Page 78 of Tame Me

I slowly uncurl my fist—holding back from grabbing her again has my hand cramping. I have no idea how I’m going to get through this.

CHAPTER NINE

Talia

ISLEPTBADLYand it wasn’t because Lukas had woken more than once. Dain had been thoughtful—grumpy, but thoughtful—in the middle of the night. I wasn’t able to get back to sleep at all because the reality of my position is very clear. It’s taken less than twenty-four hours back in his presence and I’m willing to do almost anything he wants. I don’t deserve his attention but I want it. And last night—for a moment—I had it. But he stepped back right at the moment I would’ve surrendered. He doesn’t want me any more. Or maybe he doesn’twantto want me. And he doesn’t trust me.

But I’m going to go with Dain to Australia. I’m going to agree to almost anything he wants to ensure Lukas has the best from us both. Because Lukas comes first. But it’s not only Lukas depending on me, I have Ava too and I have to do my best for her as well. If I leave she’ll be alone. Which means taking a risk. Enraging Dain seems less terrifying now I’ve seen him with Lukas.

He’sinterestedin his son and he wants the best for him. Yep, he might’ve had some tough times in his own childhood that he doesn’t want to open up about, but he wants to protect Lukas from anything similar. Fine by me. It’s awful to admit, but I’m actually a little jealous of the way he looks at Lukas, how carefully he held him. I need to get over that. And knowing I don’t have his trust, I figure I might as well do the worst and hopefully ensure Ava is okay as well.

I find him sitting at the kitchen table. There’s a coffee beside him and the remnants of an omelette on a plate. My heart thunders and I feel cold, but I do the thing I promised myself I never would.

‘You said you’re a billionaire.’ My voice cracks. I clear my throat and make myself continue. ‘Is it all tied up in assets or do you have access to cash?’

Surprise lights his eyes. ‘I can access cash. Why?’ He cocks his head and surveys me steadily. ‘How much do you need?’

I don’t hesitate. ‘Quarter of a million.’

‘Uh...’ He does hesitate. Briefly. ‘No more, no less?’

‘Quarter of a million. Cash. Upfront.’

‘Or...?’

I swallow. ‘Or I’m not going with you. Nor is Lukas.’

It’s a bluff but one I have to make.

To my astonishment he doesn’t instantly get angry. He blinks but the smallest quirk tilts his lips. Surely he’s notamused?

‘How will you stop me from taking him?’ he asks blandly. ‘And you, for that matter. You know I could bundle you both onto my jet and—’

‘You’re not a bully. You’re not a criminal. And you don’t have passports for either of us yet,’ I say.

‘The passports are less than twenty-four hours away and if you think I’m such a straight-up good guy why didn’t you try harder to let me know you’d had my son?’

I don’t want to admit my shame. I take a breath. ‘This is my price. I won’t ask for anything more. Not for me. Ever. But I need all of it. Upfront. Before leaving.’

‘You want it in unmarked dollar bills? Untraceable bags?’ His smile deepens.

I purse my lips. I need to remain serious so he finally gets that this isn’t a joke. ‘Bank transfer will be fine.’

‘Sure.’ He keeps his gaze drilled on me as he pulls his phone from his pocket. ‘I need your account details.’

He says it so matter-of-factly I just stare for a moment.

‘You’re doing itnow?’

‘You want the money, don’t you?’

I fumble for my phone and pull up my banking app and read the numbers to him.

He taps his screen for a few moments then glances up at me. ‘The money’s gone through.’

I just gape at him. ‘What?’

‘Refresh your app,’ he says. ‘It should be there.’

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