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“Alone?”
“Huxley has invited me to spend the holidays with his family.” I glanced at Huxley who didn’t seem as enamored with Angelica as she was with him. “I’ve accepted.”
“Great.” Travis tapped his fingers on the bar. “So he can brainwash you a little more.”
“That’s not what he’s doing.” I shook my head. “Why can’t you give me some credit? I’m not as innocent as you think I am.”
“I disagree,” he said. “I’ve given you far too much credit.”
“Are we finished?” I asked. “I’d like to get back to my date.”
“You mean your billionaire.”
“I’m done with this conversation.”
“No.” He grabbed my wrist. “We need to discuss that other little matter between us.” He let go of me and reached into his inside jacket pocket and took out a set of papers. “I brought a copy for you to sign.”
“Why are you in such a rush?” I asked. “I told you I’m not ready to sell my house.”
“You may say you don’t want to sell, but Huxley isn’t going to take no for an answer. He needs that property.”
The lake access. Travis knows Huxley needs it.
“He has all the others.” I took the papers from him. “Why does he need this one?”
“We’ve been over this. He’s interested in you because you have what he needs. Why can’t you see that?”
“You don’t know anything about him.”
“And you do?” He laughed. “I want this taken care of tonight. I want to set this in motion before I leave for Hawaii.”
“I’m not going to let you bully me.”
“Is everything okay?” Huxley joined us at the bar and stood next to me. “This conversation looks contentious.”
“This conversation is none of your business,” Travis said. “It’s between me and Ivy. A family matter.”
“Did you sign the papers?” Angelica asked me. “It’s a solid deal.”
“What papers?” Huxley asked.
“Oh, your girlfriend didn’t tell you?” Angelica glared at me. “What a shock.”
“Tell me what?” Huxley looked at me. “What does Travis want from you?”
“Kent and I are buying our family home back,” Travis said. “This doesn’t concern you.” He motioned toward the papers. “I’m sure you and I can work something out once I take possession of the property.”
“Work what out?” I asked.
“The lake access,” Huxley said.
How had he figured that out much faster than I had?
“You know I need it, and you’re going to hold it hostage.” Huxley’s jaw tightened as he stared at Travis.
“You didn’t really think two million dollars was going to cover that, did you? You may be able to manipulate an uneducated girl with designer dresses, expensive dinners, and diamonds, but I know better.”
“What are you talking about?” How had I gotten myself into this situation? I never meant to blindside Huxley with any of this. All I wanted was a chance to figure my life out without any pressure. “You want to buy the house from me and then extort money from Huxley? I didn’t agree to that.”
