I stepped closer to Julian, locking eyes with him. “Tell me everything you know about my ex-wife. I need the truth if I’m going to help you.”
“I don’t think you want the details,” he muttered, grimacing as he knocked back his whiskey. It wasn’t the drink that soured him—it was her.
“Don’t think for a second I can’t take it,” I shot back. “Whatever Saira and I had is dead. It was never love—just convenience.”
He exhaled, shoulders heavy. “She vowed to ruin Sapphire and her family. She’s funding my university research. If I don’t keep serving her, she’ll pull out, and my colleagues will lose their jobs.”
“Serving?” I arched a brow.
His voice cracked. “I’m her sub. She’s my Domme.”
“Bloody hell.” Heat surged through me. “She’s twisting consent into blackmail, forcing you into this shit.” I slammed my glass down, stripping off my jacket, fury burning hot. How many men and women did she break into her service, disguising slavery as power?
Julian shrugged off his jacket too. “Sit down. I’ll tell you everything.”
An hour later, we were both reaching for another drink. His story was enough—I’d heard the depths of her rot. Useful details, yes, but nothing I didn’t already suspect. Saira was clever, with friends tucked inside the justice system to keep her untouchable. Still, Julian and I agreed on one thing: she was a criminal and an unfit mother.
I’d call her myself, deliver a cease-and-desist: stop harassing Julian or deal with the consequences. Playing dirty with the she-devil didn’t prick my conscience. Julian would go to her first and drop my name. That alone should scare her straight.Should.
“Julian, would you be willing to make a legal statement? Everything you’ve just told me,” I asked. “I want full custody of my son.”
He folded his arms, shaking his head. “No. I won’t make things worse. And without her funding, my project collapses.”
“Forget Saira. I’ll help you.”
“It’s a lot of money. I don’t?—”
“Money is not a concern,” I said, lowering my voice.
“No, it never is for people like you. The one percenters.” Julian gritted his teeth, revealing his distaste for the privileged.
“If you want Saira gone, put your pride aside and let me keep your project alive. I’ll fund you. I’ll rally donations from others, too.”
His brow furrowed. “Why are you doing this for me?” He took a long sip, then scoffed. “I’m just some guy off the street. You don’t know me.”
“I know your story through your sister,” I set down my glass. “Listen, you’ll get your woman. Give her time.”
He blinked. “Come again?”
“I understand. Loving someone who feels out of reach.” A sigh slipped out of my lips.
Julian’s jaw locked. “It’s Vera, isn’t it? That’s why you’re here. She’s the one you’ve been sniffing out.”
I didn’t bother lying. “Yes.”
HE shot to his feet, fists curling. “Whatever you feel for her, stop.”
“Excuse me?”
Julian let out a hard laugh. “Vera’s not for sale. You can have models, actresses, anyone you want. But not her. She doesn’t belong in your world. Let her be.”
“Don’t you think she should decide who she wants to be with, Professor Richland?” I rolled my sleeves and crossed my arms.
“She’s already decided. She wants to be left alone.” Julian mirrored me, tugging his sleeves to his elbows. For a split second, I wondered if I pulled out the fighter in him.
“Look, I get it. You’re the closest thing to being her father, but ease up,” I said, knowing how closely he’d guarded her all her life
“I’m the only father figure she’s got. You have no idea how that feels.” He rubbed his forehead, then placed his hands on his hips.
