“It’s all in sterling,” I say, taking no pleasure in the fact I’m paying him off in currency of my own name. I’d pay him off in any damn currency he wants if it means the prick will leave Hallie alone for good.
“I can see that.” His lips twitch, and he lifts up a thick wedge and tears open the wrapper to sniff it.
My lip curls in disgust. “You don’t ever call her again. You don’t ever look her up online to see how much she’s thriving without you leeching off her. You. Don’t. Come. Back.” I step closer, and he takes a step back, even though his chin juts up in defiance. My nose grazes his as I lean in. “From now on, you don’t damn wellexist.”
He clears his throat, readjusting his collar, and inches back, eyeing the money again.
“Must be nice for Halliday, having a billionaire who wants to look after her.” His eyes drop over my suit. “How old did you say you were? Sixty?”
I slam the briefcase lid closed, narrowly missing cutting his fingers off with it. I lift it by the handle and shove it into his chest.
“I performed the courtesy of booking your flight home. Your cab will be here for you within the hour.”
He takes the briefcase, and my blood finally cools a degree for the first time since I hammered on his door. I could do a whole lot worse than send him on his way with enough money to solve his problems. But I’m giving him a chance to do the wise thing, the mature thing.
For Hallie.
If he cares for her at all, then he’ll see this as an opportunity to do what’s best for her.
Disappear.
I’m halfway to the door when his words hit my back.
“I bet you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth, huh? Living your life and having all this money, never getting your hands dirty. Bet you never did a real day’s work in your life.”
I don’t turn around, but I swivel my head over my shoulder just enough that he can’t miss my glare.
“It’s best you don’t think about what my hands get to do every day, Boy.”
His face pales before he scoffs. “No! Last night will have been a one-off for her. A mistake. She won’t chain herself to an old man who needs a pill to get it up.”
I chuckle, and he stares at me as if I’ve gone mad.
I don’t care what he thinks. I’ve got the love of a beautiful woman who burns as fiercely for me as I do for her. I’m not getting pulled into a dick measuring contest with a kid who looks like his mom still buys his shirts.
“Start packing. You don’t want to miss your cab.”
Hallie jumps up from the large sectional sofa as I walk into the living area.
“Are you okay?” She rushes to me and loops her arms around my neck, pulling me to her for a kiss.
“I am now,” I murmur, kissing her back and lifting her into my arms. She wraps her legs around my waist, and I carry her to the kitchen counter, resting her on top of it.
“I thought you might have gone to see Rory.”
“I did.”
“Sterling…” She exhales in a rush. “You don’t know what he’s like. He’s this bad smell that comes back worse the more you try to get rid of him. We’re better off avoiding him until I’ve had a chance to see my parents. I have to tell them face-to-face.”
I gently extract her lower lip from where she’s biting it and study her face. I can still see the worry in her eyes. Rory turning up has rattled her.
“If he’s smart, then he’ll not be bothering you again.”
Hope blooms in her eyes, and I hate that it even needs to be there in the first place. She’s strong and capable. But Rory has been playing on those strengths—her love and devotion to those she loves, her pure heart—and he’s used them to blackmail her. He’s taken her fears about not being able to fulfill Jenny’s legacy by spreading love and about letting down the charity. And he’s used them for his selfish gain.
I should have killed him in that hotel room.
“You’re so tense.”
