Page 133 of Submission

“Calm down, Megan.” He notices.

“You want to tell me how to feel as well?”

“Megan, this is not a big deal. We were never going to raise a family in this building anyway.”

“Uh, we weren’t?”

“Don’t you want a backyard for our kid, maybe a view of the water or a house nestled in the Hollywood Hills?”

“I am perfectly happy with what we have now and this is the first I’m hearing that you aren’t.”

“My happiness is not the issue. Your safety is.”

“Is that how you’re going to try to win every argument we have? By throwing the word safety in the mix and hoping that shuts down anything further from me?”

“This is not me trying to win arguments.”

“Please,” I suck my teeth. “All you ever do is try to win arguments with everyone in your life including me.”

Hunter takes another swallow of his drink and clanks the glass on the kitchen island.

“We’re moving and that’s final. I’ve already settled on the house and Parker and Lars are at your disposal for the week. They’ll help us with whatever we need including managing the team the moving company sends over.”

“I need a drink,” I huff, completely exasperated with the direction this conversation is going–which is nowhere. He really doesn’t get it.

“You’re pregnant.”

“I know that! I didn’t say I was going to have a drink, I just said that I want one.”

“When do you want to go by the place so you can see it?”

“Funny, you asked me if I wanted a house in the hills or by the beach but it appears as if you’ve already made the decision and bought it. So what the hell do you need me for?”

His eyes lower for a split second as if he’s finally ashamed of what he’s done.

“You’re right but I wanted to move quickly on this particular property. It’s in the Pacific Palisades area and a gorgeous piece of real estate. We have ocean views and a gorgeous neighborhood. It’s far enough away from the club and perfect for children.”

“Sounds utterly boring.”

“You haven’t even seen it.”

“I need to be closer to downtown, closer to the art galleries, or did you forget that I’m trying to build a career?”

“We’re only thirty minutes away from downtown LA. Lars can probably have you anywhere you want to go in twenty. He’ll be your personal driver and security from now on.”

“Oh, is that right? Another decision was madeforme without consulting me. Wonderful,” I say acerbically.

“Megan–”

Hunter moves toward me as if he’s coming in for an embrace.

“I need a minute,” I cut him off by throwing my hand up in front of his chest. “Your assumption that I’m going to just fall in line with anything you say is frustrating, Hunter. You’ve always been the one with all of the power in this relationship, but it feels like you’re throwing it around like a big bag of dicks.”

I grab my brown leather purse that’s sitting on a nearby chair and walk into the elevator.

“Megan,” he calls for me, sounding somewhat nervous.

“I’ll be back,” I promise. “I just need some air.”