Allie remained silent, but glared at him every once in a while. Usually after he said something he thought was rather witty. But at least she was looking at him again.

He’d been serious before. He would stop at nothing until she forgave him. Bailing her sister out of jail was a start. And the irony wasn’t wasted on him. Allie had asked him to forgive his parents three days ago, and he’d been angry at her interference. Now she wouldn’t forgive him, and it was tearing him apart. She was right—he didn’t deserve it, but he wanted it just the same.

Clutching her release papers, Monica stepped through the door, clothed in jeans and a dirty pink T-shirt. Her hair was a snarl of tangles and her cheeks were blotchy from crying. Dark makeup circled her eyes.

Monica ran toward them, flinging herself into Allie’s arms. “Thank you. Thank you for getting me out.”

Allie hugged her back. “Are you okay?”

The younger girl nodded. “Yeah. I’m good.” She glanced at Trevor with puffy eyes. “What’s he doing here?”

Trevor stepped forward. “Let’s get out of here.”

Allie kept her arm around Monica’s shoulders. “He’s the one who bailed you out.”

Trevor held the door, and Allie threw him a look as she passed through it. “Thank you,” she mouthed.

He didn’t want her gratitude. Not really. He wanted things to be the way they were before his mouth got in the way—comfortable in each other’s presence, the sexual awareness bubbling beneath the surface of every touch, every glance. He wanted her to want him.

Once they reached the parking lot, Allie rubbed Monica’s back. “So, why didn’t Brad bail you out?”

Monica stiffened, stepped away from Allie. “Don’t start, okay? He’s on probation.”

“So? What does that have to do with it?”

Monica said nothing but looked away.

“Was he with you when you got arrested?” Allie came to a stop in the middle of the lot.

“It wasn’t his fault,” Monica said.

“So he just left you there, by yourself?”

“He didn’t want to leave me, but if he gets into trouble again, he’ll go back to jail.”

“Maybe that’s where he belongs.”

“Shut up, Allie.” Monica clenched her hands at her sides. “You don’t know him, so why are you even talking about it?”

“I met him. He’s an asshole.”

“And he’s not?” Monica pointed at Trevor.

Allie took a step toward her sister. “He’s the asshole who bailed you out. You should be on your knees, thanking him.”

Monica sneered. “Isn’t that your job?”

“You little—”

Trevor smoothly stepped in between them. “I think we should go back to my house and get a good night’s sleep.” He took Allie’s arm in one hand and Monica’s in the other and all but hauled them toward the car.

“I want to go home,” Monica said.

“Finally, you’re talking sense.” Allie peeked around Trevor’s chest to look at her sister. “Have you called Dad yet?”

Monica tried to pull out of Trevor’s hold, but he tightened his grip. “No, why should I? And I’m not talking about that home. I mean where I’m staying with Brad.”

“Are you kidding me? You’re going back to the loser who left you to get arrested?”

“Shut up—”

Trevor gave both of them a shake. “Both of you shut up. Now, who’s hungry?”

***

“I’m calling Dad,” Allie said when they walked through the front door of the mansion.

“Yeah, you do that,” Monica said in a snotty tone.

When Trevor led Monica to the drawing room, Allie remained in the foyer and tried calling her dad. It went to voice mail and she left a message, feeling angrier by the minute. Where the hell was he, and why couldn’t he just pick up the damn phone?

She turned to find Trevor leaning against a display case of bird eggs. Suddenly, a wave of exhaustion overwhelmed her, leaving her drained. “Why are you doing this anyway?”

“Standing here? In my own foyer? Because I can.”

She took a step toward him. “Why are you doing this for Monica?”

“Bailing out teenage delinquents is a new passion of mine. Although she’s quite a little bitch.”

“You don’t get to talk about my sister that way, and you can’t buy forgiveness, Trevor.”

He pushed off the glass case and slowly moved toward her. “Doesn’t hurt to try.” He cupped her cheek, his thumb stroking along her bottom lip.

It felt good, his touch. And it shouldn’t, because he wasn’t right for her. He was callous and uncaring and selfish. Most of the time. And they made a deal, one that didn’t leave room for the emotions churning inside of her.

He leaned closer, his mouth a whisper from hers. She wanted his kiss, his touch, even though her feelings were still bruised from his hurtful words.

He kept his eyes open, locked on hers, as his lips softly brushed her own.

“Oh look, Nigel, they’ve made up.”

Trevor closed his eyes. “Fuck,” he said.

She snapped her head back. This interruption was a good thing. She had been weakening toward him, and she needed to stay strong. It was just a bargain. She needed to remember that and not let her feelings get tangled up.

“I’ll go see if Brynn’s still awake,” she said. “I’m sure she’ll want to see Monica.” Allie nodded at Mags and Nigel as she ran up the stairs.

Trevor straightened. “When are the two of you leaving?”

“I don’t know what you and Allie fought about, Son, but you’ve been like a bloody thundercloud for the last few days,” Nigel said.

“Where did everyone go?” Monica asked, stepping into the foyer.

“Oh, this one’s new. Are you starting a harem, dearest?” Mags asked.

Trevor stared at the ceiling and sighed. Then he roused himself. “This one’s off-limits too,” he said to Nigel.

“Son, how many times do I have to tell you? I’m with your mother.”

Mags swished forward in a bright green caftan, her arm extended. “I’m Mags, Trevor’s mother. I tried to teach him some manners, I really did.”

Trevor scoffed. “Was that in between your second and third marriage, or your third and fourth? Because I can’t remember.”

Nigel walked forward and smacked Trevor on the back of the head. “Behave.” Then he turned to Monica. “I’m Nigel.”

“Monica, these are my parents, such as they are.” He nodded toward the two nightmares who’d created him. “This is Monica, Allie’s middle sister. We just bailed her out of jail.”

“Ooooo, what were you in jail for, darling?” Mags threw her arm around Monica’s shoulder and walked her out of the foyer.

Trevor turned to Nigel. “I’m quite serious you know, about leaving these girls alone. If you so much as look at one of them sideways, I’ll kill you.”

“I keep telling you, Trev, I love your mother.”

“Right.” He glanced toward the stairs where Allie and Brynn stood. “Brynn, we busted your sister out of jail, and we brought you a burger to celebrate.”

Brynn gave him a tired smile. She’d obviously been asleep. Her dark hair was flat on one side and she wore a pillow wrinkle on her cheek.

“Thanks. For the burger and for breaking Monica out.”

“Go to the drawing room and get something to eat before Mags beats you to it.” He nodded his head toward the hallway. Brynn walked by and tucked a strand of hair behind one ear.

Trevor draped his arm around Allie’s shoulder and led her away. She shrugged it off, but he yanked on the hood of her sweatshirt, forcing her to keep pace with him.

“Guess she hasn’t forgiven you after all, Son,” Nigel said, before jogging back up the stairs.

No, she hadn’t. But she would. It would help things along considerably if he could get Mags and Nigel to leave. They popped up at the most inopportune times.

In the drawing room, Monica perched on the love seat next to Mags. Brynn sat cross-legged on the floor, throwing tater tots in the air and catching them in her mouth.

“Oh, darlings, Monica has been telling us about her new friend, the prostitute. Tell them.” Mags rubbed her hands together. “This is dreadful.”