Evin's Fight (Southern Charmers Book 3) by Ahren Sanders (books to read for teens .txt) 📗

“She released everything, including pictures of you and Isaac in college,” Dante tells me angrily. “Bitch is crazy. She’s thrown everyone into the firing squad.”

I yank his phone away and scroll through, scanning speedily.

Breaking news out of the Virginia Governor’s Office this afternoon. Governor Marco Bindel and First Lady Karen Bindel are facing a barrage of accusations…

…The First Lady’s multiple lovers exposed…

…Governor’s Cabinet is scurrying to cover…

…Eight years ago, stole the Senate seat…

The name catches my eyes first. A name I haven’t used in so long, but still stops me in my tracks.

…Mysterious daughter Caitlyn Bindel reemerges, and it looks like she’s hiding some serious…

…Poppy Malone…

…accusations of child abuse…

… Adult entertainment industry…

…Drinking problems…

…Self-destructive behavior led to career-ending injury…

The assault on Evin comes next.

…conned a millionaire businessman into marriage…

…Successful portfolio manager under investigation following significant losses while his wealth grows…

...Business associates shocked and scrambling to assure clients…

Bile claws at my throat. “I have to speak to Evin.”

As if he senses my despair, my phone rings, and I answer with unsteady hands. “Sweetie?”

“Is Grady there yet?”

“Yes.”

“Baby, we’re going to the shed.”

“Is it really necessary?”

“This is strictly precautionary. The press will be curious and come hounding. Until there’s a plan, I want you protected. Mom and Dad’s farm is all private property. Anyone trespasses, they will answer to me.”

“Okay…”

The phone is out of my hand and at Grady’s ear before I can ask if he knows about the recording. “You’ve got me.”

‘Two minutes’ he mouths, gesturing to get my things.

“Tell him I love him,” I say, walking to our room.

Ryanne and Dante are on my heels. “What can we do?”

“Pack for me and Evin? Close my house and lock up. I’ll leave with Grady and meet y’all at the farm.”

They spring into action, not acknowledging me slipping back to the living room. I blankly go through the motions of getting my jacket and purse. The twinkling lights around the area that meant so much a short time ago, now barely a blur.

Grady hands me my phone, and I stare at it, my stupor clearing as unanswered questions tumble through my mind.

“How’d Tasha manage to contact anyone? You said she made her mark, but what does that mean?”

Grady glances at me uncomfortably. I stand my ground, eyeing him expectantly, even with the icy prickle slithering along my skin.

“There’s a reason the Medical Director ignored my advice. The therapy reports show accelerated progress in Tasha’s mental state and acceptance of having a dependency problem.”

“In other words, she fooled them?”

“Undoubtedly.”

“So what, the therapist agreed to give her a phone call or something?”

“Not exactly. Tasha seduced the therapist, and during their tryst, she stole the phone. It was discovered hours later. The phone records show she made some calls to an untraceable number and logged into several email services. We know she had a partner and a contact in Virginia waiting for her confirmation.”

“Unbelievable. She’s such a skank. Drops to her knees and steals his phone when his pants are around his ankles? That’s classic.”

Grady flinches. “Did I offend you?”

“I live in the beast of the belly of politics; not much offends me. But you should know she didn’t drop to her knees. The therapist is a woman.”

My jaw drops and a mini-screech escapes. “A woman? Tasha fucked around with a woman?”

“Seems so.”

Determination surges through me, igniting familiar memories.

“We should go.”

I follow Grady and discreetly drop my phone in Ryanne’s purse, ignoring the guilty knot in my stomach. We’re safely out of the neighborhood when I make my demand. “Take me to her.”

He remains quiet, staring ahead.

“You know where she is. Take me to her.”

“Your husband wants you at the shed. Your father wants you in a guarded fortress. I’m instructed to keep you out of sight, and you expect me to drive you straight to the cause of the mayhem?”

“Yes.”

“Is that why you ditched your phone?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Poppy, it’s my job to be observant.”

“Not sure about that,” I mutter under my breath.

“I take full responsibility for failing,” he responds sullenly.

My gut rolls with shame for the comment. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it.”

“Shit, don’t apologize to me. I failed at my job.”

“No, you didn’t. This isn’t your fault. I’m just angry, pissed, and worried. There’re a ton of emotions running through me. Blaming you was a reflex reaction.”

He pulls his bottom lip through his teeth in a move I’ve watched Evin do a hundred times when something is on his mind. Then a thought occurs to me that turns my stomach. “Grady, did you sleep with Tasha?”

His eyes slice to mine, unmistakable repulsion in his glare. “No.”

I let out a breath on a whoosh. “Thank God.”

“For over seven years, I’ve watched that women bulldoze over people in her quest for the highest ring in the social circuits. She’s severed marriages, broken engagements, and destroyed careers, to name a few. Marco has paid with his blood, sweat, and tears to cover her ass. All for nothing. She never saw the consequences of her actions.”

“She’s never changed.”

“Exactly. I wouldn’t bang that bitch if she was the last piece of ass on this earth. Doesn’t mean she hasn’t tried, many times.”

I cover my smile.

“Pardon the vulgarity.”

“You’ve met my husband. I’m not offended by vulgar. Isaac flat out said her puss—ahem—I mean she had more miles than his vintage mustang.”

He chuckles. “Yeah, he’s always been entertaining.”

My mood shifts, thinking about Isaac. “Dante said there were pictures online of Isaac and me. Those would have to be ancient. Where’d they come from?”

“Isaac’s phone. He kept a file from college. You were in a lot of them.”

“I can’t imagine how you dealt with things over the years.”

“I enjoy my job. Marco is more than a boss, he’s a friend. Although he’s not going to like this decision.”

“He’ll get over it.”

“And Evin?”

The air in the cab of the truck takes on a different mood. “We were married a little over a month before my career collapsed and the Bindels crashed back into our lives. He deserves better.”

“Better than