Page 42 of His Prize

Whatever the purpose for all of this, I knew one thing for certain. One thing that would stick with me no matter who Israel chose. If he went with Alice, I’d be alone for the rest of my life. For there would be no other man I’d love the way I loved Israel. I just didn’t know if he felt the same way about me. Or, if he ever could.

And that was the real kicker that kept my mind wandering for the rest of my workday.

17

Israel

I staredat the email from my lawyer in complete disbelief. I read it over and over again, making sure I hadn’t missed anything or misinterpreted any words. And when I stood from my desk at my warehouse office, I started printing off the documentation my lawyer had sent me.

The divorce papers, to be exact.

Still legally bound.

Those three words completely toppled my entire morning. According to my lawyer, even though my marriage was null and void to Bonnie, I was still legally bound on paper to Brianna. I couldn't believe it. I wanted to throw my damn computer through a fucking window. I was so angry. I snatched the divorce papers from my printer and signed wherever I needed to. I initialed, dated, and then highlighted all of the areas where Brianna would have to sign.

Then, I drove my ass over to the Moretti estate.

I didn’t want to disturb Bonnie while she was working, so I kept my knock soft. A very old, hunched-over butler who looked like he needed a retirement package instead of more working hours opened the door. Still, he ushered me into the house, and I kept my footsteps silent as I made my way into the kitchen. And when I found Mrs. Moretti eating a sandwich, she glared up at me.

“The hell do you want?” she asked.

“An audience with Brianna. Where is she?”

“What for? Isn’t it bad enough you already turned one daughter against me?”

I slapped the divorce papers on the table. “Get her. Now. And don’t you dare alert Bonnie to what’s going on, or I’ll kill you where you sit.”

With a glare, Mrs. Moretti got up from her seat. She disappeared behind me and started down the hallway, and a few minutes later, Brianna appeared. For a split second, I had to double-take. Dammit, she looked so much like Bonnie. Or, Bonnie had looked so much like her. Either way, in some weird fashion, I wanted to compliment the person who had turned Bonnie into Brianna because their likeness was uncanny.

“What?” Brianna asked flatly.

I pointed to the papers. “Sign them.”

She snickered. “Like I’m going to do what you ask me to do.”

“Sign them, or I drag your ass into court and plaster it all over the papers.”

She peeked over toward the table. “Divorce papers?”

I nodded. “And you’ll never be free of me, or my wrath, or my presence until you sign them.”

I watched as she walked over to the table. She sat down and picked up the pen I had brought with me, poised and ready to sign. I pressed my hands against the hardwood table and watched. I tried to draw steady breaths to calm the anger that charged throughout my body.

But, when Brianna set down that pen, I knew I had an issue.

“No,” she said plainly.

I blinked. “No, what?”

She smiled up at me. “No, I won’t sign.”

I shoved the paper toward her. “It’s either this or a media-frenzied court appearance.”

She stood. “Okay.”

I slowly raised myself upright. “Come again?”

She grinned. “Okay. Take me to court. Do whatever you have to do. But, I’m not signing those papers.”

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