Page 39 of Big Red

Shaking his hand, I say, “Alright. I just want to get this over with.”

“And it will be. You aren’t asking for anything. No spousal support, alimony, nada. You haven’t given him any reason to drag this along. All we’re going to do is go in here and sign on the dotted line.”

That sounds too easy. But since the club highly recommended Michael, I’ve decided to trust him.

Michael leads us through the hall before approaching a door. When he grabs the nob, he turns to Red with a nod. He releasesmy hand and places a kiss on my forehead. “You got this, kitten. I’ll be right here.”

I wrap my arms around his waist, holding him tight, as does he. I just needed to feel his safety net one more time before entering this room. Red holds me until I relax. I give him one final smile before turning around and following Michael into the room.

Declan is already seated next to his lawyer, a scowl already in place. When his gaze connects with mine, he grits his teeth, balling up his fists on the table. His lawyer places a hand on his arm, leans over, and whispers something in his ear.

Before we take our seats, Micheal reaches a hand out to Declan’s lawyer and introduces himself. He looks down at Michael's hand as if it's covered in shit. Michael doesn’t let it bother him as he chuckles before pulling my chair out for me.

Once we’re seated, he opens his briefcase and slides over a stack of paper. “Mr. Rosenberg, I sent you this agreement over a week ago. As you know, my client isn’t asking for anything from Mr. Langley. The only thing she wants is to be done with this marriage. So, if we could just sign and get?—”

“With all due respect, Counselor, you’re getting a little ahead of yourself,” Mr. Rosenberg interrupts with a smug smile.

See! I knew what Michael had planned was too damn good to be true.

“Mediation is about whatbothparties want. Now,myclient would like?—”

“Perhaps you’re hard of hearing, so let me repeat myself. My client only wants a divorce from Mr. Langley, and she’ll get it one way or another. If your client decides to take this further, I’ll be forced to go to a judge and show the abuse my client suffered at the hands of yours. I’m sure there isn’t a judge in the state of Florida who would deny her the divorce. But, if I were Mr.Langley, I wouldn’t want to take such a risk. You know, with him being an officer of the law and all.”

By the time Micheal is finished, he manages to wipe that smile right off Mr. Rosenberg's face. Declan looks ready to blow. His entire face is red, and I notice his hands shaking. I know he would love to reach across this table and take his frustrations out on me, but the fact he can’t kills him.

“Are you threatening my client?”

Michael rolls his eyes like he’s getting bored with this conversation. “It wasn’t a threat. I am merely letting you know what I will doifyou and your client force my hand.”

He grabs a pen and places it on top of the papers. He doesn’t say another word as he meets Mr. Rosenberg's stare. After a few moments, he leans over and whispers in Declan's ear. Whatever he says pisses Declan off, and he starts to shake his head angrily. They bicker back and forth until Declan snatches the pen off the table and begins signing and initialing where his lawyer instructs him to.

My eyes fill with tears from the overwhelming feeling of happiness flowing through me. I turn to Michael with a huge smile just as one drops. Quickly, I wipe it away. When the papers are slid back across the table, I turn and see Declan's menacing glare trained on me.

My smile falters a little, but my heart still beats joyfully. I knew he would be angry, so this isn’t the least bit surprising.

Once all the papers are signed, Michael puts them in his briefcase. I don’t want to spend another second in this room with Declan, so I hurriedly get up and walk out. As soon as I step out, I’m swooped into Red's arms. He spins me around in the hallway and kisses my lips.

“It’s over,” I whisper, breaking the kiss.

“I told you everything would work out. Come on. Let’s get out of here.” Grabbing my hand, he leads me outside with Michaelright behind us. Before we can head to the truck, Michael lets me know he will file the papers, and my divorce will be final in no less than a couple of months.

I don’t like the fact that I will technically still be married to Declan for another two months, but it doesn’t matter.

I am finally free!

I am snatched from his grasp as Red and I walked to his truck. Declan has my arm in a bruising grip.

“This isn’t over! You hear me?!” he roars, spit flying from his mouth. “If you think?—”

Declan suddenly flies backward as Red decks him right in the face. He hits the ground hard, falling on his injured arm. He cries out, rocking back and forth.

Red isn’t finished, though. He squats beside Declan before wrapping his hand around Declan's neck.

“I warned you. Cleary, you ain’t wrapped too tight. Or maybe your mammy dropped you on your head one too many times as an infant. I don’t really care. That was the last time you ever will lay your hands on her. Make sure your affairs are in order. I’m coming for you.”

Each word is spoken calmly and clearly. Red means every single one.

Letting Declan’s neck go, he grabs my hand, leading me away. As we near the truck, Declan’s last words make me freeze.

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