“Well then, you won’t be needing anything from us,” her mother said. “For now. I’m sure you’ll be back looking for a handout or for something because this is all just a phase. You’re playing at being independent, you’re dating an ordinary man, but you’ll miss all of this. Trust me.”
“That’s an interesting choice of words, Mother,” Maisie said, her grip tight on her purse strap. “Because I believe you tried to leave Dad multiple times and he always managed to buy you back. There’s a word for a person who allows people to pay for them.”
“Maisie! What in the world?” The outrage in her mother’s voice was almost comical.
“And then you’d come back and end up in rehab. Of course you told people you were vacationing in Europe, but you were really in rehab in Arizona.”
“But…who…how?”
“That’s enough, Maisie,” her father snapped. “You will not come in here and make these kinds of accusations.”
“Why not? Afraid I’ll tell you what I know about you?” she taunted, and had to admit, it was kind of thrilling to be the one in control.
“Bribes to senators to cover up for your environmental crimes,” she said, stepping toward him. “The payoffs to city officials to protect your real estate interests. The affairs. The fact that you framed your own brother for…”
“That is enough!” he shouted as he got to his feet. “I don’t know where you got your information or…”
“Seriously? After the report I got on the Chadsworths, you didn’t think I’d do the same for you?”
It took a solid minute, but he finally sat down. “What do you want? Just say it and get it over with.”
“I want my credit cards back and everything you took from me before tossing me out with that shitty truck,” she began. “And I want the two of you to back out of my personal life. I don’t want you to ever use me as a negotiating tool for anything, and don’t you dare even think of trying to force me to marry anyone. Ever. My life is my own.”
“You won’t get another dime from us,” her mother chimed in.
“That’s fine because I can’t be bought like some people.” She let out a long breath and pulled the folder out of her purse and tossed it down on the coffee table. “That’s your copy. I have mine. Now if you’ll get me my things, I’d like to take Axel to one of my favorite places for dinner.”
Turning, she smiled at him and saw how hard he was trying not to laugh.
“And we’re selling your condo,” Dominique added, and, surprisingly, her father was the one to stop her from going any further.
“We’re not selling the condo, and she’s not being cut off,” he said quietly. “The condo was a gift. Her car was a gift. She’s never been an extravagant shopper. Not like some people.”
The snicker was out before she could stop it.
When her father stood again and faced her, she couldn’t quite read his expression. “You’ve never squandered money, and I don’t expect that to start now. Your trust fund will kick in soon, and until then, you’ll continue to receive your monthly allowance just as you always have.”
“Alex, are you insane! Why are you giving her anything? She’s essentially blackmailing us!”
His mirthless laugh sounded overly loud in the room. “And where do you think she learned that behavior from, my dear? Should we really be surprised?” Then he looked at Maisie. “You turned into a formidable force.” And then he looked at Axel. “I’m guessing you probably had something to do with that.”
Axel stepped forward. “No, sir. Maisie’s been strong all along. I’ve just been happy to encourage her to let other people see it.”
“Mm-hmm.”
He took another step forward. “Oh, one more thing. If you ever even think of talking to her or treating her with disrespect again, I’ll personally come here and beat the living shit out of you.” With a broad smile, he added, “Don’t make me come back here. I’m not a fan of the city. But I am a big fan of punching pretentious assholes in the face.”
Giggling, Maisie walked over and linked her arm through his. “Would you like to grab some dinner now? I know a place that I think you’ll really enjoy.”
“We’ll leave as soon as these people give you what’s rightfully yours.” He glared at her father. “That’s your cue to move your ass.”
Without even a hint of hesitation, her father quickly strode from the room and was back in two minutes and handed Maisie a small leather satchel. “Everything’s in there.”
“She’ll be the judge of that,” Axel said, taking the bag and opening it for her.
Fortunately, everything was there.
“I’d like to say it was good to see you, but…oh, wait, it was!” Maisie said with a laugh. “But I don’t think we should do it again for a while. Take care! Bye!”
