I glance up at the corner of the room, then back to his snarl. A smirk unfurls on my lips. I pat his arm. “Now Billy. Is that anyway to greet someone who comes bearing gifts?”
He glares at me as I enter the room full of swagger, despite my fucking leg killing me and the overwhelming need to strangle the motherfucker. But all that pain and anger fades the moment I see her.
“Poppy.” I freeze on the spot, my heart stutters. She looks well. It’s clear her father’s been taking care of her. Though it should have been me buying her new clothes.
Her ruby lips part like she’s about to speak, but nothing comes out. Her green eyes match her pretty knee length dress like she’s about to take high tea in the restaurant. A small jewelled clip pins her wavy red hair up on one side, showing a small pearl earring. Of course, Billy has an abundance of jewellery. He was probably back to his old tricks as soon as he left the nick.
“All right, lad. This business proposition better involve my necklace.” Billy pours himself a whiskey, but doesn’t offer me one, then sits on the sofa, swirling the amber liquid in the glass. “You better start talking, lad. I haven’t got all day.”
I crack my neck. Every bone in my body tenses as I hold back the anger towards him, reminding myself that this is all for her.
She sits at the desk near the window, her chunky knees rub together like she’s nervous as hell. I need to touch her, hold her, and take her home to make love to her. Though she’ll hate me even more soon enough. At least she’ll know the sort of man her father is. If she doesn’t already.
I pinch the fabric of my trousers, lifting at the knee as I sit opposite him on another leather sofa. The only thing between us is a glass coffee table and a crackle in the atmosphere. “Like I said, I have a business proposition for you, seeing as we both have something the other wants.”
“And what is it exactly that you have?”
“I have the hidden asset in my possession.”
“Prove it.”
I dig my phone from my jacket pocket and show him the video I took this morning against the TV with today’s news playing.
He sucks in a breath, examining the footage for any clues of its whereabouts as I knew he would. As calculating as he is, I didn’t come here without insurance.
He sips a drink of his whiskey. “And what is it you want from me in exchange for the piece?”
I glance at Poppy, her expression wide-eyed. She knows exactly what I want. “I want your daughter.”
The whiskey tumbler clatters against the glass coffee table, but he doesn’t speak for a moment as if he’s thinking it over.
Poppy stands. “You can’t buy me.” She looks between Billy and me. Her beautiful face wrinkles.
Billy snarls at me like a wolf protecting his young. Though it’s short-lived. “Just what are your intentions with my daughter?” He’s considering it. Just like I knew he would.
I gaze at Poppy, her fists dig into her generous hips, the same hips I want to squeeze while she rides my face. Her cheeks redden as she gives me a look that says, don’t you fucking dare say what you’re thinking.
My lips curl into a smile. I do want to fuck her, and she knows it, but that’s not my only intention. “I want to marry your daughter.” My eyes don’t leave hers. I expected her to blurt out in protest, but I’ve finally rendered her speechless.
She steps back. Her fingers turn white as she grips the back of the chair she was sitting in.
Billy leans forward. “And that’s it?”
Poppy finally breaks her silence. “That’s it? What do you mean, that’s it? This is my life. You can’t sell me.”
Billy ignores her, waving his hand as if silencing a fly.
“Yes. I’ll take her now. I can have the asset with you by lunch.”
He rubs his hands over the short grey beard on his chin, but it doesn’t take long for him to come to a decision. “Deal.”
Poppy screeches the chair as she slides it under the table with force. “Deal? You’re selling me. You’re actually selling me.”
Billy stands. “You told me he wouldn’t hurt you. Begged me not to kill him. Said he was kind to you and took care of you. Did you lie?”
Her eyebrows pinch. “No.”
“Then I’ll help you pack. It’s not personal, just business, peanut.”
