Page 46 of The Next Mrs. Parrish

“Precisely.”

“What is this really about? Who are you?”

“I told you. I’m a businesswoman. Now do we have a deal?”

“How do I know you won’t keep holding those papers over my head. What’s to keep you from continuing to blackmail me?”

“Well, I guess you’re just going to have to take my word for it. I don’t care about what you did to Shane. If he was stupid enough to let it happen, that’s on him. Besides, I have a feeling that things don’t go well for people who screw you over. I don’t want any trouble from you. You do this for me, and those papers will disappear. You’ll talk Briscoe into taking a meeting?”

He shook his head. “I don’t think so. I don’t know you from Adam. So you have some proof that Shane came up with the idea. All I have to say is that he sold it to me. After all, I did pay him.”

“Well, maybe if his wife was dead too, that would work. But she’s alive and willing to take you to court to prove that is not the case. You can either help me, or you can get yourself into a legal battle that will sully your reputation and hurt your bank account. So what do you say?”

He stared at her for a long moment before speaking. “Yes, ma’am,” he answered, his voice laced with sarcasm. “But it’s not gonna be easy.”

Amber shrugged. “I imagine it will be easier than trying to explain why you stole someone else’s idea and made millions. You have two weeks.”

– 28 –

DAPHNE

I call Jackson as soon as I’ve calmed down enough to think straight. He answers on the first ring.

“I assume you got the papers?” There’s a hint of amusement in his voice, and I can picture the gloating smile on his face.

“What game are you playing at, Jackson? You claim to be a changed man, a family man, yet you’re trying to take your children away from their mother?”

He tsks. “Really, Daphne. You’re looking at this entirely the wrong way. I’m trying to give my childrenboththeir parents.”

“How do you imagine that?”

“Clearly you need a little incentive to come back. Amber and I have separated. Once my divorce is final and you and I are married again, the custody suit will be moot. By this time next year, you’ll be Mrs. Jackson Parrish again.”

I feel like vomiting. “Is extortion really how you want to get me back? Where’s your pride?”

But instead of getting angry, he softens his tone. It’s the voice he uses to lull his adversaries into a false sense of security. “Thanks to you, I left my pride in prison. There’s nothing more important to me than my family. I’ve always believed the ends justify the means, and I know you’ll be happy once we’re together again.”

“Is this some kind of trick? You don’t want to be together any more than I do. In fact, that’s the last thing I want. We’re adults. Can’t we work this out without these pointless games?”

“Hmm. I’m afraid not, Daphne. You see, I really do want you back, and I’ll do whatever I must to make that happen.”

I’m quiet, struggling to find the words to say.

“I love you, Daphne. I always have, and I know that deep down, you love me too. But don’t worry, I’ll give you time once you move back. We’ll take it slowly, just like when we first met. I won’t rush you into my bedroom. It won’t be long before we’ll be one big happy family again. And you have to admit, you’ve grown fond of Jax. Won’t it be nice to have a baby again?”

“What are you talking about? Jax has a mother.”

“Amber’s giving me full custody. He needs a mother. You. They all need their mother. I’m willing to suffer your anger for now, because I know you’ll be grateful once you see how happy we can be.”

It shouldn’t surprise me that Amber is leaving another child behind, but I’m shocked, nonetheless. That woman must have ice in her veins. Poor little Jax. And poor Tallulah and Bella, caught in the middle of this. I suddenly need to hear their voices.

“Can I please talk to the girls?” I ask.

Surprisingly, he agrees quickly. “Sure. Hold on.”

A few seconds later, Tallulah’s voice comes over the line. “What?”

I’ve never heard her sound so flat, so devoid of any emotion, and I tighten my grip on the phone. “Lu, I miss you. Are you okay?”

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