“You are?” Her eyes lit up like the buzzers on top of slot machines.
I had no clue how she could be so excited over something that had led to so much pain for her.
“Yep. Come on, let’s have a drink and celebrate.”
We did a little more than that.
I ended up back at her mother’s house, fucking Bexley on her small bed. It was the skin-slapping, aggressive, it’s-been-too-long kind of fucking, not the languorous making love we’d once done. I assumed she was still on the pill, and I didn’t ask any questions before diving into what I still considered to be mine. What would always be mine.
I marked her neck, and she bit my nipple, running her tongue along my chest. My skin smelled like her when we were finished. Afterward, when I dragged my clothes back on, I decided not to shower.
I had to go ... her mom couldn’t find me there. Not after I broke her heart.
Bexley called a cab for me, and I was gone before the sun came up or I could question my actions. As I dragged myself into the carriage house behind my dad’s mansion, he sat waiting for me, questioning enough for both of us.
Of course he’d been watching me. He knew what I’d done, and threatened to take away what was mine—my partnership at Federal, and any chance at ever taking over the company.
When he demanded that I end it with Bexley, once again, I agreed. I owed it to my mom. She hadn’t endured all his bullshit for me not to get that damn company. No way in hell was he going to give it to his new kids.
A month later, I heard Bexley had married Seth, the jerk she’d been seeing. They’d gone down to City Hall and made it official. At least she didn’t go to Vegas.
Aston
Present day
“Ihave another daughter,” I said to Aidan, sitting across from him at his overpriced law firm.
“We know this already, Aston. We’re taking care of all the paperwork you requested, setting up a trust fund and college-saving accounts. But we really do need to talk about the case. You’re wanted for some very serious crimes. The fact you’re walking around a free man is a small miracle, a gift of having money and status—”
Kicking my feet out in front of me, I stared at him. “Look, I didn’t do anything. We’ve been over this. Someone planted that shit there and then called in the Feds. I’m out on bail because they don’t have a case against me, and they fucking know it.”
My hair tickled the back of my neck, and I reminded myself for the millionth time to schedule a haircut.
“This new piece of evidence definitely helps. Do you think you can get them to testify?” Aidan asked, still talking in vague terms because it was a delicate situation.
“Yes. I’ll handle that. More importantly, I have a kid. A daughter. I want the prick to give up his rights, and I want visitation. I’ll pay whatever Bex wants.”
Aidan shook his head. “I’m pretty sure Bexley isn’t going to limit visits. I’m not even sure we need to be so formal with all the paperwork, which is odd for me to be saying. Do you need to really poke the bear when it comes to this Seth guy? He could take you for a ride.”
Leaning forward, I squinted. “Give him whatever he wants. Get him out of my daughter’s life.”
“Pardon me for saying this, Aston, but you knew she existed. You could have waded in a long time ago. What’s the big push now?”
“Because she’s mine and the time is right. I had to wait. My life was a mess.”
“And it’s not now?” Aidan stared at me, and this time it was his turn to squint.
“You know I’m working on all that other shit. But I’m free of Cass, and it’s time for me to be with Bexley.”
“You’re a piece of work, Aston.”
“Yep.” I stood and gave him a salute before walking out.
Snatching my phone out of my pocket, I saw a missed call from the star witness in my case. I texted that I would call later, when I had privacy, and made my way to my car.
Aidan knew I’d wrap this up in a bow for him. Christ, look what I’d done with Piper. I had everything wrapped up tight before meeting her.
Speaking of her made me think of her mother, and I swiped my finger across my phone.
