Total pages in book: 225
Estimated words: 218500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1093(@200wpm)___ 874(@250wpm)___ 728(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 218500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1093(@200wpm)___ 874(@250wpm)___ 728(@300wpm)
“What’s going on here?” Hallman asks. “Who are you? Who was that and what the hell is happening here?”
I sit in the chair Kenny vacated.
“I’m Derek Steele,” I tell Hallman.
He stares at me for a second and I see recognition hit his eyes.
“You’ve written about my family,” I add.
“A while ago, yeah. You’ve got a beef with me about that?” He looks at Chloe and I know things aren’t adding up. “You know him?” he asks her.
“Adam…” Chloe starts to speak, but her chin trembles. She’s about to cry. I don’t like it.
I don’t normally give a shit about tears, but I don’t like this.
“I’ll do the talking, baby,” I state.
Hallman’s eyes bounce between the two of us with confusion.
“Chloe and I met not too long ago,” I explain.
“Derek,” Chloe whispers brokenly. She’s clasping her hair on both sides of her head. She’s terrified of what I’ll say to him.
She cares that much about hurting him. My beautiful, selfless girl.
I keep talking. “The night she celebrated her friend Alannah’s promotion. It took about a week, but she used her hall pass on me.”
“Derek, don’t,” Chloe says softly, eyes filled with horror, with pleading.
Hallman looks at Chloe with wide eyes. “Tell me you’re not pregnant or something.”
She flinches.
And my back straightens, in fact all my senses perk up at the idea of that. At the idea of Chloe carrying my child.
A series of images race through my mind. Chloe with a round belly, my hands on it. Love shining in her eyes as she holds a bundle in a white blanket. Strange sensations rise in me at the whole notion.
“No. I’m not pregnant,” she says. “It’s been a week, Adam. And you know I’m on birth control.”
“It’s gonna be okay, baby. I’ve got this,” I tell her, then turn my attention to Hallman. “She used the hall pass and very sweetly tried to explain to me afterwards that it was a one-time thing. But I don’t want it to end. In fact, more than that, I find myself unwilling to allow it to end.”
He frowns.
I continue. “I’m prepared to make it very worth your while if you withdraw your marriage proposal and ask for the ring back.”
Chloe stares at me with horror and she’s about to speak.
“Shh,” I tell her. “Please, Chloe. I’ve got this.”
His eyes ping pong between me and her. His mouth opens and closes a few times, like he’s blown away, doesn’t know what to say. He starts with, “You had someone hold us at gunpoint so you can come tell me you want my fiancée?”
“In a very short time, your life has had a lot of changes, Hallman,” I go on. “Until the past week or so, things weren’t going very well, were they?”
He frowns and waits for me to elaborate. He’s also absorbing the situation at hand. Not a total dolt.
“But things got better. You got that van and got some independence. You also had a very productive trip with that work assignment. I’ve put in an offer to buy the company that owns the publications Laurier writes for, by the way. If you take on the projects you and Laurier talked about, you’ll be working indirectly for me. And you’ll be paid very well. Better than he’s been paid.”
“Derek!” Chloe clips angrily.
“Just a minute, bunny.” I keep my gaze focused on Hallman. “I was the anonymous donor that put in over half the value of your accessible van. I made some calls and got you that assignment yesterday. I also had someone arrange for you to meet with Sheldon Laurier last night. I had them recommend that you receive consideration to take on some of his projects after he retires above and beyond the magazine column. As you can see, I’ve got the ability to make things go well for you.”
“You want my fiancée?” Adam snaps. “You think I’m gonna give up the woman I plan to spend my life with for a job opportunity and a van?” He scoffs. “And you have us held at gunpoint? Wow. You think she’ll have anything to do with you?”
“Chloe has quickly become very special to me,” I state. “She doesn’t want to hurt you. She didn’t want to sleep with me in the first place, would never have been unfaithful to you if you hadn’t pressured her to do it. Once she did, feelings developed.”
“Derek,” Chloe warns. “Stop this.”
Hallman looks at her.
She shakes her head. “I don’t have feelings for Derek, Adam. I don’t. He’s being persistent, and I–”
“You might not be ready to admit it yet, but you are developing feelings for me,” I correct.
“Hatred. That’s about it,” she declares, shooting a dirty look at me. “How dare you!”
My gaze bounces back to Hallman. “My brother-in-law is a neurosurgeon. He’s well connected. I could pull strings to get you on probably any clinical trial you’re interested in to help with your mobility. I can have Laurier recommend you for everything you’re interested in writing in that field. Interested in something else? I might be able to help there, too. In fact, I can pull some strings and get you a publishing contract with one of the big five for your novels. I know you’ve had three rejections already, but through my family connections, I’ve got some pull with two, possibly three of the big five.”