Page 222 of Pucking Sweet

Well, shit. No wonder Violet’s been so extra bitchy to me lately.

“I went from thinking I’d be set for life to having nothing,” Violet admits with a teary shrug.

This is the core difference between Violet and me. I’ve always worked hard to make it so I didn’t need Nana’s money. But Violet went another way. It’s hard not to dream when our siblings are able to do things like take expensive holidays in Vale and rent apartments in Paris. Violet sees Nana’s money as the answer to a life problem, while I only ever saw it as a gift.

Violet steps toward me. “Popcorn, I’m so sorry. Anderson and I have just been one big mistake from the start. I think I was feeling rebellious at first…and then I kept crawling back, even when you warned me away—”

“I’m standing right here,” he huffs.

“Anderson asked me to marry him again and again,and I always said no,” she goes on. “I know he’s only after me for Daddy and his own career, but then Mom took everything from me, my whole future. So, the next time Anderson asked, I heard myself say yes.”

He moves around the fountain toward us. “You fucking bitch. You really think that’s how it played out?”

“That’s exactly how it played out,” she says over her shoulder. “You’ve only ever cared about this obsession with your stupid political destiny. But it takes more than a square jaw and pockets full of cash to win the hearts of the public. You’re pathetic, Anderson!”

“And it takes more than a pair of tits and the St. James name to bag a man,” he jeers. “Look at you both: beauty on the outside, but rotten to the fucking core.”

Violet steps closer, taking my hand.

“I’m the only man who hasevergiven you a chance—either of you,” he adds at me with a glare. “No other man fucking wants you. Hank should’ve been paying more attention at home. Maybe then he would’ve noticed his hired help raised a pair of sloppy whores.”

Violet flinches. But my rage crackles like a holy fire. “Anderson, this is over. You need to go.”

He dares to take an imposing step closer to us. “I’m not going anywhere. Violet and I still have a deal. She owes me three million dollars. I don’t leave until I get every dime back.”

Violet looks to me, panicking. “I don’t have it,” she whispers.

My heart sinks as I squeeze her hand. “You’ll get your money back, Anderson. You know we’re good for it. I promise—”

“Your promise doesn’t meanshitto me,” he shouts. “You promised to love me and marry me and give me the future I’ve always wanted. The future I fuckingdeserve! You made a goddamn fool out of me, and I’ll be damned if I let your spoiled little sister do the same thing.” He grabs her arm and jerks her away from me, both of us crying out.

“Anderson, don’t,” I beg.

He grabs her by the shoulders, shaking her as she cries. “We’re getting married tomorrow, and you’re going to keep your word and delivereverythingwe agreed on. Do you understand?”

“Let her go,” I cry.

“Poppy!” Lukas rushes to my side, Colton just behind him.

They both get their hands on me, pulling me to safety.

“Stop this,” I say on a breath. “Please, stop him.”

Colton’s hands clamp down like bands of iron on my arms.

“Permission to break rule number two?” Lukas asks.

I nod, heart racing as they still argue. “Please—”

“Then where’s my money?” Anderson shouts, his hands squeezing Violet’s arms.

“I said I don’t have it,” she cries.

“Give me back my fucking money!”

“Anderson, please, just stop this!”

Lukas storms up with a holy vengeance. “Get your fucking hands off her!”