“You want me to send a copy of my medical reports for proof? You leash him. You make damn sure that he steps back and drops the visitation bullshit because we both know, he can’t be the father she deserves.”
He’s quiet for a long moment.
“She is blind to his flaws.”
He pauses. Lets the weight settle. Then finishes.
“So, Deacon. If stepping in was your first move, tell me your second. Tell me exactly what you are planning to do now.”
I hold his gaze without blinking.
“I am going to keep Claudia and Savannah safe,” I say. “With or without your influence.”
His stance tenses, that pissed him off. Good.
“And if I told you I am willing to remove Dingy from the equation entirely,” he asks, “would you step back and let me handle him?”
I answer without hesitation.
“I will step back. But if he goes near them again, I am stepping in, whether you like it or not.”
“I want assurance this doesn’t come back on my family. That this stays out of the press. That my daughter’s future husband’s image isn’t tainted by a woman looking for a payday or a child?—”
“If you want to walk out of here without a busted nose, I suggest you shut the fuck up.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“I don’t make threats, and unlike your future son-in-law, when you turn and walk out, I won’t make a bitch move and hit you from behind. I’d make sure you saw whatever it is you have coming is seen.”
He doesn’t look afraid; he looks amused.
“Do you know her background?” he asks.
“You think you can rattle me?” I laugh. “You’re sadly mistaken.” I pull my phone out of my pocket. “That high horse you stand on, do you know what’s buried beneath it? Because I do and I have pictures to prove it.”
His face doesn’t turn red; it turns purple. “You have nothing.”
“I know about your affairs, and I know Emilia has always worn a crown, even in her college years in videos she starred in, willingly.”
“You son of a —”
I step to him, my nose a hair from his, “You leash him, and no one will ever find out. He comes after Savannah, or even looks in her or Claudia’s direction, I will buy front row seats to you losing everything you claim to love.”
“You tell Costello to watch his back.” He hisses.
“Costello doesn’t know a damn thing about Emilia’s college years; the pictures were not that easy to find.” I let that sink in and then give him another blow, “Or your infidelities. This is between you and me, unless of course, you can’t manage your players.” I pull an envelope out of my pocket and hand it to him. “The cherry, I don’t decide to have him arrested for assault once the ring goes on her finger.”
“One thing gets leaked, and I will bring you down with me.” He threatens as he snatches the envelope.
“Dig as deep as you want, there is not a damming thing you can find on me.” I smile in his fucking face, and he turns to leave. “One more thing.” He freezes, back straightening, but he doesn’t turn around. “You run your mouth about the team or Costello again, you will learn exactly what a team and a true family feels like.”
And then… he leaves.
TWENTY-FOUR
Claudia
Noelle finally getsthe night off, and we decide to cook dinner for the girls and Paul, who are all coming to watch the Utah game. I’m exhausted from working two full days of ‘onboarding’, but am confident the team, who all seem to share Dr. Benetti’s feelings on the contracted psychiatrist. I also have a good idea of how things will go on Wednesday when the Bears return home.
