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“Brooke needs a mother. Jett needs a wife. It’s what’s best for the family, for the business.”
“Why are you telling me this?” It’s a futile question, because I already know the answer. This man wants to hurt me. I'll ask Jett if this is true. I don't trust Paul Knight, but I need to know if he knew about this.
“To make sure you don’t stand in the way of something important.” His tone sharpens. “Someone like you doesn’t belong in our world. My son will grow bored of you. Better to leave now than suffer later.”
I bristle as my heart beats like a warning drum, and try to stay seated, try to keep my voice calm and steady. “As you know, I’m already leaving.”
He slides an envelope across the desk. “This should help.”
I glance at it but don’t reach for it. “I don’t want your money.”
“It’s $100,000. All I ask is that you stay away from my son.”
“And if I don’t?” I snap back, hating that I lost my cool.
“You will. Trust me, only heartache lies ahead for you. You were merely a bit of fun for him on vacation. We both know that. He recently broke up with his girlfriend and you were simply a convenience. You would do well to remember that.”
The bastard. The smug, cruel, slimy bastard. I swallow, and hate that words don’t come easily to me. He’s cut me down. Taken a knife and sliced right through my heart. I’m so numb, emotionally and physically, that I don’t have the words to throw back at him.
His eyes fall to the envelope. “That's a lot of money for someone like you. Enough to change your life forever. Use it wisely.”
“You can do what you want,” I say, my voice steely, “but I won’t touch your money. I don’t need it.”
Anger flashes in those cold reptilian eyes. “Take it or I’ll deposit it directly into your account.”
I stare back at him, my hands lying in my lap. I'm itching to fold my arms, but manage not to. I won't take the envelope. And as for his threat, the whole amount deposited into my account, I will just move it back. “I have no interest in your money. Men like you should realize that some things cannot be bought.”
His jaw flexes. The way Jett’s does when he’s angry. “What is it that you think I'm buying?”
“You tell me.” From somewhere, I’ve found a little strength to look him squarely in the eye even as his words settle heavily on me and my heart sinks slowly to the depths of my belly. Words I can’t brush off because I see flashes of truth in them. Maybe I was a convenience to Jett during those late nights in the balmy night air, cocooned from reality.
A vein in his forehead throbs. “You think this is about money?” he snarls. “This is about doing what’s right for Jett.”
“Then why isn’t he here, in this meeting?”
His telltale jaw flex builds my courage. “He doesn’t know about this, does he?” You picked a time to talk to me when you knew he’d be away.”
“It wouldn't be wise of you to relay this conversation to Jett.”
“Oh?” I tilt my head. “Is that because he’ll tell me it's all lies?”
Paul chortles. “They’re not lies. He knows about this deal. Ask him. Listen, sweetheart.” He leans forward. Resting his elbows on the table, and steepling his well-groomed hands. “It wouldn't be wise, because you care about him and you care about Brooke. I can tell. From the moment I saw you both sitting out there in the gazebo, it was apparent that you had feelings for my boy. But know that he’ll tire of you soon. He always does. That man is a revolving door of relationships. It’s physical connection he’s craving. Sex, if you want me to spell it out for you.”
I bristle and feel the heat rising to my cheeks. I try to steel myself against his verbal attack. I focus on the man I love.
This man is a monster. And Jett had to suffer him all his life.
“Better take the money and run. Now leave, and get out of his life.”
I suddenly remember Aunt Scarlett and my mom, and how they would hate this man. “Why do you meddle with people's lives?”
“I want what’s best for Jett, and so should you.” He doesn't answer my question.
“Anything else?” I start to stand. My hands are steady even though my insides feel like I’ve just gotten off one of those spinning rides at the fairground.
He regards me with his snake-like gaze. “Just remember—if you truly care for Jett and Brooke, you’ll stay away.”
I don’t respond. There’s nothing left to say to a man like him. He knows Jett and I have feelings for one another. Even Dex knows now. I wonder if Dex snitched on us. Because up until now, his father was only sniffing around, trying to guess if something was going on. Now he seems certain.