Pit: The A**hole Club Series Saffire Blue (top 10 most read books in the world .txt) 📖

so overbearing at some point. Racing, skydiving—it all became freeing.

Aunt Monica continues. “Your father knew how much your mother meant to you. While his heart was breaking because he was losing his wife, it was also breaking because he didn’t know how to protect you from it. Once again, he was failing you.

“And then you found your friends. I, for one, am grateful to those young men. Your mother would be so proud of you. Your business is successful, you’re so bright. Marvin is proud of you too.” She sighs.

“My brother just has his way of dealing with his feelings. Politics is something he has mastered controlling. Look at where we are.

“He’s been a big part of my success. It’s what he knows and what he maneuvers best.” She gives me a smile. “And yet, he hasn’t figured out how to ensure his baby girl’s happiness because that’s all he wants for you, Mayven, for you to be happy.”

The lump in my throat is the size of a tennis ball. I swipe at more tears. There’s still something I don’t understand and now feels like the time to get it off my chest.

“But she was dying, and he went on with his career as if she was nothing,” I sob.

She slides to the edge of her seat and reaches to squeeze my hand. “Oh honey, you have my brother all fucked up.”

My mouth pops open. I look at my aunt with pure shock. Aunt Monica rarely comes out of character, unless you push some big buttons.

“Sweetheart, that man loved that woman with his entire soul, you hear me? He worshiped the ground she walked on. Let me tell you what you didn’t see.

“When your father left to go to that gala the night your mother was diagnosed, she made him go. My brother sat in his limo sobbing for an hour before he pulled his shit together like a boss and went to get his mayoral appointment like his wife made him promise to do.

“When you wanted his help with those boys, your mother was the one who bent his ear and told him to make it happen. When your mother died, he didn’t go to any meetings for his campaign. That man was in the mountains contemplating suicide.

“You, baby girl, are the only reason he’s still breathing. He promised your mother not to let you lose yourself, so don’t make assumptions. Your father loved your mother so much a piece of him died with her, and there are your facts,” she says.

“I didn’t know.”

She gives me a warm smile. “Now you do. Cut him some slack, Mayven. He’s doing his best. Your father loved being a husband and father. I think his nagging is his way to get that for you.”

Now, I really feel like shit for not giving my aunt the facts. However, my determination to bring her daughter home has turned up one thousand percent. I now see my father in a new light and all the bitterness that has robbed me of being a daddy’s girl starts to melt away.

I might be thirty-three, but I can still use my daddy sometimes. When I can think straight and all this is over with Shawna, I have work to do. My dad needs to know I’m happy with my life and… I love him.

“Which one of your fancy cars do you have today? Will it look out of place in the hood? I’m craving some West Indian food so bad. The good stuff. Not that crap they try to pass off here in Bridge Lake,” Aunt Monica says, breaking into my thoughts.

I burst into laughter. Leave it to Aunt Monica to switch it up on the drop of a dime.

“Come on, I’ve got you,” I say, shaking my head.

Chapter 25

Please

Skittles

“Please,” I beg as Pit frowns at me.

He mutters a curse under his breath. I’m wearing him down. I’ve been begging for three days now. I’m out of time.

“No.”

“Pretty please,” I say and bat my lashes at him.

He pushes off the kitchen island where he placed me and stood between my legs when I arrived here at his loft about five minutes ago. He moves back to lean his boot against the sink behind him. I hold my breath, hoping to finally get a yes. I groan when he replies.

“No, I can’t stand those entitled bastards. They all act like someone owes them something. If people only knew half the shit some of them do to be where they are. No.”

“Pit, I need to do this for Shawna. My aunt is getting suspicious. Do you know what will happen if the police and every other agency my aunt will call gets involved?”

He bares his teeth at me. I know this is low, but I need him with me. My father thinks I’m bringing a date, I’m going to use whatever I can to make this happen.

“You do know what we were carrying in that race last night, right? Marquis is trying to make sure everyone’s hands are as dirty as his are in all of this. We still don’t know how Marquis and Danny are connected.

“If they start to dig into Shawna’s whereabouts and somehow that brings attention to Marquis, Danny, or the races…” I leave my words hanging to pour on the dramatics.

He runs a hand through his hair. “I should’ve known the moment you walked in here with those red heels and tight ass jeans I was in trouble,” he grumbles.

I plant my hands on the edge of the counter and lean forward to place my cleavage on display. His gaze drops to look down my shirt. I flip my hair over my shoulder and lick my lips.

He points a finger at me. “The moment my skin starts to crawl we’re leaving. And since we have to wait two weeks for the next race, we’re out of here to blow off some steam. You’ve been tossing and turning in your sleep. Shit’s annoying as