Page 77 of The Bitter Words

A sudden glimmer of Callum flickers in my thoughts. I pull away, remembering I have a boyfriend. One I had completely forgotten about for the last few minutes.

That never happens. Something is wrong with me.

My insides twist and turn. I need to get away from Jaxon Crowne. He plays mind tricks on me. No wonder he’s a billionaire. He affects people.

Maybe he even manipulates them?

I spin away and run smack dab into a big, puffed-out chest.

Chapter Seventeen

JAXON

Then

Designer Guilt &Unspoken Rules

Panic dressed in silk leaves bite marks without ever raising her voice.

Livianna trembles, but she calms down as I hold her securely in a nurturing and stabilizing hug. She glances up at me and her breath hitches. Her gaze darts around my face and she turns red.

What the hell is going on with her now? I know she was having an anxiety attack, but this is different.

She pushes out of my arms and twists away. She slams into her dad’s chest. He takes one glance at her and flits an angered gaze at me.

Greg Hemings is about to murder me. “Jaxon, why does Livianna look like you did something to her?”

I slide my hands into my pockets to show him there’s no threat. “She was having some breathing issues. I brought her out here to get some air. I was only making sure she didn’t need more assistance.”

“It’s true, Daddy.” She runs her palms over his arms. “Iwas talking about work and got nervous. You know how I get sometimes.”

Why does she still call him Daddy?

I clench down on my teeth. She’s too old to be calling him that. Then again, she is only seventeen.

How do I always seem to forget she’s so young? Because she looks like she’s closer to my age. That’s how.

He scans her face, concern filling the space around him. “Do you need anything from?—”

“No. That’s what Jaxon helped me with. He made me realize I was fine.” She peeks back at me, then at Greg. “Daddy, I don’t need them. Isn’t that weird?”

Need what?

His body relaxes. “What it is, is great news. Whatever he did, keep doing that.”

“It was his…strength.” She shakes her head. “He was just helping me. Not in a strange way, but he was calm with me. Instead of having a wild reaction, he was… I can’t explain it, but it worked.”

I only did what any other compassionate person would do for someone who seemed to be in some kind of trouble.

Without knowing for sure what she was going through, I keep my mouth shut. I don’t want to assume anything.

“Livianna, you’re making so much progress. I’m proud of you, darling.” He hugs her for a moment and releases her. “You have a guest waiting for you downstairs. That’s why I was looking for you.”

“Oh, okay.” She turns to me. “Thanks, Jaxon. Have a great night and tell Cindy I enjoyed getting to know her.”

“I will and I’m sure she feels the same.” I give Livianna a dip of my chin, excusing her. “Have a good time with your guest.”

“You too.” She tucks her hair behind her ear and blushes. “Would you mind if I got your phone number from my parents?”