Page 43 of Almost Paradise

“He’s three years from retirement. You wouldn’t—”

“I would. What did you call me? An entitled, elitist asshole. That hurts, Nia, because in all those months we were together, I only showed you the best parts of me, but maybe you could sense those things just below the surface. Maybe you’re right. Maybe I only let those parts remain dormant because why else would you think that you can tellmewhen and where I was going to see my son? I’m done being led and controlled by you.”

“What do you want?” I can’t stop the tears. I swipe them away so I can look at him directly in his beady little eyes.

“I want my son,” he says. “I’ve been clear about that.”

“You’ll only hurt him if you take him away from me. I never tried to keep him from you. I told you about him. I wanted you in his life from the beginning. I—”

He holds his hand up, silencing me. I knock it away and stand straighter.

“Desperation doesn’t look good on you,” he mocks.

“Get out. Get the hell out of here.” I shove at his chest over and over again. He doesn’t move. “I said get out!” I scream.

“If I walk out of here, that video gets released. I’ll have you in front of a judge so fast your head will spin. I’ll make sure criminal charges are filed against your father. And that’s not all. I’ll file a civil lawsuit against him and go after—”

“Stop!” I yell. I can feel the tears pooling, but I refuse to break down in front of him. He won’t get to see my weakness today. “Stop and tell me what you want. Just know that I’ll see you dead before I let you take my son.”

“Walk out of this house with me and marry me. Today. I’m not going to ask twice.”

He didn’t ask the first time. I blink and look into his eyes, certain that I misheard.

“What?”

“I said I’m not going to ask twice.” He lifts his tie and admires it. “I told you today was a special day. That’s why I’m wearing my favorite tie.” He looks at his watch and says, “You have five minutes to put on your shoes and get your coat.”

“You can’t be serious.” I look into his face and wait for him to laugh and tell me this is some kind of sick joke, but all he does is give me a smug stare. “I’d rather marry someone who’s on death row for killing his entire family. That’s how much I hate you,” I tell him, pointing at his chest.

“Oh, come on. You can’t find me that unappealing. A few minutes ago, you were close to letting me fuck you against the wall. I also remember a time when you’d spread your ass and—”

“Shut the hell up and get out of my house and take your proposal with you. Does your fiancée know you’re here proposing marriage to me, you creep?”

“I told you, I’m not asking twice. I will sleep fine at night knowing that I’ve ruined your father. I’ll sleep fine with Carter in the bedroom next to mine and you miles and miles away. Of course, I’m not completely heartless, so you’ll get visitation. At a time and place of my choosing. I’m a very busy man, so I don’t see that happening too often though.” He looks at his watch. “Time’s ticking.”

“I have to work.” Even to me, my excuse sounds stupid. The man is threatening to ruin my father and take my child.

“You won’t have to worry about that. The Paradise Foundation pledged one hundred million dollars to the hospital recently. I make one phone call, and you’re out.”

“When did you do that?” I ask.

“The day after your father assaulted me. Four minutes,” he says.

“Why do you want to marry me? You hate me as much as I hate you.” I see something flash in his eyes, but it’s gone before I can read into it further. He looks away from me, and I watch as he takes a deep breath. When he looks at me again, his blue eyes have turned frosty.

“I want my son. This has nothing to do with you.”

“You want to marry me, and you think it has nothing to do with me? Are you insane?”

“When did you hear me say that I want to marry you?” He gestures at me. “What I want is my son. You’re a means to an end.”

Those are similar words he texted to me all those years ago.

“Wow,” I whisper. “You really are your father’s son. He must have been so proud.”

I shove at his chest and try to slap him again, but he grabs my wrist, spins me around, and presses me into his body. He’s still aroused. I can feel him on my behind.

“Haven’t you done enough to me, Paradise? Haven’t you taken enough from me? And you have a fiancée,” I remind him again, hoping that will bring him back to reality.

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