Accidentaly Divine by Dakota Cassidy (best large ereader .TXT) 📗

“It really was no big deal,” she whispered, frowning at how hard it was to accept someone’s praise. It felt uncomfortable, awkward—it didn’t fit and she didn’t deserve it.

Nina leaned over and nudged her, driving a knuckle into her shoulder. “Bullshit. That doctor and that facility your buddy’s in both cost major coin. It is a fucking big deal. Accept the praise and move the fuck on.”

Peeking a sheepish glance at Dex, she did as she was told and whispered, “Thank you,” before averting her eyes to Gladys, who snuggled between them, her big body rising and falling in sleep.

Dex grabbed her hand and squeezed, and this time, she didn’t pull away, reveling in the warmth his hand brought her clammy palm.

“Better,” Nina said. “Now, about that damn facility. That’s not some cheap, state-run joint, kiddo. It’s where celebrities go, for shit’s sake. How the fuck did you manage to get him in there? Are you that tight with the doc?”

George stiffened. If she kept her explanation brief and succinct, she might be able to avoid more probing questions. “Doctor Ellingham was really supportive with a client I had at work. We struck up a professional relationship and we’ve called on one another from time to time. Sort of one hand washes the other. That’s all.”

Nina pulled her phone from her pocket. “Is that all, kiddo? Or is there more you’re not telling us that we night need to know in order to fucking help you and figure out who the shit wants your wings?”

Looking at the phone, George blanched. Nina had pulled up an article about her and her family. Her father, specifically.

Her horrid, vile father.

Nina rolled her tongue in her cheek and narrowed her gorgeous eyes. “Was there any particular time you were gonna share that you’re a fucking billionaire heiress and maybe some nutter found out you have wings and wants to steal them because he recognizes you?”

But George bristled. “So what you’re saying is, a random demon—from Hell, no less—found out I became an angel and now wants my money and my wings? Does that make even a little sense?”

Nina’s lips thinned as she sat forward on the sofa. “Don’t be a smartass. I said I smelled demon. It doesn’t fucking mean for sure it was one fresh from Hell. It could just be a shithead who’s destined to be a demon. They stink, too. A shithead who needs money and wants your wings. You on the same damn page, or do you have more sassy shit you want to hurl at me?”

Instantly, she was sorry. She didn’t know the first thing about figuring out something like this. She had no idea why someone had targeted her for her wings, or who from her former life would even know she had wings.

But when people found out who she was, it was almost always a problem because she had money, and she’d adopted a hard habit to break on that very sensitive subject—defensiveness.

Yes. She had money.

A lot of money. Money that mostly sat in an account with a money manager who tried to involve her in investments and stocks, and whom she promptly ignored. Everything she had—her house, her car, everything—had all been earned by her and her alone. She’d never touched a penny.

Until tonight.

Giving Nina a guilty look, George shrugged. “Usually when people find out about my money, they…”

“Want some?” Marty tinkled a laugh as she crossed the entryway from the stairs and made her way to the couch in a fuzzy purple bathrobe.

Reluctantly, George nodded. “Yes.”

Giving her a pat on the shoulder, Marty sat down on the ottoman opposite her and nodded. “Well, we’re not billionaires, but I can pretty much guarantee we’re each easily multimillionaires in our own right, and Nina wants your money like I want the bubonic plague.”

“What the fake blonde said. I have plenty of money. I don’t fucking need any of yours.”

Reaching over, she gripped Nina’s cool hand, an apology in her eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to insult you, Vampire Lady. It’s a knee-jerk reaction to my financial status in life. I didn’t choose it, but it is what it is.”

“Yeah, I saw that when I read the article on you and your dad. You wanna talk about that shit, or you wanna keep pretending your entire entitled life didn’t happen?”

Keep pretending it didn’t happen, thank you kindly.

“I think it’s fair to say George doesn’t behave as though she’s entitled to anything, Nina,” Dex quite gallantly defended her, making her blush.

“Nina!” Marty scolded. “Don’t be an ass. She’s never shown an inkling of entitlement. She helped someone out without saying a word. Rich people have problems, too.”

Yet, she was familiar with this reaction when people found out she was an unwilling billionaire. “No. It’s okay. It’s what everyone thinks, and it’s fine. Plenty of entitlement comes with being rich. Believe me, I know that.”

The trouble was, money didn’t always solve some problems. You could have all the money in the world and still fail at life. Fail when you needed the most to succeed.

But Nina shook her head. “No. It’s not fucking fine, Wings. Don’t lie down and play dead. I read the flippin’ article. You had a shitty time of it. Say so. Then tell us why. We can’t help you if we don’t have all the damn facts.”

“Which is it, Nina? Am I entitled or am I helpless?”

Nina grinned at her, infuriatingly so. “Look at you. Fucking fighting back. You saucy minx. Don’t apologize for who the fuck you are. Ever. Your father’s not your GD fault.”

Instantly, her eyes went to the hardwood floor. Her father, Houston Maverick of Maverick Industries, wasn’t a subject open for discussion. Not now. Maybe not ever.

“Listen, I come from a lot of money, but I’ve never touched it until tonight for Joe-Joe. So yes, money talks, but he needed it. There was no way I was letting him go to a state-run facility.