Page 323 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 5

Why the hell had he told Mr. Pruitt his full name? Was he trying to get killed too?

Mr. Pruitt paused a beat too long before shaking Tanner’s hand. “I’m sorry, I was under the impression that Robert was Matthew’s best friend?”

“No, that title belongs to me,” Tanner said.

Why did everyone always want to discuss who my best friend was? This wasn’t relevant at all. “It doesn’t matter who my best friend is.” I felt stupid saying the words out loud. “I’m here to tell you that you’re done messing with my life.”

“Messing with your life? Matthew, I have no intention of hurting Tanner or…”

“Cut the crap, Mr. Pruitt. You sent Poppy to my office to threaten a child. What the hell is wrong with you?”

Mr. Pruitt sighed. “I told her to deliver a letter to you. That is all.” He shook his head. “She doesn’t love following simple directions. Now tell me, what did she say about a child?”

The nerve of this asshole.“You threatened James’ daughter. Don’t play dumb with me.”

“Ah. Well, Poppy has her own…unique set of strengths to get what she wants. She’s very good at spotting weaknesses and using them to her advantage.”

I didn’t believe him for a second. Threatening children could never be considered a strength. And me caring for my friend’s child’s safety wasn’t a weakness.Fuck him.

“Let me guess,” Mr. Pruitt said. “She also tried to seduce you?”

Who talked about their niece like that? And why was he acting like he had nothing to do with this? If he’d just wanted to send a letter, he could have sent it via FedEx. He hadn’t needed to involve Poppy. “I don’t know what delusional plans you have for me and Poppy, but I’m not playing any part.”

“It’s late, Matthew. Can we talk about this in the morning? I’m having trouble following your logic. Are you feeling quite alright?”

Son of a bitch.I wasn’t the crazy one here. He was. “I know you’re having me tailed. I know you hired hitmen to come after me…”

“Maybe Richard is right,” Tanner said. “Why don’t we come back in the morning after we’ve calmed down a bit?” He tilted hishead in the direction of the elevators and gave me angry eyes. “You’re going to get yourself killed,” he mouthed silently at me.

“I’m never stepping foot back into this cursed apartment,” I said.

Mr. Pruitt sighed. “Matthew…”

“Stop texting me! Don’t send crazy people to my office with letters and threats. Don’t contact me in any way. We’re done.”

“We are not done. I’ve been asking you for years to come speak to me and the best you can do is show up in the middle of the night half lucid. This isn’t a game. You’re in danger, Matthew. I’m trying to protect you. Just like I have been for years. This is a life and death…”

“You expect me to believe that you’re worried about me? Where were you after Brooklyn died? You never came to her grave. You never stopped by my parents’ house to talk to me. You never gave a shit about everything you took from me. So don’t stand there and pretend you care now. You don’t care about me. And I don’t give a shit about you. So get it through your thick skull. Leave me and my friends the hell alone. “

Mr. Pruitt looked so calm. “You can’t keep blaming me for Brooklyn’s death. It wasn’t my…”

“It wasn’t your fault? You tricked her into loving you. Into trusting you. And then you murdered her.”

“Murder is such a strong word,” Tanner said with a grimace as he elbowed me in the ribcage.

“She agreed to the surgery,” Mr. Pruitt said. “She knew the risks. It was a misunderstanding at best.”

Misunderstanding? He’d murdered his daughter.“Is that how you sleep at night? Watch your back, Mr. Pruitt. Because I have resources too.”

“Are you threatening me?”

Damn right.“Enjoy one of your last nights in your own bed.”

Tanner was staring at me like I was insane. He turned to Mr. Pruitt. “He doesn’t mean that,” Tanner said. “He hasn’t been getting much sleep. If you would just call off your hitmen, maybe...”

“Come at me with whatever you have,” I added. “I’m going to fucking destroy you.”

“Watch your own back, Matthew,” Mr. Pruitt said. “I’m not having you tailed. And you’re not in danger because of me. Despite what you think, I’ve been protecting you for years. And if you refuse to thank me, consider my protection revoked. Come back to me once you’ve learned reason and an ounce of respect.” Mr. Pruitt slammed the door in our faces.