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Chapter One

Veda is dancing

Always dancing Soh to finish her yogurt Or she holds the bowl aloft while she twirls around the kitchen,hips to a beat only she can hear The spectacle of her serves asas she is around the rooftop of my Tribeca penthouse

Today is her eighteenth birthday, and I’ve thrown her the most ridiculously lavish party ever witnessed by mankind Over the course of the last teeks—since she caed her ue every single movement and whisper sheunbearable because I know she’s chewing her pencil or straightening her plaid skirt and I’ her directly to the Manhattan office so she can recap her day only appeases htly

But I’ht because I’ve spoiled her rotten, turning the rooftop into an enchanted garden in honor of her officially becorow directly frohts and flickering candlelight highlight the h tabletops anddown fro An unseen DJ plays trance and trip hop, giving the fantasy-esque scene a ht there in the center of it all, a beautiful blonde nyuests hisper to one another behind their hands, thinking I don’t notice

I notice I just don’t give a shit And I’h to burn a hole in thelance

While my business associates are quite aware of the nature of h school senior, the facts haven’t quite ossip irl’s school Since every student in Veda’s grade and their respective parents have been invited tonight, however, they’re beginning to get the picture

It took a good hour for the mothers to catch the decidedly non-parental vibe between Veda anda perfectly forirl to live in your hoet her on all fours at the first opportunity The covetous looks they’re sending toward the dance floor say they wouldn’t hesitate either if they had a chance to do the same Which they never will Normally, I don’t even allow men around Veda, but I’vethe damn party is almost over and I’ll finally have her alone soon keepslile her

We had a rough start, she and I, but the first grovel ofher nah to bring her back, thank Christ But we’re not in the clear yet Oh no I’ Veda fro across the Atlantic so I could have her all to ht up to be a cold bastard and to take what I wanted, by fair means or foul, and that’s how I operated when I laid my eyes on the treasure of Veda And while she came back, it’s there in her eyes on occasion, a wariness that says she hasn’t quite forgiven ht procure an object She’s got a loton in her elic appearance So it’s a constant balance between letting her past uard up

Because I’ain I can’t The life force she injects into , is the only thing keeping ned with her father is no longer in effect As of today, her eighteenth birthday, she can walk away frole consequence Furthermore, I would be required to allow it

Please God, don’t let it happen

“Mr Beckett,” a cultured fee to tear ht handshake from one of the female onlookers “I’ether”

“Right” I put some space between us, because as jealous as I airlfriend, Veda’s jealous streak overto pretend as if I don’t enjoy knowing she doesn’t likeher feel one hundred percent secure inyourself?”

A waiter passes with a tray, and Adrian accepts a glass of cha me a not-so-discreet once-over It uest at the party who hasn’t picked up on my relationship with Veda Or if she has, she hasn’t been as scandalized by it as the rest of the pack as they stand watching their daughters dance in groups around the dance floor “Yes, I’ this thelass and takes a sip of cha closer to me “I just wanted to say, I think it’s very ad Poor girl No mother around and her father overseas” She shakes her head “She’s lucky to have you”

Guilt gives ut, and I return my focus to Veda on the dance floor, hands thrown up over her head, eyes closed, co and everyone around her It’s not even a contest And this woed her life to suither to our bedroos She tends to forgiveorgasm beneath ainst the entry table, on my jet

That last one hasn’t happened yet, but after I give Veda her birthday present, it’ll only be a irl has a penchant for dozing off in oddamn adorable, even if I’m left with an unattended hard-on nearly every time

“I’ I’m in the middle of a conversation, but barely able to concentrate while watching Veda dip her hips, the light pink silk of her dress riding teoes”

Adrian makes a small sound “That’s incredibly sweet” I’m surprised when she lays a hand on ive me a call” She bites her lip and squeezes “I kno hard it is to be responsible for a high school girl, and you’re doing it alone”