"How do you suggest we do that?" I rolled my eyes before scrubbing both hands over my face.
"Go public with the marriage." He said it so casually, as if it was the most obvious solution in the world. "Make it seem less like you were trying to sexually abuse a woman and more like you were caught up in a whirlwind romance. The public eats that up."
I didn't even have to think about how to respond to that. I'd given Lainey my word. "Absolutely not."
"Excuse me?"
"I said no." I stood up and crossed my arms. "I'm not going to destroy her life because you're worried about the family reputation." Hurting Lainey so publicly seemed like an absolutely jerk move. I wouldn't do it. I had already spouted off to her ex; I wouldn't add insult to injury.
My father set down his glass and glared up at me with narrowed eyes. "Then you're more foolish than I thought. Didn't Daniel tell you what I have planned? You really think you'll inherit my empire if you trash your own name? This is the best way to protect your reputation."
"Then find another way to protect it." I stomped toward the door. "I'm not doing this." I couldn't believe what he was saying. I understood how the press worked and I could see how they'd spin that story, but I'd just sue them for libel and slander.
"Are you really going to let this gold digger ruin everything?" Dad's voice was hard as diamonds. "She's got you so duped you can't even see what she's doing."
I spun around and felt rage surge through me. "Don't call her that."
"Why not? That's what she is." He stood up and faced me across the desk. "She probably planned the whole thing, and now she's got you wrapped around her finger. Wake up, Kade."
"You don't know anything about her." My hands clenched into fists at my sides. "I'm working on the annulment that she's agreed to without the harsh media tactics you're suggesting."
"Then why are you still wearing the ring?" He pointed at my hand and I looked down at the band I'd forgotten about again. "Why haven't you filed the papers yet? Why are you protecting her?"
His voice followed me out the door as he continued shouting, but I ignored him. Heat burned in my cheeks. I hadn't taken that ring off because I didn't want to take the ring off. I wanted it on my finger, and I wanted her on my arm, and nothing was going the way I wanted. Mostly because I kept placating her, giving her what she wanted, which seemed to be the annulment and distance from me.
That's what her words said anyway, but her actions confused me, because she pulled me in as much as she said she was pushing me away.
Angry and confused, I took the elevator down to the casino level and headed straight for the bar. The noise and lights were overwhelming, but I needed a drink and to be somewhere far away from my father.
Jimmy saw me coming and had my usual waiting before I even sat down. I downed half of it in one gulp and signaled for another. Anything to drown the wrestling thoughts in my head.
"Rough night?"
I looked up and saw Gavin sliding onto the stool next to me. He was dressed in an expensive suit and had an easy smile, like he was looking for trouble.
"You have no idea," I muttered.
"Your dad?" He ordered his own drink and settled in. "I saw you heading up to his office earlier."
"Yeah, this whole thing with the woman from last month." I finished my first drink and reached for the second as I thought about that night, now almost seven weeks ago. "He wants to throw her to the wolves."
Gavin raised his eyebrows. "And you said no?"
"Of course I said no." I turned to face him. "I'm not gonna destroy her life just to save face with the media."
Gavin narrowed his eyes on me and then his lips turned into a stupid grin, followed by a rumbling chuckle. "You really care about this girl."
"Shut up," I grumbled, and took another drink. "She's not a gold digger and she's not trying to trap me."
"Woah, geez. I believe you." Gavin glanced around the bar and then gestured to someone across the room. "But you look tense. Let me help with that."
Within seconds there were women surrounding us—tall ones, short ones, dark-haired and blonde. Two months ago, I mighthave taken one to my room to blow off steam, but tonight the idea repulsed me. The thought of Lainey finding out and being hurt by it crushed any thought of another woman.
"Thanks, but no thanks," I said, waving them off, which drew a round of disappointed whines.
They looked confused but left without argument, and Gavin stared at me as if I'd grown a second head. "Did you just turn down a gaggle of sexy women?" he asked.
"I'm not in the mood, Gavin." Jimmy poured me another drink and his eyes flicked between the two of us, but I scowled at him. He got the point and walked off.
