Page 99 of Worth Risking It

He squinted further, his upper lip twitching. “Am I supposed to believe that?”

“Yes. You have no reason to be concerned. Either of you,” I added, glancing at Alberts who had finally finished putting on his jacket to sit in the chair. His elbows on the desk, his palms were together, covering his mouth, chin, and nose.

“What’s the catch?”

I stared at Jack, lifting a brow. “I simply ask that you leave me alone.”

His chin tucked to a shoulder, clearly caught off guard. “Excuse me?”

“Look, I’m very aware of your plan to get rid of me. I overheard you a few days after Meyers’s funeral.”

His eyelids rounded, a muscle in his jaw twitching. “Why would I want to get rid of you—”

“Don’t bother to deny it, I’ve been married to you too long for you to insult anyone with lies at this point.” Huffing, pressing my palms to my chest, I dropped my defenses and whined, “I just want to be with my kids, Jack. That’s all.” Motioning to Alberts, I said, “I honestly don’t care about your affair. You can keep seeing him. All I ask is to be allowed to live my life in peace to finish raising our kids.”

“Like hell.”

Whimpering, I shrugged, splaying out my fingers. “I’ve already lost one baby,” I croaked, bowing my chin as I strained to control the sob. “I just…that’s all I care about, Jack. Now just let me have my kids. That’s all I want. I don’t want to hurt you or him. I just want the kids.”

A long, steady breath pulled through his nostrils, his hands on his sides. “That’s all?”

“Yes. If you want to keep up the pretense of marriage, fine. I’ll move into a bedroom on the third floor. I will keep my mouth shut, forever, and look away. I will play my part of loving, devoted wife for gatherings, and let you do whatever with whomever.

“Or, if you want a divorce, I can deal with that, as well. That bit of detail is in your court. I don’t care. I just want my kids,” I stressed, shaking my fist with each word.

“And?” he asked, dragging the word out warily.

“And, you allow me to do so, no one ever sees or knows about that card. No one knows about that,” I giggled, tossing my thumb over my shoulder. “No one knows about your little extracurricular activities with drugs.” Creasing my brows, I glared at Alberts. “Your political career remains unscathed, and your wife never finds out.”

Leering, looking at my husband, I growled, “Anything happens to me, however, they go public across the globe.”

His sight shifting between me and my guards, I sighed and motioned for them to lower their guns. Silence filling the office, the tension grew thicker with every tick on the clock.

“Goddammit, agree to it, Jack. What the hell are you hesitating for?”

He groaned, raking both hands through his hair to lock his fingers behind his head. Sneering down his nose, his palms slapped to his sides, his shoulders lifting. “What choice do I have?”

“None, really.”

“Fine. You win.”

Relief flooding me, I choked on a sudden breath, hastily gripping the forearm of one of my guards to hold my balance. “Really?”

Spitting his words, he grumbled, “Welcome home, dear.”

Tears welling, I laughed, flinging myself against the guard’s chest. He patted my back, holding my stance when my knees nearly buckled.

It worked. Chastity’s plan worked. I was going to be able to stay with my kids. How in the hell did I ever repay her for gifting me back my life? Thanks to that wonderful woman, I was not going to die. Not anytime soon, at least.

Chapter 42

Chastity Pampinella

A week since a bombshell was thrown in my face and Milo had not left my side once. We had agreed to not tell anyone until I was further along, so no one knew I was pregnant.

Six weeks pregnant.

I guess now I know why I was late this month.