Page 3 of Toxic Things I Love About You

She looked between Parks and me.

“Probably? Roman?”

I shrugged.

“I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to keep someone on your side. Although the Sterlings don’t appear to be on the right side of you. How about it, Reginald? Does she need you?”

I bent down to meet the kid, and Parks pulled the gun away.

“You bastard. Wait until my father hears about this.”

I rubbed my chin for a second.

“How exactly do you think I heard about his little subterfuge?”

Emilee got closer and crouched down next to me. The damn dress pooled around her like a fucking parachute.

“Romy-poo, it isn’t subterfuge when you’re the one buying up my company and he’s the one trying to help me.”

That shut me the hell up.

Parks fucking snorted.

“She isn’t wrong, Demarco. Good luck talking your way out of this.”

Talking my way out? When exactly had Emilee been good at talking? My hands fucking itched to touch her. I was damn near drooling at the memory of the way she tasted.

“I don’t have to fucking talk my way out. Emilee Rossi, I bought your damn company for your own good. Those assholes would be fighting to control you.”

She was still looking at Sterling.

“Gee, Reggie. Does this sound legit to you? He storms in here and proposes marriage, in a very lackluster way, I might add. Even so, he proposed and admits to buying up my investors. Exactly who is controlling?”

Reginald attempted a smile until my narrowed gaze met his.

“Uh. Sounds like good business,” he said, but the lilt in that last word had me clenching my fucking fists. One wrong move, and I wouldn’t regret breaking his nose.

“You would listen to this spineless prick after he hit you?” I asked.

Emilee sighed before turning toward me.

“Gee, let’s compare notes. He slaps me because I’m mouthy. Which, to be fair, he isn’t wrong about. You buy up the majority of the investors in my company like Parks and I didn’t notice something strange happening, and then walk in and demand I marry you with a fucking bribe?”

Bribe?

“What the hell are you talking about? I didn’t bribe you. Perhaps at one point I’d intended to use the power I had to force your hand. But let’s face it, you aren’t your father. You aren’t even good at making negotiations for your own good.”

Her lips turned up into a smile and if it wasn’t so fucking sexy, it would be downright scary how twisted that made her look.

“Glad you noticed I have tits, Romy-poo. As if that makes me not my father. And that’s not what I’m talking about. You offered to kill him when I said no the first time.”

She tilted her head toward him, and Reggie whimpered. Parks was still standing there, but all weapons were put away. Fucking hell.

“Parks, does she need him then? Her father wouldn’t sell to this guy and his father owes me enough from all the gambling, I’m not concerned. Killing his son could be counterproductive.”

Emilee huffed and stood.

“Well, looks like I don’t have to marry you then. Parks I’m tired, let’s go.”

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