FORREST   “THERE’S NO such thing as just sex for you, Forrest! You know that. You don’t just screw around. You are not the type of man who sleeps around because if you are, we probably slept together a long time ago.” I held her hand. My hope skyrocketed. “What did you just say?” She lifted her gaze full of pain, and my heart sunk to my stomach that I was the cause of it. “I like you since— well, since. Never mind. It doesn’t matter anymore. I know I am not your type. Until now, I can’t find the right answer as to why we ended up in bed. We both are two different persons, Forrest, yet it doesn’t matter to me. It’s just, what is happening between us feels right, and it feels anything less than perfect when I am with you.” Heat radiated through my chest to hear her admission. “I know because I feel the same, Megan. Why do you think I am still here after you shoved right into my face that you had nothing to do with me anymore?” I sighed and

MEGAN   I REMEMBERED Forrest fluttery kissing my forehead like a butterfly feather and whispered that he had to go. I didn’t know what time he left, but I felt confident that he would keep his words. When I went down, Mom was already ready for work. “Forrest left already.” I halted in the middle of the stairs, feeling my cheeks flare. I was mortified that Mom knew that Forrest visited me last night. Mom smiled. “No need to feel embarrassed. I knew Forrest would come. He asked where you were staying, and he didn’t give me any choice not to give him the address. You know that I have a soft spot for that guy. When he told me he was waiting for you at your apartment yesterday, and you didn’t go there, I felt bad.” “He could be lying,” I defended myself. “That man doesn’t lie, Meggie. That’s his strong suit. He chose to stop talking than to lie. And I like him.” “I’m sorry, Mom.” I walked down toward her. “I should not

FORREST   “YOU ARE arrogant son of a bitch!” I wondered where I got that from. He spat out a furious breath. He was mad. Damn right, so did I. “That makes the two of us. And here you thought that I am interested in being a part of your cabal and cohorts, don’t you? That is the only reason why I am here. And then right now, you think I will dethrone you? Am I that desperate? And you see as that boy. When desperation arises, I will leave that old man to death and save my own arse, won’t I?” I smirked evilly. “I know you would think something like that. And that situation might have happened once in your pathetic life, am I right?” I narrowed my eyes into slits as his face flushed with rage, about to put two holes in my head with his blazing glare. “Or was it the other way around?” “You cross the wrong man, boy. You just signed your death wish.” “In fact, I do, since I planned on meeting you. That’s the fate that I already

FORREST   My plans worked. AFTER SENDING an email to my mother that I made myself out alive from my father, I kept my end of the bargain, and I hoped he wouldn’t cross me now he knew my relationship with him. I changed a quarter from the amount I promised to Francois from one of my offshore accounts to Bitcoin and transferred it to him. Then I wired him the rest from my two Cayman accounts. I replied to an email to the company account in London to hire a new assistant for my mother so that Meadow would be out of the picture. I hadn’t checked my phone yet, and I knew Alan and Megan were worried shit. As soon as the chartered jet landed, I asked the driver to head to Rexwell Tower, where Sean stayed at his penthouse. I didn’t know why I had to settle with him when the only thing that tied me with my bastard father was blood. I was a bit antsy to drop the bomb on Sean, but I had to clean up my name. And a little bit optimistic that p

FORREST   Goddamn it! I WANTED to punch Davis for not doing his only job. And so did Bill, but I could handle Bill later. “For an uncomplicated and simple order, you did a bang-up job!” I hired him because Alan recommended him, and he could be trusted, but then he failed me. My chest was heaving with anger the moment I saw his guilty-ass face. “I couldn’t force her, Mr. Wood. You warned me not to touch or lay a hand on her. And I would be arrested for kidnapping if I forced her to come with me.” “I don’t give a bloody fuck about your reasons, Davis! I only gave you one job, and it’s to keep her in your sight all the time because I want you to protect her and not to let her wander around the city alone!” I walked past him toward the car and stopped him when he was about to open the door for me. “Don’t! I will drive alone. Go, search the penthouse, and find out why she ran away. And don’t show your fucking face unti