“I’m not moving you to another room, and neither will Lexi. The motel you’re staying at? You’re paying for it. So if you’re ready to pay the bills for the 5-star Marriott down the street, be my guest.”
I leaned forward, hands on the table, while Margaret’s smile faded. “It’s time for you to stop asking Lexi for money,” I told Margaret. “It’s time for you to stop expecting to be waited on by Lexi. You’ve drained her dry for years, and clearly you aren’t about to stop unless someone makes you.”
She stared at me, a deep flush going over her neck.
“You’re older than her,” she observed simply. “So, you think you can boss her mom around?”
“Fifteen years older, yes. Lexi is aware of this.”
“Do you two plan to get married? Have kids together?”
“None of your business,” I said.
She had hardly been a mother figure to Lexi, growing up, and she didn’t need to start now.
“Can I meet Lexi today?” she asked, not even mentioning Evie. I frowned, and waited, but Margaret didn’t seem to notice that anything was off.
“Only if you promise to not mention a word about Dylan or your finances to her.” I leaned closer to her and lowered my voice. “Believe me when I say Lexi tells me everything. There are no secrets between us. So if you don’t keep your promise, I’ll know. And certain creditors will find out about your gambling aliases, and that illegal loan from last month.”
Her expression soured. Her fingers fidgeted with the handles of her bag, the only sign that she was weighing her next move.
“You’re cunning,” she said finally. “You know more than your face lets on.”
“I’ll be whatever I need to be to protect Lexi from getting hurt again,” I said, my voice low.
She swallowed hard and looked at me again. This time she was really looking. I could see it click in her eyes, the realization of exactly who I was to Lexi, and that I wasn’t someone she could manipulate.
“Alright,” she said. “I promise.”
I leaned back in my chair, evaluating her, trying to spot any sign of duplicity. But I didn’t see any. I’d find out soon anyway.
“One hour,” I said. “One hour is all you’ll get with Lexi this time.”
“This time?” she repeated, lifting a brow.
I nodded. “Your behavior with her today will determine if you get to see her again.”
“What are you? Her gatekeeper?” she laughed, but there was no humor in it.
I didn’t blink. “I’m the man who loves her. The one who won’t stand by while you hurt her like you always have.”
Her smile faltered, just slightly.
“So yes,” I added, “if that makes me the gatekeeper, then that’s exactly what I am.”
I got up and walked away just as our food arrived. I’d already paid in advance for our meal, and Margaret was welcome to eat it alone while she contemplated her next move.
If she kept her word, and didn’t harass Lexi for money or with snide references to Dylan, I would pay off her debts eventually. But slowly, so that she would have no choice but to keep her promise while she waited for the next installment. But she didn’t need to know that right away. I needed to see if she could keep her promise today. I would make her earn every single cent first.
I texted Lexi, asking her to meet me in my office in an hour. To prepare her for her meeting with her mother, sure, but also just to feel her, see her, and touch her again. It had been two days since we had seen each other, and I felt unnerved by it. I wanted to breathe the same air as she did. I wanted to share my bed with her, night after night, wake up next to her each morning. I fucking loved her so much.
An idea was starting to form in my mind. Lexi and Evie were starting to feel like family. And I always kept my family close.
It was something I’d talk about once the whole business with her mother was done.
54
LEXI
