Page 93 of High Stakes

“You should reason with her,” I say thoughtfully.

“No.”

“It’s not a polite request, JP. I’m your boss and I’m telling you to make her sign the fucking papers.”

“You want me to go heavy on Bella?” I nod. “You’ve lost your mind. Why not just take it all, Aiden? She’s offering for you to buy her out and you can own it all.” The fact he knows this, pisses me off and he realises his words too late. “Fine,” he snaps. “I’ll go and see her.”

I pull my copy from the jar and slide them across the desk. “Make it clear. Half.”

Bella

I’m putting the finishing touches to an amazing five tier wedding cake. If I ever got married, then this is the cake I’d have. Decorated with hundreds of handcrafted, tiny daisies, cascading like a waterfall down one side of the cake. Trying to imagine my wedding when I feel so broken, is hard. But it’s not the first heartbreak I’ve felt. So, each day, I’ve pushed myself to get out of bed and paste on a smile. I’ve cheered brides on and made their dreams reality. All whilst silently suffering.

JP enters and I smile. He’s been checking up on me regular, although I’m certain he gets updates from Aria. “Wow, Bella, that’s amazing,” he says, eyeing the cake.

I take a step back to admire my work. “I know, right, I love it.”

“How are you?”

I shrug, “Pushing on. How’s Aiden?”

He looks away, just like he always does when I ask. And I ask every time, because I can’t believe he’s getting on with his life like we never happened. “You know Aiden,” he mutters. “Actually, he’s the reason I’m here.”

“Oh?”

“He’s unhappy about your request for him to buy you out.”

“I know, Drake called me.”

“So, have you thought anymore about it?” he asks hopefully.

“I will not work with him, JP.”

“Technically, he’ll be a silent partner.”

I scoff, “When has Aiden ever been silent about anything? We both know that won’t happen.”

“So, make him sign something. Yah know, if you got a solicitor like I suggested, this wouldn’t be an issue.”

“I don’t have money to throw at a solicitor, and even if I found someone in my price range, Aiden would make sure his solicitor tore them to pieces. I don’t want to fight about this. I’m just asking he be reasonable.”

“I don’t think you have much chance of that right now.”

I groan. “I’ll talk to him myself.”

His eyes widen. “That’s not a good idea.”

“He’s not bullying me anymore. And does he think we can go into business and never speak? He’s acting ridiculous.”I pause, “Hold on, did he send you to put the frighteners on me?” After all, JP is the henchman. He glances down and I give a cold, empty laugh. “Leave the papers with me, I’ll take them to him myself.”

“Bella,” he mutters, shaking his head.

“Leave now or I’ll call for Aria.”

He narrows his eyes, “Unfair,” he whisper hisses before leaving.

It’s almost seven in the evening by the time I lock up and head for Tremos. It seems strange coming here when I know I’m not welcome, but luckily, the door is propped open for a delivery, and I scuttle pass the delivery guy and head inside.

Aiden is talking with a small group of men, but the second he sees me, he excuses himself and heads my way. He grabs the top of my arm, marching me towards the office, where he shoves me inside before slamming the door. “What the hell are you doing here?”

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