Page 46 of Ruthless Regret

I’m not one hundred percent certain, but it sounds like my lawyer growls.

“She signed a contract that locked her to me for fourteen months. I doubt she’s going to go to a lawyer, but I can offerto void it. I’m sure we could find grounds for annulling the marriage.”

“I guess we could go through the non-consummation route. That would be easiest.”

I tip my head back against the seat, and close my eyes. “No, we can’t use that one.” There’s a long silence, and I open one eye to check the call hasn’t been disconnected. “Peter?”

“What do you mean, we can’t use non-consummation? I thought the marriage was a business transaction.”

“It was.” I sigh. “Until it wasn’t.”

“What did you do?”

“I would think the answer to that is obvious.” I sound far more flippant than I feel.

“Maybe we can get it annulled due to you having a mental breakdown around the time of the marriage.” There’s a bite to his tone.

“Maybe. Either way, I need to talk to her. If we have to use the contract I made her sign to make that happen, then I will. At the very least, I need to warn her that what happened yesterday might not be a one-off. She could be in danger. I don’t want her getting hurt on my conscience, when I could have stopped it from happening.”

Yes, I know how that sounds. I was more than happy to fuck up her life, to hurt her, to ruin everything she’s built for herself over the years. But that was before I met her. Before I spent time with her. Before I fucked her.

“For the record, I think you’re insane.”

“Noted. But I’m still going to talk to her.”

“I have an alternative suggestion. One that might keep you from ending up back in prison. Why don’tIgo and speak to her? There’s less chance of her slamming the door in my face.”

“I need her to come back. We have to figure out a way to access the memories she’s repressed.”

“And there’s a slightly higher chance of getting her agreement if I’m the one suggesting it.”

He’s not wrong. I know that. But still …

“I’m coming with you.”

“Zain.”

“I’m coming with you. I’ll stay in the car while you go in and talk to her. But if you don’t get anywhere, I’ll be there to give it a shot.”

His sigh is heavy. “Fine. When?”

“Tomorrow. My dad is at Jason’s house getting a new door fitted, then he’s going to mine to be there while they replace the glass in the kitchen door.”

“Where will you be?”

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to drive to New York without you. I’m heading back to my parents’ place. I want to talk to my mom about repressed memories.”

There’s another long silence, and I can practicallyhearhim piecing things together. That’s the lawyer in him, always considering every angle before he speaks … well, when I’m not pushing his buttons, anyway.

“That’s dangerous territory, Zain.” His voice is serious.

“I know. But I want all the information before I present Ashley with it.”

“And what if she says no?”

“Then I’ll have to find another way to convince her.”

“You’re playing with fire.” He sounds resigned to whatever I’m planning. “But you’ve always been a stubborn bastard.”

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