“Probably because he knew that brat wasn’t mine.”
Before he can take his next breath, I’m on him with my hand wrapped around his throat. “Give me one good reason not to end it for them.”
“That’s why his yacht went down in the Caribbean,” Jillian says, and I glance over to see her standing in the doorway with Dasher. “You faked your own death.”
I squeeze his neck harder, and his face turns from red to purple.
“That’s why people don’t like me asking questions.” Dasher enters the room and takes a casual seat across from us as I keep on choking Paul. “If he dies in here, I really don’t want him to piss on my rug. Maybe we could take him out back?”
Nobody tells me to stop, but I understand what Dasher is saying. This isn’t the place. I release my hand and toss him back in his seat, where he slumps against it and gasps for air.
“He owed debts to the mob, bigger than any of our bank accounts combined.” I glance at Jillian and Dasher, and their eyes widen. “He got information on the head of the family and flipped for the feds in exchange for immunity.” I pause as I turn my glare on him. “And to lock me away.”
“Oh god.” Jillian puts a hand to her mouth as her eyes move between us.
“But there’s no hole deep enough for you to hide in, Paul, and even if I give you that trust, you won’t get far.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.” His voice is scratchy as he straightens his suit. “You’ll give it to me, and I’ll disappear into the night.” There’s an edge of a threat as he narrows his eyes. “Otherwise I let slip that the only thing in life that matters to me is that little girl. How fast do you think they’d steal her away if they needed just an ounce of leverage?”
“You wouldn’t,” Jillian warns, and I hold out my hand.
“How much is the trust?” Dasher asks, and I tell him. His eyes widen, and then he nods.
“No amount of money will pay for the betrayal,” I say to the room. “The moment they find you, you’re dead.”
“Then I’ll make sure they don’t find me.” Paul stands like he’s ready to leave. “You can have the wire transfer sent tonight, and I’ll be gone forever.”
I stare at him for a moment as I think of all that I learned about him and his dealings. “I would have given it to you years ago if you would have asked.” No, asking was below Paul. He’d rather take.
“She wouldn’t let me have it,” he hisses, and I think about his bitch of a mother and how controlling she was. “I finally had enough and slipped her too much of her medication.” Jillian gasps again, but Paul ignores her. “Once she was out of the way, everything went to me. Except control of the trust. There was no way to break it, so I had to wait.”
I shake my head at his admission. He ran out of money waiting. “Was it worth it?” My voice is weary as I look him over. “All of it, was it worth it?”
“Yes,” he hisses through clenched teeth, but he can’t even convince himself to believe the lie.
“That’s all I need to know,” I say, stepping aside, and the doors to the office open.
Three men in black suits step inside, and Paul begins to back away with his hands up in front of him.
“No, no, no, no.” His voice is barely above a whisper as the black suits move forward and closer to him.
“What’s happening?” Jillian pleads, and I pull her into my arms.
I nod to Dasher as he follows us out of the office, and we leave the men to take care of Paul. “I made some calls as soon as I got out. I knew he would come for the trust, it was the only card he had left to play. I wasn’t sure if I was going to call the feds or the mob, but they’re really two sides to the same coin. I went with the choice that made us safer.”
We stand in the hallway for a moment as the three men exit with an unconscious Paul thrown over one of their shoulders.
“You made the right decision,” Dasher says solemnly as they close the doors and take Paul with them.
Chapter 11
Jillian
We all sit around the island in the kitchen sipping on the hot chocolate Eve made for us. “When I said you should start dating, I had no idea it would be this exciting,” Eve says teasingly, trying to lighten the mood in the room.
Everyone has cleared out, but I’m still somewhat in shock at everything that transpired. I knew Paul was a terrible man, but this was downright disgusting. I don’t care if he never sees the light of day again.
“Right? When something involves my love life, I’m noticing it’s a little extreme.” I let out a small laugh while my brother and Isaac keep the stoic look on their faces.
“Maybe we should leave them alone to talk.” Eve pulls on Dasher’s arm. “We should check on the kids.”
Dasher nods. “Be good to my sister and Rae. They’ve been through a lot.”
“He has too.” I rush to Isaac’s defense. He was sitting in a prison cell because of Paul.
“I know,” Isaac says to my brother. “I can promise you that I’m nothing like my brother.”
“Trust me, I know, or you wouldn't be sitting here.” I tense up, not wanting them to fight.
“Thank you for watching out for them,” Isaac says to Dasher, who still hasn't taken his guard all the way down. “I’ll be forever grateful for that.”
Again, my eyes start to burn with tears. Isaac is such a great man, and finally Dasher softens, seeing that too.
“That’s what family does. At least with this family.” Isaac nods in agreement. “Welcome to it.” My brother motions for Isaac to stand, and when he does, my brother hugs him. This time I can't fight the tears.
My brother hugs me next and demands I stop crying. It makes me laugh, then he and Eve head off, leaving Isaac and me alone.
He cups my face and wipes at my tears with his thumbs. “We should only have happy tears from now on.” He kisses my wet cheeks.
“I think they are. I’m on emotional overload.” He wraps me in his arms, and I cry more because I’m unable to help myself. He lifts me from my feet and starts to carry me toward my bedroom.
“Could be pregnancy hormones.”
I laugh as I hold him tighter. I want that, and for Isaac to be here for every step. From how he’s touching me, I don’t think he’s mad at me for keeping Rae from him.
“Mommy?” Isaac stops walking, and I lift my head to see Rae standing in the hallway. “Why are you crying?”
Isaac puts me on my feet, and I grab his hand. When I look at him, he nods that he’s okay with whatever it is I want to do when it comes to Rae. I love this man so damn much.
I walk over to her and drop to my knees. “There is something I need to tell you, sweetheart.”
“Is it about Santa?”
“Santa?” Crap. Does she already know he’s not real? That sucks. I was hoping to have a few more years.
“I’m not sure he’s real. He didn't get me what I asked for. Is that why you’re upset? Did you find out he’s not real too?” I have a feeling I know what she asked for.