Damaged: The Dillon Sisters by Layla Frost (good story books to read .txt) 📕

the only thing that launched.’”

I watched as she scrolled, likely to reread it again. “How did they know who you are? I couldn’t even find a lousy tagged photo of you.”

“Someone tipped them off.”

“Who?”

“Me.”

When she finally spoke, it wasn’t to freak out or yell about kicking shins—her go-to threat. “Why?”

“So you can be positive I’m done. It’d be impossible to get away with anything now that my face is out there.”

“I already knew that.”

“Logically, yeah. But now your brain can’t use any hint of doubt to tie you in knots.”

Her shoulders slumped and her expression softened. “You always know what to say.”

“It’s why I’m your favorite.” When she stared back down at the screen, I asked, “Are you okay?”

It took her a moment before she answered. “I like this picture. You look hot, and I’m smiling.” With the sun setting behind her, Briar looked like an angel. But when she lifted her face my way, there was nothing saintly about her wicked smirk or her filthy words. “I was smiling because I was lucky enough to be next to you all night, and then we were going home so I could be under you, too.”

If she kept it up, I was going to fuck her on every piece of patio furniture. I didn’t give a damn if the chickens could see.

“I know you’re mega rich, but are you actually a millionaire?”

“No.”

She gave a little sigh.

“I’m a billionaire.”

“Oh. Cool. Cool, cool, cool.”

“Briar—”

She shrugged and forced nonchalance. “I can offer you twenty percent off from the home décor store, so that’s basically the same.”

“Good, you can use it to pick out stuff for the house since you’re moving in.”

Thankfully, she wasn’t the one holding the tea she drank one degree below molten because she would’ve spilled it and burned herself. Or thrown it in my face and burned me. I wasn’t sure which because her expression was blank.

“Say something, flower.”

“I’m moving in?”

I gestured to the coop. “The chicks need their mother close.”

“You want me to move in?”

“More than anything.”

Almost anything. Not more than I wanted her to have my last name and have my baby growing in her. But her moving in was the first step.

I set down her cup and was about to close the distance between us so I could make her talk to me.

Before I could take a step, she turned her phone to face me again. “Can we have this picture printed to hang above our fireplace?”

Chapter Thirty-Three

Never

Briar

For good movies

DING.

Ding, ding, ding.

“You’re going to have to talk to her eventually, flower.”

Sitting on my ratty couch, I looked up at him. “I know.”

Aria had been calling and texting. A lot.

Like, nearly Alexander levels of stalker.

I’d told her I was fine and that we’d get together soon. Truth was, I was worried. My sister could always read me. She’d notice the difference, which would lead to her going all shrink-mode.

Falling in love and moving in with a guy so quickly was about as big of a red flag as someone could wave. I knew she’d come around eventually, but I wasn’t ready to deal with the initial hoopla when she found out. Not yet. I wanted to savor the excitement a little longer before anyone tried to weigh me down with sensibleness and reality.

“Almost done?” Alexander asked.

Since he’d had a work thing, I’d gone to my apartment after the rescue. I was finishing my cereal before we went to his place.

“I’m going to have to get a car,” I muttered.

The bus had stops close enough to the apartment, shelter, and clinic, so I’d always been able to make it work without it being an inconvenience.

I was betting it’d be a long walk from the closest bus stop to Alexander’s house. Soon to be our house.

“Do you have your license?” he asked.

“Yeah. I just get panicky driving. Too much unknown. Too much risk. And way too much responsibility.”

“It’s no big deal, I prefer driving you,” he said, making me feel better and enabling me at the same time.

“You can’t cater your schedule to mine.”

“Sure I can. And I’ll get you a driver for the rare times I can’t.”

Grimacing, I looked at him with exaggerated horror. “Stuck in the car with a stranger? No thank you.”

“Are you ready to start driving?”

“Yes, it’s time.” I stood and carried my bowl to the sink.

“We’ll stop at the dealership on the way home.”

“Whoa. No. Nope.” Putting a hand to his abs, I tipped my head. “Baby steps.”

“Got it.”

“I’m going to go to the bathroom really quick then I’ll be ready.” When I was done, I came back to find him checking out the framed picture that’d been tucked away. “I haven’t had time to hang it,” I explained.

“Christ, I’ll never get used to how beautiful you are. Especially when you smile.” He glanced at me. “Can I put it in my office?”

I laughed and waved my hand. “You’re the one who gave it to me, so put it wherever.”

His brow furrowed, and he tilted his head. “What?”

“You sent this to me?” I’d meant it as a statement, but it’d come out as a question.

“No, I didn’t.”

“Yes, you did. You’re the only one who stalks me.”

“I damn sure thought so. When did you get this?”

I told him about Sue sending the money tree and how I’d originally assumed the picture was from her.

“Have you gotten anything else out of the ordinary?”

Fear trickled down my spine like a droplet of ice water, giving me the chills. “No. Just a ton of junk mail.”

“Let me see it.”

I didn’t have much, but I grabbed what mail and catalogs I had in the recycling bin.

He flipped through before coming to one of the letters with the threatening red letters stamped across the front. “What’re you behind on?”

“Nothing. It’s some bogus credit card offer.”

Pulling the paper out, he scanned it before turning the envelope over. When he looked at me, his body was tense and there was that edge to him. Since he was mostly grins and obscene touching with