could have been worse.

Way worse.

Blowing out a shaky breath, she wipes her glistening eyes with the back of her sleeve. “Not that I expect you to understand, but he’s still my dad.” She averts her gaze, like she’s ashamed of her next words. “And deep down there’s a part of me that still loves him. Despite the bad things he’s done and all the pain he’s caused me.”

I understand that more than she thinks.

“I get it,” I whisper.

We stew in the heavy silence for what feels like hours before she speaks again.

“Please don’t tell anyone about what he did to me, Bianca. I’ve never told anyone and—”

“Your secret is safe with me.” My insides tighten uncomfortably. “But I really think you should tell someone.”

She gives her head a small shake. “I’m graduating next year. And once I land a good job and I’m able to support myself, I won’t need him for anything anymore.” Closing her eyes, she inhales. “I’ll be free.”

Despite all the animosity I was harboring, I want that for her.

I fetch my keys out of my purse. “For what it’s worth, I really hope everything works out for you.”

With those parting words, I start to leave.

“Bianca?” she calls out.

I pause. “Yeah?”

“I’m never gonna stop trying to get Oakley back.”

Instantly, my body jolts with animosity.

Turning to face her, I give her a wicked smile.

“Then may the best girl win.”

Chapter 41

Bianca

I feel so sick it takes everything in me not to puke as I continue pacing the floor of my dorm room.

I was hoping it was all just a terrible nightmare…but it wasn’t.

It was reality. Her reality.

Hayley had to go through horrors that were unimaginable.