Page 147 of Take My Name

“I’m sorry. We’re in the middle of…negotiatin’.”

My brows furrow. “Negotiatin’ what?”

Her shoulders slump and she sighs. “When I moved in with him, he added my name to the lease, so he wants me to pay my half until it’s over.”

“Okay.” That doesn’t sound too bad. “What else?”

She blows out an uneasy breath and I already know I’m not going to like it. “He wants to get compensated for pain and sufferin’.”

“Come again?” I shift my gaze to the pitiful man at the table. “For what exactly?”

Hayes decides that’s his cue to stand and enter the conversation. “For not being forthcoming about already being married while we dated for over three years. For leadin’ me on to think we had a future. For the backlash I’m gonna get from having to announce the wedding is canceled.”

“Backlash from what?”

“My career,” he snips. “I made it known I was engaged and now I face the humiliation of it ending.”

I roll my eyes. He acts like he’s the goddamn king.

Pretty bold for a guy who looks like Posey could fight one-handed.

“If I don’t agree to it, he’ll go to the press to purposely humiliate me, which will have huge repercussions for my career.”

“And this family’s reputation,” Mrs. Callaway adds.

Oh, God forbid…

“And you call yourself a man? Fuckin’ pathetic,” I spit out,then turn toward her parents. “Y’all are so worried, you dish out the money. You have enough of it.”

“He wants my trust fund,” Maisie blurts, and my neck nearly snaps when I look from her to Hayes. “It’s worth one point two million.”

My fists tighten at my sides. “He’s not entitled to that!”

“In return for his silence and havin’ to deal with the potential backlash,” she explains with annoyance. “But my parents are tryin’ to negotiate a lower amount, which is why it’s takin’ so long.”

My jaw threatens to break at how hard I’m clenching it. God, I hate this. And for what? Because he got his feelings hurt?

Join the fucking club, asshole. I lived without her for seven years and would’ve never thought about touching her money.

Wait a minute…

“She can’t sign off on her trust fund without my permission,” I say and her father sits taller as if he’s finally tuned into the conversation. “We’re married, so half of that trust fund is legally mine. And I ain’t agreein’ to shit.”

Everyone’s eyes widen at the realization.

That’s right. They can all fuck off.

I cross my arms, widening my stance. “You can bargain with me now,Hayes. ’Cause without me, you ain’t gettin’ a cent.”

“You’d risk her name gettin’ dragged?” Hayes asks.

I casually lift a shoulder, but I’d never let that happen if I can help it. “You’re not the only one with connections on how to cover up a scandal. I’d rather spend her entire trust fund on hirin’ someone to drag you through the mud than let you get a piece of it.”

“Warren, he knows a lot of people in the industry andmedia.” Maisie’s tone sounds defeated as if she’s already given up on fighting about it.

“Good…they’re about to call him a homewrecker who tried to blackmail you in return for hush money. I’m no attorney, but I’m pretty certain extortion is illegal, and if found guilty, a serious felony charge. Imagine how that’ll look to his fans and agent.” I frown, feigning concern. “Now, I’m not well-versed in the publishin’ industry, but I’m gonna assume that’d be considered bad press, yeah? And doesn’t that riskhiscareer more than yours?”

I shrug again as if I’m too dumb to understand.