Page 41 of The Predator
Bel leans against the desk. "Not that you asked me, and not that I think you care what I have to say, but you should really call and apologize to the guy. Drew said you beat him up pretty badly.”
I punch the keyboard, analyzing the screen, "No. I don't apologize. Nor would I apologize in this case, because I did nothing wrong.”
She crosses her arms over her chest and gives me a glare. "Liar. You’re so stubborn, too stubborn for your own good.”
“Thanks, like I didn’t already know that. If you stayed to guilt trip me then you can leave now.”
She frowns, “We didn’t stay for that, and I’m sorry we took over the kitchen. The guys wanted to be here in case you still needed their help with Ely.” She fidgets with her hands like she’s nervous or something. “How is she?”
I don't look at her, and I try to keep my face neutral. "She's fine. Asleep in our bed right now."
"Still tied up?"
I flinch and swallow hard, not wanting to tell her the truth. "No, she’s not tied up. We’re fine.” I shake my head, “But, even if she was still tied up, what would you do? It’s no one else's business what Elyse and I do or don’t do, and Drew shouldn’t be sharing any of it with you.”
"First, Drew tells me everything, and for the record, I want you to know that if she tells me she wants to leave, regardless of the fact you’re my brother and she is your wife, I will do everything I can to help her. She deserves to have a say in her own life.”
The threat hangs in the air between us. I lock eyes with her and for the first time I see the same hardness my own green eyes can have sometimes. "I think I’ll ignore what you just said and instead remind you that she is my wife, my responsibility, and under my protection. Touch her, and we will have a problem.”
With a smirk, she leans down and closes my laptop. "You're not the only one with a stubborn streak. Try me, brother. Try me, and see what happens.”
Anger ripples through me, and I squeeze my hands into tight fists. I’m about to explode on her when my phone rings. Anger gives way to annoyance, and I pluck the thing out of my pocket. Unknown number is all the screen says. Knowing there aren’t many people who have this number, it has to be someone I know or someone with connections. A rush of adrenaline trickles into my veins as I hit the answer key and bring the phone to my ear.
"Who is this?"
"Let's call me...a family friend."
I grit my teeth against the sound ofhisvoice. Piece of shit. I glare at Bel and wave her off.
She looks concerned, and even though I want to explain things to her, I can’t right this second. “Please go,” I mouth to her.
“Fine.” She rolls her eyes, slides off the desk, and slips out of the study. She shoos everyone out of the kitchen, giving me privacy, which I’m thankful for.
Once alone, I turn in the chair and face away from the door, the phone clenched so tight in my fist I’m afraid I might crush it.
"I wouldn't call you a friend, let alone family.”
"Well, you are fucking my daughter, so what do you suppose I call you? Son?”
I bend over and brace my elbows on my slacks, trying to pull enough strength together so I can calmly talk to this dickhead. “Don’t you fucking dare.”
"Technicalities aside, I’m calling to set up a meeting with you.”
“A meeting to discuss what?” I play dumb, hoping he’ll give me more information and my assumption regarding the reason for his call isn’t accurate.
“Don’t play stupid. We both know the agreement I made to sell Elyse in order to cover my debts to your family was with your grandfather. Being that he’s no longer alive, that deal is null and void. If you want to keep Elyse, a new deal must be negotiated.”
I’m fucking shocked this fucker has the audacity to call me and request something like this, but then again, Elyse means nothing to him. The law means nothing to him.
"I think you’ve lost your fucking mind, among other things. I’m not negotiating shit with you. There is no negotiation to be had. Elyse is a human being and in this world, we don’t buy and sell people via contract. We both know that contract with my grandfather would be a great piece of evidence should someone find out you decided to sell your daughter. It does have your signature on it.”
Putting the phone on speaker, I toss it onto the desk.
A soft, humorless laugh fills the space. "Sebastian. It would be in your best interest to make a deal with me. I know I don’t need to explain this life to you, but I have the means to make your entire life hell, as well as hers. Don’t make me do that. She’s suffered enough, don’t you think? We both know inyourworld of criminals my contract would be declared null at your grandfather’s death. You need to renegotiate since I neverconsented to anything such as marriage to my only beloved daughter.”
"I’m not scared of you.” I say, letting all the hate I feel for him filter into my voice. “And I won’t let you hurt her or even bring her into this. She’s mine. And that is fucking rich thinking you aren’t in this world as much as I am, or more.”
“She isn’t yours, and you can’t protect her any more than you can protect yourself. Don’t make this difficult.”