“Get out,” I clip.
“Make me.” She shrugs, pushing her long dark hair over her shoulder.
She’s wearing heels and a tight dress, suitable for a night out in a club. Disgust oozes from my pores. The outfit isn’t for my benefit. It’s for whoever she’s going to flirt with all evening in order to have her night funded.
Small bruises are fading in the crook of her elbow, and I stiffen, tightening my grip on Molly. God knows what she’s moved on to in addition to the alcohol.
Natasha twists her lips in amusement at the look on my face, then breaks into a cold laugh that makes her look unhinged.
My mouth goes dry.
I will not have her anywhere near Molly like this.
Without thinking I reach for my phone, pulling it from my pocket with one hand.
“This is a one-time fucking offer. So name your goddamn price,” I grind out, each word laced with threatening promise.
But Natasha ignores my tone, lighting up like a fucking Fourth of July fireworks show as I open up my banking app.
“I dunno. You’re asking a lot here.” She licks her lips, drawing it out. “You want me not to come back again? But now I know you live in such a beautiful place.” She opens her arms, gesturing around the grand reception area before turning to smile at Molly’s head of dark curls.
Bile gathers in my throat.
“And you want me to give up the chance to see my only daughter,” she whines theatrically, reaching for Molly again.
I step back, glaring at her in warning.
She tilts her head, narrowing her eyes. “One million.”
I tap the number into my phone without hesitation.
“Make that two million,” Natasha adds, watching me closely. “After all, you can afford it.”
I give her a tight grimace. Whatever her price is, I can afford it. There isn’t a number in existence I wouldn’t pay to get her away from Molly.
I hit send and turn the screen toward her.
“It’s all yours. Now get the fuck out,” I breathe.
Her eyes widen and she pulls out her own phone, a smile splitting her face in two as she checks her bank account.
“I need somewhere to stay. My flight back isn’t until tomorrow,” she adds.
My head spins. She was going to keep coming back until she saw Molly. She was damn determined this time.
Through gritted teeth, I snarl, “I have a suite at The Lanceford Hotel. Go to the front desk. I’ll call and tell them to expect you. But, Natasha…?”
She lifts her glazed eyes to mine, blinking at me through heavy smudged eye makeup.
“Yeah?”
“This is the last time we ever see you. Understand? You don’t ever turn up like this again. And you never call. It all stops now.”
She wobbles in her heels and gives me a sarcastic salute.
“With pleasure,Daddy,” she slurs.
I watch her as she weaves over to the main doors and spills out onto the street.
