The side of her I might not have known if I had kept listening to Hayley’s lies…or the feeling in my gut.

The one cautioning me she was trouble and not worth the bullshit.

My chest coils as I continue observing her, the alarm bells growing louder in my head.

Watching my dad fall apart after my mom left showed me what a woman can do to a man—the way they can annihilate you and leave you with nothing once they’re through with you—and then I let Crystal do it to me.

I’m not looking to repeat the mistake.

Her dark eyes lock on mine, luring me in. “Dance with me.”

I shake my head, taking a step back.

Bianca Covington is the type of woman who could steal a man's soul and then destroy his existence when she’s done.

If I had any sense, I’d stay far away.

She stops moving, that gorgeous smile falling off her lips as thunder booms above us. “Please.”

Like a moth to a flame, I find myself moving closer, drawn to this frustrating—yet fascinating paradox of a girl I have no business fooling around with.

I grip her waist. “I don’t dance.”

But I do…for her.

Chapter 33

Oakley

“I know you care about her, Oak,” my dad states. “But you need to move on. You might not realize it yet, but there’s only one way this story ends.”

I place some Cheerios in a bowl for C.J. Given she had a meltdown last time, I decided to keep them in stock at my apartment.

“And how’s that?”

His expression is solemn. “With your heart getting smashed.”

C.J. gives me a cheesy grin when I hand her the bowl.

“She’s marrying another guy,” my dad points out like I’m not all too aware of that fact. “Not to mention, you know how the Covingtons are.”

I don’t follow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Jason Covington knows how to be a shark when he wants to be. It’s why he’s so successful. I wouldn’t put it past him to file a lawsuit and sue for damages for his daughter.” He shrugs. “Will he win? Of course not, because he’d be going against me and I’d nail his goddamn balls to the judge’s bench. But it doesn’t mean it won’t be tedious and a pain in the ass to deal with.”

My dad is one of the smartest men I know, but personal injury attorney he is not. “If the Covingtons were gonna go after me, they would have done it by now.”

When he starts to protest, I say, “We live in California, Dad. You only have six-months to sue for damages after a car accident.” Inhaling a breath, I add, “Or one year from the date the injury was first discovered.”

Both of which have passed.

I’d be lying if I said a small part of me wasn’t hoping they’d sue my sorry ass…but they never did.

He looks impressed. “Okay, fair enough…but still.”

Annoyance flares in my gut. “But still what?”

“She’s getting married to a guy who isn’t you. Therefore, she has no business coming around you and screwing with your head.”

Christ almighty. Here we fucking go.

“She’s not.”

He pins me with a look that makes it clear he doesn’t believe that for one second.

“She’s lost.” Annoyed, I grip the back of my neck. “Confused. She doesn’t know which end is up and her family has her stuck in a box because they think it’s the best way to protect her.” I cut my gaze to his. “But you can’t stick a girl like Bianca in a box for too long because sooner or later she’ll crawl her way out and make the world her bitch again.”

Because that’s what my girl does.

She fights just as hard as she loves.

And that side of her is still in there…she just has to tap into it.

He scrubs a hand down his face and exhales. “I know you care about her. And yes, she’s very beautiful, I’ll give her that. But that’s exactly what makes her the kind of woman who will leave you with nothing once she’s decided she’s bored with you and kicks your ass to the curb.”

I know he’s speaking from personal experience, but he’s got it all wrong.

Even at her worst, Bianca still gave a fuck about the people she loved. She wouldn’t intentionally hurt them, let alone throw them away like garbage.

She’s not a potential trophy wife with her eye on her future husband’s bank account like my dad’s making her seem.

“She’s not Crystal.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“She’s not Mom either,” I hiss.

He grimaces. “What makes you so sure about that?”

“Because I fucking know her,” I roar. “And I’m getting real fucking tired of you acting like I’m some goddamn little boy instead of a grown man who can handle his shit.”

He pinches the bridge of his nose. “I just don’t want you walking down the same path I did.”

I know he’s scared and wants to spare me from that potential pain because he loves me.

But this is my life. Therefore, seeing her is my fucking decision.

Not his.

“Uh-oh,” C.J. calls out.

The moment I look her way she takes the bowl of Cheerios and dumps it over her head.

Then she grins.

I can’t help but laugh. “Guess you didn’t want any more of those, huh?”

My dad scoops her up and puts her in his lap. “We have to get going anyway.” He covers her ears. “Crystal will lose her shit if I’m late dropping her off.”

I wince. “How’s the custody battle going?”

“Let’s just say if there was a town called petty-ville Crystal would be the mayor of it.” He groans. “She’s requesting twenty grand a month in alimony and child support…along with sole custody.”

Jesus fucking Christ. The money is one thing, but not letting him have any rights to his own kid?

“That’s fuck—” Catching myself, I mutter, “Fudged up.”

“Tell me about it.” He uncovers C.J.’s ears and rubs his nose against hers. “Mommy doesn’t realize who’s she’s messing with and that nothing’s gonna keep me from my favorite little munchkin.”

C.J. starts giggling right before she blows raspberries on his forehead. “Dada.”

Taking a wipe out of her diaper bag, he cleans his face. “You still going to meetings every day?”

Haven’t missed one yet and I don’t plan to.

“Yup. I catch one before work.”

He stands. “Good.” He looks at C.J. “Say bye to your brother.”

“Bye-bye.” She makes grabby hands for me so I lean down. “Love, Uh-oh.”

Jesus. This freaking kid. “Love you, too.”

Before I can stop her, she finds an abandoned Cheerio in her dress and sticks it in my mouth.

I try not to laugh but fail. I wouldn’t put it past her to start a restaurant when she grows up. This way she can feed people whenever she wants.

“Thanks for the snack, C.J.,” I mumble as I walk them out.