Blindfold Vol. V

By Cassie Wild and M.S. Parker

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2015 Belmonte Publishing LLC

Published by Belmonte Publishing LLC.

Book Description

I'd known that letting Ashford Lang close was a bad idea. I'd known that if I let myself care too much, he'd break my heart. I'd just never imagined he'd put my family in danger too.

 

Toni Gallagher's boss, heiress Isadora Lang, has escaped her captors, but the danger isn't over. As Toni helps the Langs search for clues as to who's running the show, she knows that when all is said and done, she'll have to face her feelings and decide, once and for all, if Ash is worth the risk.

 

Don't miss the final sizzling installment of MS Parker and Cassie Wild's exciting series, Blindfold.

 

Blindfold Release Schedule

Blindfold Vol. 1 – Already released. CLICK HERE to download Vol. 1

Blindfold Vol. 2 – Already released. CLICK HERE to download Vol. 2

Blindfold Vol. 3 – Already released. CLICK HERE to download Vol. 3

Blindfold Vol. 4 – Already released. CLICK HERE to download Vol. 4

Blindfold Vol. 5 – This book.

Chapter 1

Ash

“Toni took off in a hurry.”

I didn’t bother looking up at the voice from the doorway. I could practically hear the reproach in my little sister's voice, although her tone was calm and easy. “It’s late. She’s been putting in a lot of time here, as you pointed out.”

“That is true, but is that why she left?”

The direct question was a lot harder to avoid, and Isadora knew I didn’t make a habit of lying to her. Others maybe, but not her. Shifting my gaze upward, I met her eyes. Green, like mine, but a different shade, more like our mother's than our father's.

I didn't say a word, but she must have seen something on my face because she scowled.

“I guess not.”

She came into the library and went straight for the bottle of bourbon I'd left out. I frowned as I watched her study the bottle. Then, with a thoughtful expression, she poured some of it into a glass for herself.

“Iz, you don’t like bourbon.”

“I don’t like a lot of things, big brother.” She shrugged and turned to look at me. “I need something stronger than a Cosmo at the moment. Now, are you going to tell me what happened between you and Toni?”

I was careful not to lie. “What makes you think anything happened?”

“I saw her face as she was walking out.” She lifted the glass to her lips and sipped. Her nose wrinkled and she shuddered. “Damn. That’s strong.”

If she hadn't been working on getting me to talk about something I didn't want to talk about, I might've thought her expression was funny.

Isadora wasn't giving up. “Plus, I can see your face right now. Something happened.”

I gave her a smile that I knew didn't come close to looking genuine. “Everything’s fine, sweetie. Okay, it’s just–”

Her voice sharpened. “Don’t lie to me.”

I stared at her. Isadora didn't talk like that to anyone, and definitely not to me. Not ever.

She took another drink, a longer one, deeper one. “I’m going to assume she mentioned Lily.”

“Fuck, Iz.” I tossed back the rest of my bourbon and slammed the cut crystal glass down so hard, it was a miracle it didn’t shatter. I couldn't even look at my sister now. “Why did you tell Toni about Lily? Were you trying to hurt her?”

“No, Ash. I’m trying to protect her. Toni's the kind of person who has relationships. You don't. You just do sex.” There was a fierce protectiveness in her voice that made my chest hurt. “I don’t want you hurting her!”

“I didn’t want to hurt her, either!” The shout was so vicious, we both flinched. I turned away, disgusted with myself more than angry at my sister. “She thinks I was just using her for sex.”

“Well, you were.”

“No, I wasn’t,” I fired back. The last look I’d seen in Toni's eyes had left me feeling hollowed out and empty. The feeling hadn't faded with the passing hours or the amount of alcohol I'd consumed. I really didn’t want to be discussing this with my sister either, yet I couldn’t seem to stop. “I wasn’t, Iz. Not really. It just happened.” I sighed and ran my hand over my jaw. I needed a shave. “Anyway, it’s not like I’ve got time for a relationship.”

“You never have time, Ash.”

She’d come up to stand next to me without me realizing it. As she slid her arm around my waist, I closed my eyes. I’d been a jackass, to her and Toni. I didn’t want comforted. I didn't deserve to be comforted.

“You spend all your time working or here with me. On the rare occasion you do go out...” She let the sentence trail off.

I was surprised to find myself blushing when she pointedly looked away. Shit. I hadn't realized I'd been that obvious about it. I could only hope she didn't know exactly where I'd gone. That was definitely not a conversation to be having with my little sister.

She continued, “When you do go out, well, it is all about sex. You can't deny that. But maybe the thing with Toni was different. It’s not like you ever made a habit of sleeping with anybody I brought around the house before.”

“It was a mistake.” I’d come to that conclusion in the time since Toni left. It had been a mistake to ever go near her. I’d have to find a way to rectify it. For her sake, and for Isadora's.

“Why? Because you actually let yourself care?”

Damn her. “I–”

“If you tell me that you don’t, I just might punch you.” She jabbed me in the chest. “I don’t want to hear that bullshit. I know you. I see how you are with her. You watch her, Ash.”

“She’s a beautiful woman.” Feeling defensive, I struggled with a reason to make her just stop talking.

“You’ve known a lot of beautiful women,” Isadora countered. “You watch her for other reasons.”

“No...” Then I stopped. Catching her hand, I squeezed it once before releasing it. Before she could reach for me again, I walked over to the window. I’d laid the rose I’d given Toni on the windowsill. She hadn’t taken it with her. I should have just thrown it out, but I hadn't been able to do it. Now, I picked it up and studied the delicate velvet petals.

“I do watch her,” I admitted quietly. “I do care. But it doesn’t matter. I don’t have time for a relationship, Isadora. I just don’t.”

“And I already pointed out that you never have time.” She gestured to everything around us. “What if Dad had decided he didn’t have time? Or Mom? What’s the point of everything you do if you never have time to share it with somebody? What’s the point of anything if you end up all alone? I know some people want it, but, Ash, can you really tell me that's what you want?”