Page 125 of Corrupted Pleasure

“I heard of an FBI profiler,” I added, the words slipping through before I realized.

“Oh, that’s good. Profiling is going to be important to teach our little criminals,” Ivy noted.

My eyes traveled over the four friends and somehow I found the timing to be appropriate.

“Okay, I have to tell you something,” I started quietly and everyone tensed.

“Jesus, don’t tell me you found your birth certificate too,” Wynter teased.

I gently slapped her on her forearm. “Well, it’s associated with my birth,” I admitted.

“We’re all ears, D,” Juliette announced.

“Have you heard of Senator Ashford and the Ashford family?” I questioned.

Ivy and Juliette shook their heads. “I think I have,” Wynter replied. “His daughter, an FBI agent, married a mafia killer or something. It almost destroyed the Senator's career. His sons are known as the Billionaire Kings.”

“I heard of the Billionaire Kings,” Ivy chimed in, excitedly. “Hot. Sexy. Throbbing with raw masculinity and arrogance.”

I snickered at her description. She really knew the Ashford brothers. At least what the papers reported.

“What about them?” Juliette asked curiously.

I took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. “Apparently, Senator Ashford’s my father. And his kids are my half-siblings.”

The girls were rendered speechless, the city noise seemed to be even louder. Admittedly, I just dropped a bomb on them.

“Holy shit,” Ivy muttered, breaking the numbing silence. “The Ashford brothers are your brothers? The hot, sexy, super rich and single Billionaire Kings?”

“Yep, but don’t forget their sister,” I said.

Ivy waved her hand. “Yeah, but she’s a girl and not single. But your brothers…”

“You’re a horny virgin lush, Ivy,” I reprimanded her teasingly. “The point is that she’s an FBI agent. Or an ex-agent. Whatever the case might be, she’d be an awesome addition to our school.”

When everyone remained quiet, I continued. “You don’t agree?”

“I think it’s a great idea,” Wynter continued. “I’m just still processing the news.”

“I feel like there have been so many skeletons coming out lately,” Juliette muttered. I had to agree with her.

“How are you holding up, D?” Ivy asked.

I looked out at the horizon, down the river that ran south. “You know, I’m fine,” I told them all. “I got all I need here. I have all of you and Liam-”

The words just slipped and gasps sounded around, followed by a deafening silence. My heart stilled and frustration at myself flickered in my chest. Liam and I were going to tell them all together. How could I have been so stupid to let it slip?

I met their gazes, confused looks in all their eyes.

“I’m sorry.” My voice was hesitant. “I’m so sorry,” I whispered. “I don’t know how that happened.”

Well, I kind of did. It all started on the night I peeped at him in the shower.

“You’re seeing Uncle?” Wynter flicked a hesitant gaze to me then returned it to the road.

The cat was out of the bag. I might as well tell them everything.

“I married him,” I answered hesitantly.