Burning Ultimatum (Trevor's Harem #4) Read Online Free PDF Page B

But doing so would be a regression. I’m no longer the damaged little girl. I’m an adult, and don’t need to fight. I don’t need the shell Daniel talked about, that he brought me here to break. Because it broke.
    But I won’t give Jessica the satisfaction of forgiving even one tiny little thing she’s done. She’s acting deeply sorry, but I’m not hearing any protests. I’d almost welcome the comfort of lies. This blank guilt reaches through my chest and grips my heart. But fuck Jessica. Fuck her so very much.  
    She sniffs. She turns away.  
    “You’re not even going to tell me you’re sorry,” I say.  
    “You need to talk to Daniel.”
    “I don’t think I ever need to talk to Daniel again.”
    “He’s up in his office.”
    “Right now?”
    “Yes, right now.”  
    “You’re positive?”  
    “Yes.”  
    “How can you be positive?”  
    “I was just up there.”  
    “Then there’s no reason for me to go. He’ll need at least a half hour before he can get hard again.”
    I’m baiting her. I don’t know why I don’t just walk away. I feel like I’m holding a club, and keep hitting myself no matter how much I want to stop. I hear Brandon in my head: You seek self-destruction.  
    Softer I say, “If it’s not what I think, what is it?”  
    “Talk to Daniel.”  
    “I’m talking to you . You want to stab me in the back? You want to stab Kat in the back? You want to hook up with Daniel over and over, the two of you probably laughing at Stupid Little Bridget the entire time? Then at least look me in the eye and tell me why. What did I do to you, Jess?”  
    I’ve gone from baiting her to opening the door. Why am I still talking? Am I really so fucked up that I’ll turn on a dime the minute she tells me something I want to hear? Do I need approval so badly that if she pretends to explain, I’ll let her fill the air with her lies? But it’s not the same with Jessica as it was with Kylie. I loathe Kylie and always have. Jessica, I let into my heart.  
    “Tell me you didn’t snitch on Kat, and I’ll try to believe you.” I think but don’t add, hating myself for it: I want to believe you .  
    Jessica presses her lips together. She looks into the corner. I see her blink. She wipes at her face, smearing mascara.  
    “Tell me you didn’t have sex with Daniel,” I say, “and I’ll try to believe you.”  
    “Talk to him,” she says weakly. “Please, Bridget. Just go talk to Daniel.”
    “I’m talking to you,” I repeat.  
    I wait.  
    And I wait.  
    And I wait, hating what it says about me that I’m so eager for lies.  
    “Then buckle up,” I say, “because now you don’t just have to worry about losing to Kylie.”  
    Jessica sniffs. A dark tear cuts down her cheek.  
    “I’m going to do everything I can to win this thing,” I tell her, “and God help you if you get in my way.”

CHAPTER FOUR

Daniel

    “He wants you there.”  
    I turn. Trevor is standing behind me. I can’t stop staring at the dark screen, where moments ago I was talking to the board. They’re insane. They’re impossible. They don’t see what’s right in front of their faces, and they demand the absurd.  
    “Did you hear me?” Trevor asks when I don’t respond.  
    “I heard you.”  
    Something in my voice must prick his ears because he walks a few steps toward me. He’s as immaculately dressed as he is most of the time around here. I’m in jeans and a sleeveless tee. I haven’t showered yet and feel filthy. I haven’t shaven, and stubble is something that usually bugs the shit out of me. I know I’m supposed to dress in my monkey suit like Trevor, but I feel like if I put on a dress shirt, I’ll soil it.
    “Are you all right?” he asks.  
    “I’m fine.”  
    He looks at the screen. “Were you talking to the board?”  
    I nod.  
    “And?”
    “I told them I lied. Bridget’s key indicator isn’t restraint.”
    Trevor blinks. He might have believed what