“Damaging?How.I don’t understand.”
His eyes narrow dangerously.“Quite the feisty little thing, aren’t you?I can see why Zach finds you entertaining.”
“Oh, I’m more than entertainment for your son, believe me.”
His lips twitch at that.He doesn’t like what I’ve just said.
“Such a diva, with your tendency to dramatize,” he says.“Just like your mother.”
His words snap something tight inside my chest—fear, restraint, all of it pulling at once.
“Get out,” I hiss, gritting my teeth together.
He steps closer instead.
My pulse skids and every instinct tells me to back away, to put distance between us, but I force my feet to stay planted.My hand curls into a fist by my side, nails cutting into my palm.I lift my chin, even though my throat feels too tight to swallow.
I won’t show weakness.I won’t.
His gaze sharpens.“I can make this easy for you.You walk away, quietly, and I’ll make sure you’re well taken care of.How does fifty thousand dollars sound?”
I laugh once, sharp and twisted.I can’t believe my ears.Can’t believe that he thinks he can do this again.Can’t believe the audacity and arrogance.
“It sounds like a dirty little bribe.You can’t buy me off.I don’t care who you think you are.”
A muscle along his jawline jumps.“Don’t dismiss it.Think about it.”
“You’re a despicable man.You’re a liar and a cheat, and the saddest thing, apart from your wife dying by suicide, is how Zach can’t see how ugly your heart is.”My heart pounds so fiercely in my chest, it makes me dizzy.I can’t believe I’ve said those words to him, neither can he, judging by the withering look he gives me.
“Don’t you dare talk about my—”
“Your wife?The one you cheated on?You had a mistress.You fathered another family.At least, those are the ones we know about.”I don’t know where my strength has come from.On some level, a level I don’t care to examine right now, it feels wrong to bring up Zach’s mother, and the mistress and innocent children, but this vile serpent of a man isn’t holding back, and I don’t intend to, either.“Are there more?Do you even know?”
“Shut your filthy little mouth.”
“Does the truth hurt?”
His lips twist and he steps towards me, like he’s going to lunge for me.This man is the devil dressed in a designer suit, and right now he could do anything to me.I suddenly feel scared and quickly look around for something, a weapon, a shield,anything.
His nostrils flare, hands fisted deeper in his pockets like he’s trying to control himself.“Blood always wins.You’re playing a pathetic little game.”
“By being with Zach?”
“It’s just sex.All men need it.”
I feel sick.
I don’t move.He’s the lowest of the low.How is Zach even related to him?Somehow I manage to say the words I think might hurt him.“Zach loves me.And I love him, and if he knew the truth about you, he would hate you forever.”
He snorts.“Love?This is just teenage drama and angst that you’re mistaking for love.You don’t even know what the word means.”
“I know exactly what it means.You, however, have no fucking idea.”
“Careful.”
I’ve hit another sore nerve.No one has challenged this man before, or rarely, and so every truth I throw at him lands like the verbal grenade I intended it to be.
“You love money, but when you die, you can’t take it with you.You will realize what a wasted life you’ve lived.Not even your sons want to breathe the same air as you.”
