Page 138 of The Genius
We walked away at a fast pace, heading for the wraparound deck up by the teachers’ cabins where we could talk out of sight.
“What the hell was that about?” I asked in an incredulous tone, my hands shaking from shock that she’d do something that crazy.
Shelly swung her hands out. “I thought you’d be happy.”
“Happy? Have you lost your mind?”
“No. Don’t worry, it’s a given that I’d pick you for my champion. I thought you’d be excited that I’m willing to marry you. And with the tournament you could get that million dollars you always dreamed of.” She had that expression that told me she was convinced she was right, but this time we weren’t discussing math or science. I was the expert on Northland traditions and I wasn’t backing down.
“You don’t understand, Shelly. Nmen have to raise a lot of money to participate in a tournament, not to mention train to be the best warriors. It’s no fucking joke. There are so many holes in your plan.”
She shrank into herself and looked down.
“Don’t you get that you couldn’t possibly be a candidate for a tournament when you’re already pregnant and have a mate?”
She blinked her eyes but didn’t speak.
“The moment you chose to sleep with me, I became yours and you became mine. Do you understand?”
“I didn’t mean to make you angry. It’s just that I know how much you long for that million dollars.”
She wasn’t listening to me, so I raised my voice and squeezed her arms to get through to her. “I don’t give a shit about money at this point. I’m already richer than most men because I have the woman that I love.”
“But then why are you always complaining about your lack of money?”
I stepped closer, my hands sliding down to lock around her waist. “If it was just me I could live in a cabin and be happy. The money is only important because I want a family and I want to provide well for that family.”
“You should know me well enough to understand that money never interested me in the first place.”
“That’s because you’ve never lacked anything.”
“That’s the Motlander way. We may not live in mansions but we have enough.”
I rested my forehead against hers, my heart finally calming down. “Babe, you can’t do impulsive shit like that. When you raised your hand, I aged five years in ten seconds. We’re a team now, a family. Why don’t you get that?”
Shelly lifted her hand to cup my cheek. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done it.”
“Here, feel how my heart is racing.” I placed her hand on my chest.
“Sorry,” she repeated and bit her lip. “Maybe now isn’t the best time, but I got a call from Charlie and I wanted to talk to you about it.”
“Charlie, the owner of Advanced Technologies?” I didn’t like the serious expression on her face.
“He’s been trying to get me to work on a project down south. It sounds intriguing and I really think I could make a difference.”
The hair on the back on my neck stood up. “You’re moving back to the Motherlands?”
“It’s a sustainable farming project. Marco, it has enormous potential and will do so much good for the planet.” She spoke fast. “Life is relaxed down there, with beaches where the water is warm all year round.”
I let go of her, my throat tightening and my chest in physical pain. “Talk about mixed signals. Five minutes ago you were willing to let me fight for you in a tournament so we could marry and now you’re planning to leave me.”
Shelly lowered her brows. “Not leave you. When did I say that I wanted to leave you? I’m asking you if you want to come and live on a beach with me in the Motherlands.”
“You want me to come with you?”
She planted both hands on her belly and tilted her head. “How else will we be a family?”
In a deep exhalation I released the anger and anxiety that had been building inside me, and crouched down.
