Page 70 of Wicked Truths

FRANCESCA

Without saying a word,Rhett lets out a sigh before rolling over and climbing out of bed. He redresses like a man on a mission.

He is a man on a mission. He has plans with Joey, and no doubt it’s about the shit that happened tonight.

“I need to head out. I’m so sorry, Chess. I wish I could stay here, but-”

I might as well get used to hearing this. Dad has said this to Mom many times, and now that Rhett is a part of all this, I’ll be hearing it, too.

“Duty calls.” I say somberly.

“Yeah, duty calls.” He says as he finishes getting dressed.

I sit up and swing my legs off the edge of the mattress. “I’ll just go to my apartment.”

He stalks over to me and places my legs back on his mattress. “No, you’re not. You are going to stay in my bed and get some sleep because when I get back, I plan to fuck you again and again. Get some rest while you can.”

I give him a nod, but I don’t say anything. I know he doesn’t think it will take a while, but I know my brother. Joey will talk about the mission and stand around gossipingfor hours.

He’s like a teenage girl.

Rhett leans over and places a chaste kiss on my cheek. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“Okay. Be safe.” I whisper, trying to keep my emotions in check.

I watch as he walks to his bedroom door. He turns around to look at me one last time before slipping out of his bedroom.

A few moments later, his front door opens and closes, leaving me alone in his apartment.

I lay back on the pillow and climb under the covers. I could risk leaving and heading to my apartment. A hot bubble bath sounds amazing right now, but I don’t want to upset Rhett.

He seemed almost disappointed that I said I was going to go home, like he really wants me here.

In his apartment.

In his bed.

I have to admit, his sheets are so much nicer than mine, and I have some really nice sheets, so that’s saying something.

“Ah, this is so nice.” I mumble as I get settled in his bed.

It feels weird being in his apartment without him. I’m not used to the different sounds in his place or the way no light shines through his blackout curtains.

Even the courtyard lights can’t be seen from here.

It’s pitch black and all I can do is worry about Rhett.

I wonder if Mom ever felt this way when Dad had to work? I wonder if she had sleepless nights waiting for himto come home. Did she go to sleep hoping Dad would be home by the time she woke up?

One thing is for sure, there’s no way I can go to sleep without knowing exactly what Rhett is doing and where he went with Joey.

Feeling anxious, I throw on one of Rhett’s Sharks shirts and pad my way to his living room.

Looking out of his balcony window at the arena, I frown at the very dark arena. All the lights are off, so unless they are working in the dark, no one is there.

Rhett must be at the house with Dad and Joey. At least Dad is keeping the family’s business away from the arena.

But that’s barely the truth.