Page 88 of Falling for Them

“Joel,” I choke out, “tell me you didn’t actually post it anywhere.Tell me it’s going away right the fuck now—”

“Oh,” he says, “well, actually, I’m not destroying the video.Because if youdocome around my dad or Sebastian again, I’ll make sure your ugly ass gets posted to every single porn site I can find.”

“Wait, please—”

But my phone beeps.The call is over.

The sun glints off of dirty windshields in the tiny parking lot.Everything blurs in front of me, from the cars, to the row of stunted palm trees beyond this little strip mall, to the faint white clouds floating merrily past.

I hug my arms across my chest, gripping my phone tightly.The device has already started to vibrate again, but I can’t handle the idea of talking to anyone right now.I can’t even handle the idea of texting.

I turn around and catch sight of my shocked face in the reflection of the phone company’s window, but I spin around just as quickly.I can’t bear to look at myself.

I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to look at myself again.

Twenty-Three

Kingston

“Wait a minute.”Sebastian’s voice goes low and quiet.He glares at me from across my office.“Say that again.”

“I said, my asshole son posted a sex tape of him and Ella.”

Bash blinks at me, like it’s still not sinking in.I called him here so I could tell him in person and we could figure out what the fuck to do, but he’s not being any help.

Then I realize it’s because he’s wound so tight, if he moves, he’ll fucking explode.

I know the feeling, because it’s the same with me.I’m holding tightly to the edge of my desk and it’s taking all of my self-control not to flip it completely over, stomp one of the legs off, and beat my son with it.

“Where is he now,” Sebastian says.

No inflection.No emotion.

I’ve seen him like this once before—seven years ago.So full of rage, he nearly shut down.Only then, the rage was directed inward.It was a scary fucking time, and I’d worried about my friend.

Now, though, I’m just worried about Ella.

“King,” Sebastian says.“Where is he.”

“No fucking clue,” I say.

He nods grimly.“That’s probably best.And where’s Ella?”

I hold up my phone.“I’ve been trying to call her since before I called you.”

“Her phone isn’t working—”

“It’s going to voicemail now, so it is.”I put the call on speaker and try once more.It goes straight to the automated answering message.I hang up before the beep sounds, because I’ve already left enough messages.There can be no doubt in Ella’s mind that I want to talk to her.At least, there won’t be, as long as she listens to her messages.

“We have to find her,” Sebastian says.

“I know.”

“We know what building she lives in.”He’s turning toward the door.“Let’s go.”

My phone rings.It’s my ex, Rayanne, so I decline the call.I can’t deal with her shit right now, on top of everything else.I slip on my jacket.

My phone rings again.This time, it isn’t Rayanne, but the Maids in Heaven owner, Melinda Nokim.Shit.