Page 25 of Kingpin's Baby
“Mrs Booth,” I correct him.
Battersea smiles unpleasantly. “A sort of theft, marriage. I would have preferred not to involve you, Fulham. But be assured, this changes nothing.”
“My wife won’t be paying you anything, and I invite you to leave.”
I should get a treat for being so calm and reasonable when I want to rip Battersea’s throat out. Honestly, I might take that reward in the form of fucking Ren on this sofa as soon as possible.
“You still have two choices. Payment or deportation. What makes you think that a sham marriage will protect you?” Battersea scoffs, looking at Ren. “You could be prosecuted for falsely attempting to procure citizenship. This won’t work.”
He really is underestimating me. Fascinating. Perhaps I should throw my weight around in London a bit more. I’ve been too measured, clearly.
“I suppose he hasn’t got even a million to spare, and has married you instead.”
I feel Ren’s head turn and look down. Our gazes meet and her expression is quizzical. Because she knows a million would be cheap compared to what yesterday cost.
She hasn’t yet understood that marrying her could have cost ten billion, and I’d have found the money because to me, she’s priceless.
“I bet he doesn’t know anything about you,” Battersea continues condescendingly. “Your favourite food, for instance.”
“Donuts.” We both speak simultaneously.
“Well done.” He sneers. “You’ve been practising. That’s not evidence in court.”
“Our baby will be,” Ren replies.
Battersea looks disconcerted for a second. Ren bites her lip, but the corners of her mouth turn up as she smooths her palm over her perfectly flat belly.
“That baby will have dark hair and green eyes.” I know it. I’m certain. And if they don’t? Never mind, I’ll keep breeding my girl until we have a baby who is my mirror image.
“That will be irrelevant to the detention centre staff.” Battersea shrugs. “Unless you pay up.”
And that’s when my patience snaps. I’m across the room and have the arsehole held by the throat in a second. His feet are off the ground.
“Nobody threatensmy wife.” I’m so furious, my voice is hardly recognizable.
“You bastard.” Battersea struggles impotently, going red in the face. “Let me go! Westminster will kill you for this!”
“I went to school with Westminster,” I reply. “Heloveshis wife. I have no idea why you imagine his sense of fair play would preclude me from protecting mine.”
Battersea stills, and I think finally recognises that he’s in a terrible situation of his own making. “Just a hundred thousand then.”
I snort with laughter. Amazingly, he still thinks he has power in this situation.
“We haven’t played death or donuts yet today, Mrs Booth.” I’d like nothing more than to unleash my men on this piece of shit and let all their most savage instincts run riot.But apparently I haven’t been providing enough evidence of my own ruthlessness, so I don’t call anyone in.
“I suppose we haven’t,” she replies, a tremor in her voice.
“What’s your verdict on a man who attempted to extort money from a vulnerable young woman? And abuse his position of authority.”
“Did he have to?” she asks. So fair, my wife. So thorough. I love that about her.
“No.” I grimace. “He’s rich enough.”
“That doesn’t sound like he needs donuts.”
“Your decision, princess?” I’m running out of composure. Battersea thrashes at a weird angle, scrabbling at my hand, trying to get me to release him. “Donuts, or…”
I turn to Ren. Her expression darkens and her chin juts out a little. I’m smiling before she’s even said the word.
