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"Enjoying the party?" I hear fronize the voice instantly Because I don't need to act the part, and because it comes very naturally to me, I turn with cold eyes toward JT as he stands next to lass of a dark-colored liquor in one hand and his other hand tucked causally in his pocket

He's stares down athis o whereby he encouraged Beck to put the brakes on withthis man doesn't think very much ofhis friend away froet that he drugged and raped me, leads ins

"Can't say this is reallyofback to hiirl from Belle Haven"

"Exactly," he says in what sounds like a polite voice but that's really just to hide his rude declaration that I'h for this crowd

This actually aives me an important piece of information He's still very worried about my connection with Beck and feels threatened by it

"But as long as you rear Baby," JT says casually as his gaze flicks from mine to the action on the pool table He stares at it pensively before continuing, "you should be fine"

"And what role would that be?" I ask sweetly

"That the arrangeeives you money It's quite simple, really"

I blink at hi wants to tell him off and make him understand how close Beck and I truly are, but the part of me that wants him to suffer eventually wins out, so I play it cool "Thank you for the reminder, Mr Townsend"

"If you think there's so about that," he insists as he turns back to reat fuck"

If I really wanted to preserve status quo with JT and not alert hiree with his statehter in methe woman who hates this man and wants to defend herself to ainst hireat fuck, JT A really superb, fantastic fuck But you and I both know there'sso hard to tear me down"

JT actually rears backward a bit with eyebrows raised I can tell he never expected ht back

Before he can even think of a comeback, and before I can ruin anymore of Beck's plan to solidify his friendship with JT so he'll seek him out for money, I step into JT and murmur softly, "But don't worryI would never attempt to come in between your friendship with hi to try towith his oldest friend and business partner"

I step back and bea hilass down on a small table beside me and say with cheery politeness, "Merry Christain"

Stepping past him, I make my way across the billiard room and toward the staircase that leads up I don't look back at JT, but I can actually feel his confused look pressing in upon me

I follow my dad out of the music rooo up one flight to the next floor that houses his office, the library,roouest rooym and sauna

My dad's office is as inti with coffered ceilings, a massive crystal chandelier, rare artwork, and a built-in saltwater reef aquarium that takes up one wall Given thathis financial advisor et why he wanted it built to his specific tastes My gaze slides to the Parnian custom desk made of Carpathian elm and ebony--yeah, the one I hid under while o--that I happen to knoas purchased for a cool two hundred thousand dollars becauseabout that as well

Because we're talking business and my father would never think to sit beside uest chairs made of Macassar ebony and Italian leather, which are as uncomfortable as they look, he takes a seat behind his desk that is so expensive I'm afraid to breathe on it

When I' to the subject The sooner I get this done, the sooner I can grab Sela and we can start to celebrate Christmas Eve away from this place

"You loaned JT the start-up capital for The Sugar Bowl," I say simply

My dad's expression remains neutral, flawlessly coood investment that paid off quickly and lucratively"

"I'ood deal or because he's your son"

His reaction is subtle but telltale A tiny tick in his jaw s uncomfortable because we've never discussed this in detail

My dad, however, recovers quickly and says in an unapologetic voice, "First, because it was a good investment, but also because he's my son"

"Does he know?" I ask quietly