Irresistible Lines by Breena Wilde Page A

isn’t good.
    “The boy is still unconscious. They’ve had to put restraints on him, though, because he’s thrashing around and punched out one of the nurses.”
    I try to keep a smirk off my face. “How many days until the drugs are completely out of his system?”
    Lincoln shakes his head. “I’m not sure, Mr. Zane.” He’s upset he doesn’t have an answer, and I relax my face.
    “ What about the John Cruze situation? Have you done as I asked?” Just thinking about the asshole actor makes my blood boil. If he wasn’t so necessary for this film I’d have him fired and kill him. Death by accidental overdose is common among actors and would be easy to create.
    “That has been handled and should begin to take shape in the next few hours.”
    “Good.” I pick up my drink and finish it off. “Find out about Travis. When you have the answers I want, come find me.”
    Lincoln rises. “Yes, Mr. Zane.”

 
    Chapter 2
    Cadence
     
    Zane confuses me. One minute he’s threatening me and the next he’s tucking a blanket under my feet. After he leaves I close my eyes, exhausted.
    Memories of my childhood won’t leave me alone , though. And I can’t help but relive them over and over.
     
    Finding my father. Blood everywhere. My mother wouldn’t stop screaming. She was out of control. Once they removed my father’s body, she went into her room. I watched from the door as she stuck a needle between her toes. Immediately, a dead look replaced her freaked out one. She lay on the bed and didn’t leave her room for days. I brought her food, but she barely ate anything.
    I remember the day she was arrested. The letters S.W.A.T . emblazoned on black uniforms. They broke down the door, shouted. My mother tried to run, then tried to fight them. Two men pushed her to the ground and handcuffed her. Tears streamed down her face. She screamed, “Get the fuck away from me. Take the children. Take whatever you want, just leave me alone.”
    After my mom was removed from the house, her breasts hanging out of her robe, a man with curly black hair came over.
    “You been doing drugs?” His face was hard. His dark brown eyes searched my face. I guess searching for a lie.
    “No,” I answered, shaking my head.
    “What about your brother?”
    “No,” I responded again.
    “Good.” He ruffled my hair. “Drugs make you forget what’s important. Don’t fuck around with them.” He cupped my chin in one hand. “Promise me.”
    I stared into his intense eyes, mesmerized, amazed that a perfect stranger would teach me more than my mom and dad ever had. “I promise.”
    And I kept that promise. I never touched drugs, even though I had plenty of opportunities.
    Too bad my brother didn’ t listen.
     
    I can’t help but wonder where Travis is right now. What Zane’s done with him? To him? Tears fill my eyes. I hoped he’s someplace safe. I even hope he’s given up drugs, but I doubt it.
    Addiction runs thick and deep in our family DNA.
    One thing I kno w for sure. If Zane hurts Travis, I’ll spend every day for the rest of my life making Zane pay.
    A big part of me prays he hasn’t. Zane said he’s safe. I cling to that. And a pearl of hope curls through my heart. Maybe Travis and I can get to know each other again. Start over without of the bullshit.
    Maybe.
    I let my mind drift, allow myself to imagine “what if” scenarios until I finally fall asleep.

 
    Chapter 3
    Cruze
     
    I’m so pissed at myself, it’s difficult to think. I even forget to give the bellhop, Steve, a tip. He clears his throat.
    I want to take my anger out on him.
    Swallowing a growl, I pull out my wallet and hand him a hundred. “That ought to hold you for a while.” I grin, but the shape on my face feels more like a glare. For possibly the thousandth time I run through the scene with Cadence and me.
    “Thank you, Mr. Cruze,” Steve says, folding the hundred like he gets one every day.
    I raise a hand in response and head for the door to my