“I know you do.” Tobias smooths back my hair, being careful—just like he always does—not to mess up my waves. “He deserves to be hated.”
“He’s trying to sue you for the cost of the wedding?” Trevor is flipping through the pages, reading what’s outlined within them. He snorts, but the sound isn’t amused. “The dumbass thinks he can sue you for the cost of your engagement ring too.” His face pinches in confused disbelief. “How did he even find an attorney willing to draft this thing up?”
“There are lots of people who will do anything for the right price.” And Matt knows all of them. He surrounds himselfwith people who can be bought. People who will give him what he wants as long as he fattens their bank accounts.
People like my parents.
“If you’re agreeable, I’ll send this to our company attorney. I know it’s not his area of expertise, but I’m sure he knows enough to give us some idea of how we can handle it.” Trevor focuses on me, lifting his brows. “Is that okay?”
My throat tightens a little as I nod my head. I know Tobias is on my side. He’s shown me that over and over again. The same with Deidre. Not only did she help me escape the wedding, but she also ended her affiliation with Matt and his business.
But I never expected Trevor would jump right into my mess, ready to fight alongside me.
He stands, shaking the papers a little. “If it’s okay with you, I’m going to make a copy of this, and then I’ll bring back the originals.”
Again I nod, but this time I also manage to get a handful of words out. “It’s okay with me.”
He turns for the door, still reading through the documents. “I’ll be back.”
He closes the door behind him, which I appreciate. I know there are a bunch of nosy people here—Maren can easily identify all of them since they’re where she gets her information—and I don’t necessarily want them peering at me when I’m at my worst.
And sitting on one of the owner’s lap.
My head drops back to Tobias's shoulder and I close my eyes. “That’s really nice of Trevor to send it to the attorney.”
“He has his moments.” There’s a slight smile in Tobias’s voice. “And you’re part of the family.”
“I don’t think that’s as common of an explanation as youthink it is.” I tip my head so I can look at his face. “From experience, I can tell you most families don’t give a shit about helping each other.”
My parents care about me helping them. They won’t hesitate to point out that it’s their blood running through my veins. But when things go the other way, and I’m the one who needs help, suddenly familial ties don’t mean anything.
“Then I guess you’re going to have to figure out a way to get used to it.” Tobias smiles. “Because I’m pretty sure you're stuck as part of the family whether you plan to keep me or not.”
25
Tobias
“Iswear, if I knew what that man was up to, I would have gone to California and brought her back here myself.” My mother slams around items as she puts the finishing touches on dinner and rants about Matt.
“I would’ve helped.” Trevor shakes his head. “The guy’s a world-class asshole. He knows damn well he won’t win this lawsuit.” His eyes flick to where Brooke sits at the table next to Mariah. “Especially once the truth of their relationship starts coming out.”
“He just wants to make her pay.” Literally and figuratively. “She left him, and he wants to punish her for it.” Little does the prick know, Brooke isn’t going to pay a dime. Every bill from the attorney we chose to represent her is coming to me, because she is worth every dime it takes to end this.
Tucker is close at my other side, voice low when he asks, “Are we all going to court?”
It’s not a bad thought. I would love to see the look on that fucker’s face when my whole family walks in. My mother included.
“I’m hoping we won’t have to go to court at all.” I shake my head. “I don’t want Brooke to have to deal with that.”
Trevor’s head snaps my way. “Are you seriously thinking about settling?”
“If I have the option, I’d consider it.” I’m not sure I’ll have the option though.
Matt doesn’t seem to be interested in actual money. He wants to humiliate Brooke. Drag her name through the mud. Keep her connected to him in some way for as long as humanly possible.
Even if it’s only through the courts.
“You better not give him a dime.” My mom points the tip of a knife at me. “We do not cower before small men.”
