“You have no right to ask these questions,” Paloma snapped.“And it’s doubly insulting because no man would have to answer for his personal life choices.”
She settled next to my hip with Bree cuddled against her chest.She patted my hand, glaring at Gunnar.
“No one has a right to the details of my private life, but I’m willing to answer the questions one time.”I gave Gunnar a look that should have cowed him.It didn’t.Of courseit didn’t.The man was a bloody billionaire, and he owned a professional sports team.
But he did sigh.His gaze flicked to Cruz’s and Paloma’s before returning to mine.“You’re correct.I apologize.”
Those words hung in the air.No one moved.A heaviness settled over us as Gunnar and I continued our face-off.
“I made a misstep in my comments,” Gunnar said.“I want you to know that I believe you, Millie, and I know Chasten is…”
“A ragged trash heap of a man who only finds joy in using others and gathering more wealth to pad his bottomless ego?”Paloma offered.
Gunnar’s lips shifted upward into the faintest of smiles, but his eyes glowed with humor.“Yes.That.Best way I’ve heard him described.Let me leave it at this: I’m not a fan of your father.”
“Makes two of us,” I said.
He pulled a thick pile of papers from his briefcase.“This is your mother’s will.I’m guessing you’ve never read it,” he said, handing the packet to me.
I frowned.“I… No.She died when I was young.”
Gunnar’s eyes had gone colder than the Arctic.This was the brutal businessman that had clawed his way to the top of the oil business in a foreign country.
“And Chasten never offered you any details.”
I shook my head.
“The key piece of information is thatyour motherbrought substantial wealth to the marriage.”
“Notmy father,” I said.I inhaled, realizing what he was telling me.“And I’m my mother’s beneficiary, which means my father can’t really disown me from wealth that was never his.”
Gunnar’s smile was as cold as his eyes.“Indeed.I highlighted a few parts I think you’ll find enlightening—and helpful.”
I gripped the papers so tightly in my hands, I worried about paper cuts.“Would you be willing to recommend an attorney that deals in family and wealth litigation, Gunnar?”
Humor crept back into his expression.Maybe because I’d used his first name—a deliberate attempt to put us on more even footing, which we clearly weren’t.
“I’d be delighted to.In fact, I made you an appointment for next Monday morning.”
That was in three days.Would Luka be back then?I didn’t want to go alone.
I didn’t want tobealone.
I wanted Luka.
“Nine a.m.Perhaps Cruz and the rest of the team would like to join you.”Gunnar flicked his fingers at the corner of the pages.“Once you read through this and talk to Jonathan Dresden, you can tell me if you agree with my logic: cornered, injured animals are at their most dangerous.One thing about the Wildcatters, we don’t letour peopletake unnecessary risks.”
I struggled forward, my lingering belly still making it difficult for me to rise.Cruz was there to help me—and so, it seemed, was Gunnar.
“Thank you,” I said.
“Don’t thank me yet.And I’m going to recommend that Luka take a paternity test.”
This time, it was Paloma who made the guttural sound.Gunnar’s eyes turned sad as he looked her direction, but his expression remained neutral.
“Noted,” I said through clenched teeth.That was smart; something I should have suggested.I wished I had because then I wouldn’t have this gaping pit in my chest, making me wonder if Luka would hear the mere idea of a test and run away.
“You need to leave,” Paloma said.Her hands remained fisted and her face flushed, matching her hair.
