Otherwise, I would have never risked kissing her with the door open.

Fuck, I’m an idiot.

“It’s easy, Park,” Levi says with an evil grin. “Stay the fuck away from Willa. This will all go away. Your career will be saved.”

“And if I refuse?”

His smile falls and his eyes darken. “Everyone will see this. The school, the press, the cops. This will blow up in your fucking face, man. Hers too.”

My stomach churns at the thought of her getting swept up in such a scandal. It’ll be a nightmare for everyone I love and care about. Hugo can kiss his campaign goodbye.

“Fine.”

He arches a brow in surprise. “Fine? That easy?”

“You heard me,” I growl. “But you have to erase it all.”

“Prove to me you can stay the fuck away and I will.”

This time, I do shove past him, no longer able to be an audience to his blackmail. I unlock my car and fling open the door. He grabs the top of the doorframe to keep it from closing once I drop into my seat.

“Later, Mr. Park.”

I’m going to fucking destroy this kid.

My life has once again exploded in my face.

At this point, it’s a joke. Nothing good ever lasts for me. Problem is, this time, it’s going to drag down more than just me. Namely, Hugo and Willa. It’s only a matter of time until Levi shows that recording to someone.

I continue to pace the floors in my kitchen like I’ve done for the past hour since I got home from school.

Willa: I miss you. When can I see you again?

Anxiety and frustration weave themselves into my brain, clouding my every thought. I need to tell her about Levi, but I can’t do it over text. I need to hold her later tonight when I confess that shithead recorded something so private between us.

Me: Miss you too. Soon. I need to see my brother first and then we’ll figure something out.

And we will.

I’ll be damned if I actually go along with Levi’s demands. Sure, I’ll have to be more secretive, but I’m not going to cease seeing Willa altogether.

I crack a brief smile at the heart emojis Willa sends and then switch over to dial Jude.

“What?” Irritation drips from his single-worded greeting.

Rather than giving him shit for it, I cut right to the chase. “Did you find anything else on the Paulsons? Darren or Levi?”

“I’ve been preoccupied. I didn’t realize it was so pressing.”

“For fuck’s sake, man. Our family’s reputation is on the line.”

He grunts. “Could have told me that before.”

“And…” I pinch the bridge of my nose and stop pacing. “Someone very innocent is about to also get dragged through the mud. I have to protect her.”