The only one at the table to respond with frivolity was Lara, who threw her head back and cackled. She would be the first to sell. With a quip about once fucking Alicia’s wife, of course. By this point, Mrs. Moreau expected – and demanded – nothing less.
Alicia and Abby sat in a private corner of the country club, sipping complimentary iced teas that came with membership.Of course my wife is a member, even though she never comes.Alicia might have to change that. There was plenty of business potential here. Her wife was just too stubborn to come by and take advantage of it.
“Everything’s been filed.” Abby showed her boss the confirmation window on their shared work tablet. “Only caveat is that Mrs. Warner’s shares will take a while to transfer to your name. Perhaps a few days.”
“That’s fine.” It would have to be.
“You know what this means, ma’am.” Such a rhetorical question. Alicia didn’t need her assistant to tell her what it meant. As soon as Monique’s shares transferred, Alicia was looking at a nice percentage of her wife’s company in her hands.
No rest for the weary, though. Alicia had a sizable check to cut to Mrs. Fraser to cover the cost of joining the association. Poor Alicia. Her brand-new bank account was already depleted, with only twenty million left. Her most recent investment returns hadn’t come in yet.
Alicia shook Charlene Fraser’s hand once the check was handed over. “Such a pleasure having you join us, Mrs. Moreau,” the president of the society said. “There is some paperwork for you to still fill out, but everything should be in order by next month’s meeting.”
“Moving up in the world, are we?”
Abby tensed next to her boss. Alicia, on the other hand, coolly turned to see her father-in-law standing in one of the country club’s empty hallways.Wasn’t empty half an hour ago. Howmany polo players could this place pack? Alicia wouldn’t know. Her interest in horses had ended when she was twelve. “Getting some work done. Turns out your daughter doesn’t care much for the country club.” Alicia smiled. “I can see why now. This is apparently your haunt.”
“A man goes where he is most wanted,” Russell quipped. There was nothing friendly directed at Alicia. Of course not.This man would rather see me dead than married to his daughter and bearing Moreau babies.Alicia put her hand on her stomach.Stay with me, little one.The bleeding had stopped after one stressful day. Since then, Alicia had spent two mornings throwing up before laying out her wife’s things for the day. At first, Danica freaked out enough to try hauling her back to the hospital (yet again), but Alicia assured her this was normal pregnancy bullshit.I remember my mother throwing up constantly when she was pregnant with my brother.“A woman should do the same.”
Alicia would not flinch before him, even though her throat burned with bile. “I have felt quite wanted wherever I go, sir. By the way, Danica keeps talking about having you come to dinner. She wants to show you our new place and what we’re doing with the nursery.”Don’t come. For the love of God, keep turning down our invitations.Alicia didn’t like the idea that avoiding this man could be the rest of his life, but what else could she do? She had no evidence that he tried to have her killed. As long as the people close to her believed her…
Dee appeared in the corner of her eye. The bodyguard’s stance was casual, but her glare was firmly on Alicia’s father-in-law.
“Unfortunately, my schedule is full. Besides, I thought I had heard something… terrible, about the state of my grandchild. My utmost sympathies. I’m sure it was hard.”
Fuck that twinkle in his eye. Alicia could never stop thinking of what Julia Moreau told her about her ex-husband arrangingmiscarriages that he initially begat because he didn’t want illegitimate heirs running around.That’s what he thinks my baby is.Illegitimate, even though my wife will most definitely claim it as her heir. Son or daughter, it didn’t matter. Danica had spent more than one night blabbering about how happy she would be with a brood of girls or a gaggle of boys. Of course, a mix of the two would be the greatest preference.
“Whatever you’ve heard was misinformation,” Alicia continued. “We had a little scare after my tumble down the stairs.” She narrowed her eyes. “You knew that, though.”
“Why, I don’t know what you’re implying.”
Their stalemate was short-lived. “My baby is fine. With any luck, I’ll have a full doctor’s report for you. Choose the doctor if you like, but I am having this baby. Your grandchild.”
Russell chuckled. “I do so look forward to it.” Another laugh. “Have I told you that you remind me of Clarissa?”
“A few times.”
“Real bitch, my grandmother. You know what she did? As soon as my parents died, she swept in and took control of everything. I was sixteen. I was perfectly capable of taking over some things, but did she let me? No. I had to wait for the cunt to die. By then, I was already my daughter’s age.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that, sir. I’m sure you would’ve been a perfectly good CEO at sixteen.”What a narcissist.
“Yes. I would have.” Russell approached, slowly, scaring off Abby and bringing Dee closer. He did not touch Alicia, however. “I worked hard to build this company in my image. I have worked harder to make sure my daughter sees my vision and doesn’t mess it up when I’m gone. Do you think I’m going to let you waltz in here and dismantle everything?”
“I’m not dismantling. I’m building.”
“Christ,” Russell muttered. “Before you get in even deeper, Alicia, may I suggest you finally take a look at that folder I gaveyou. Some interesting things in there. You still have time to go back on your decisions, after all.” He glanced at her abdomen. “I can be quite generous until I’m pushed to the end.”
He had been pushed multiple times already. Alicia pivoted and marched away, Abby scurrying behind her. Dee was the only one who lingered between Alicia and Russell.
“For fuck’s sake!” Alicia flung open the door to the women’s restroom and stopped in front of the sink. Abby followed her in. Dee stayed outside. “That man is the absolute worst.”
Abby was still pale as she joined Alicia in washing her hands.
“What’s wrong?”
The assistant looked away before Alicia could further comment on her mood. She wasn’t acting like this until Russell showed up.
“What has he done to you?”
