“Why are you laughing?” Jake snapped. “Is it the irony that’s funny? You set out to ruin me, to make me lose everything. But look where you ended up. I’m still standing. Still have Stella and my son. What about you? What do you have now, huh?”
“I have more than you could ever imagine, Jake.”
He scoffed, clearly thinking she was bluffing.
“You spoke about my family,” Emily began softly. “You don’t have to worry about us. Our relationship is not perfect, never has been, but we’ll be perfectly fine. It didn’t take much effort after hearing that you were out of my life for good. You know they never really liked you. Oh, and I heard you borrowed money from my father?”
His mouth opened swiftly to argue but she held up a hand. “It doesn’t matter at this point anyway. Seems like you won’t last much longer at your beloved company. Let’s just hope Steven isn’t successful in getting you out, yes?” She raised a perfectly arched eyebrow. “And my love life?”
His lips tugged upward.
“I’m already married, Jake.”
His smile was gone.
“What?”
Wiping at her eyes, Emily held her stomach as she chuckled. She was feeling more broken than satisfied, but she had to see it through. “I said, I’m married, Jake. Have been since I learned about your infidelity.”
His words were frigid. “Did you cheat on me?”
“Again playing the victim?”
“Who the fuck is he?”
She looked at him, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Oh, you’d love to know, wouldn’t you?”
He growled. “Stop fucking with me and tell me!”
“If I tell you who he is, I don’t think your pride will be able to handle it,” she sang, then gave him a once-over. “Goodbye, Jake.”
She didn’t need to use Nicolas anymore—shewouldn’tfor someone like him. He wasn’t worth it.
Jake grabbed her wrist as she turned on her heels. “You don’t get to leave until I tell you to, you bitch!”
He raised his left hand. Emily’s heart stopped. She screwed her eyes shut, bracing herself for the impact.
However, it never landed.
She reopened them to see that someone had pulled him back, fast and firm.
He staggered, almost falling to the floor.
Emily looked up to see Nicolas. Relief loosened her chest. Tears pricked her eyes. God, she felt like she hadn’t missed him more than now. Cameron and the other bodyguard stood flanking her chair, one on each side, their presence forming a barrier that left little space for any doubt that they were here to protect her.
“Step away from her.”
“Nicolas,” Jake growled. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
If looks could kill, Jake would’ve been six feet under.
“You don’t need to concern yourself with why I’m here. What you do need to know is that if you ever raise your hand like that again, prepare to never be able to use it.”
Jake glanced between them, his eyes boring into Emily. “Is it him?”
His face reddened at her silence, and a wild glint flickered in his eyes. “Emily, you’ve got to be kidding me. You’ve. Got. To. Be. Fucking. Kidding. Me.Him?!Are you serious?Pleasetell me you’re not serious.” His chest rose rapidly. “Is it because you know I hate him? Is that why you did this? I can’t fucking believe you!” he spat angrily.
Nicolas gave him a hard look. “Why? Surprised her taste has improved?”
