Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 138003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 690(@200wpm)___ 552(@250wpm)___ 460(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 690(@200wpm)___ 552(@250wpm)___ 460(@300wpm)
“Are you fishing for compliments again?”
“It’s what you reduce me to, princess. You’re so harsh in the cold light of day.” I scrape my teeth over her delicate skin. She swallows audibly, her fingers turning white as she grips the sink. “Don’t you have anything nice to say?”
Fuck compliments, I think. I want to see more of this. Feel more of her.
“Yeah, don’t hold your breath.” She turns her head, her half smile as sweet as an arsenic-dipped cherry. “Or maybe do. But just for an hour or so.”
“You don’t mean that. At least, not before I fuck you.”
“I’m sure I’d cope without your dick.”
“And I’m sure you’re curious.”
“You know what that did to the cat,” she taunts.
“Speaking of felines”—or dogs—“don’t answer the door to my men dressed like this again.”
“I don’t see the connection.”
“I don’t want them hanging around for scraps.” I pluck at the hem of her T-shirt. “Unless you’d like me to castrate them.” Fucking Leo.
“There’s no one around. Husband,” she amends heavily. “No need for the jealousy act.”
“Who’s acting?” I growl, sliding my hands around her waist. “You owe me something, and I want it. The longer you keep me waiting, the harder you’ll pay.”
The way her eyes light up, it almost seems she takes that as an incentive.
Fifteen minutes later, I’m in the back of the Bentley, and Leo is driving me into the city. His gaze keeps catching mine as I stare fucking daggers at him in the rearview mirror, still pondering that shit-covered stick.
Fucker.
I stretch my neck and hear it pop. Meanwhile, Leo sticks his finger in his shirt collar.
My phone buzzes, and Lachlan’s name lights up on the screen.
“It’s a little early for you,” I say, not bothering with a greeting.
“Not even.” His response sounds happier than normal. “How’s marriage treating you?”
“That’s what you called for? A little voyeurism?”
“Well, yes, if you must know. Color me intrigued when my client insists on tying huge sums into a prenup for a marriage that’s supposed to be all business.”
“What do you want, Lachlan?” I bite out, not interested in his digging expedition.
“Apart from knowing if she was worth it?”
“Watch your fucking mouth.”
My lawyer falls quiet, and I know I’ve made my point.
“Well, I have good news. I’ve just heard from the brief of your least favorite person.”
“Dennison’s lawyer called?” I sit straighter as my chest tightens. What the fuck is Daisy's daddy dearest up to now?
“Yup, first thing this morning. But what’s even more interesting than that call was the one I got last night from the private investigator we’ve had on him.”
“Yeah?”
“Guess who he’s been banging.”
“I don’t fucking care.”
“Oh yes, you do. Who’s been the biggest pain in your arse in this whole thing?”
I make a point of glancing Leo’s way, though it’s Lachlan who has my attention. “The social worker?” My tone is incredulous—there hadn’t been one whiff of impropriety. At least until now.
“One and the same. Little Miss The-Rights-of-the-Father-and-the-Child,” he says, pitching his voice higher, “has been fucking with us all along. Fucking us over while fucking that deadbeat.”
“So what do we do with that?”
“We could go to her employer. The courts. Ruin her career, put him on his guard.”
“Would it change anything?”
“I suppose that would depend on who we were assigned next. I’m sure they’d be very careful, but there’s every chance Dennison could twist it. Allot the blame to her. Say he didn’t do anything wrong. And technically…”
“We wouldn’t be able to disprove it.”
“We only have proof of her misconduct.”
“Don’t tell me there’s no way you can spin this. That’s not what you get paid for, Lochy.”
“I have an appointment with his brief this afternoon, and they don’t call me Lucky Lochy for nothing. Let the negotiations begin.”
“Fuck, all these months, and it’s really going to be that simple.”
“Madness, right? He’s going to give up his rights. I’ll have the deal signed today. The only question that remains is the number in his head.”
“Whatever it is—”
“It won’t be anywhere near our last offer,” Lochy persists. “That bastard deserves the bare minimum.”
He deserves much worse than a subpar payoff, but I can’t murder my niece’s father. Not if I want her in my life because there are some things you can’t hide. I have thought about it, sometimes obsessively. This whole experience has been the one time I’ve ever felt powerless in my adult life.
“Well done. I’m glad we’re putting this to bed.” Glad doesn’t cover it. I feel my chest expand like I’ve been holding my breath for far too long.
“Speaking of beds, I assume you want me to hold off filing this marriage paperwork until then?”
Hold off. And then what? Shred it? Make our marriage little more than a few words exchanged in front of witnesses on my payroll.
It’s not even consummated yet.
My mind begins to spin. The reason I needed Lavender—the primary reason, that is—will be null and void come this afternoon. I’ll have Daisy for good. Her father will be out of our lives except for access visits he’ll eventually tire of. Before dropping out of our lives.