Page 228 of The Re-Proposal

I glare his way.

He lifts his gun and starts stroking it. “We don’t have internet or a TV here. Until enough time has passed, you’re all the entertainment we’ve got, baby.” He tilts his head to the side and stares at my chest. “If you don’t want to talk, I’ve got other games we can play.”

Winifred gives me an imploring look.

He can’t control Slotter if things get out of hand. I don’t have a choice.

Lips flattening, I spit, “I know Cody did that interview to protect me. He’s always been that way. He does things without consulting me and says it’sforme.” I think of our wedding. His insistence that he was attending that meeting for me. For us. “But it’s just an excuse. He wants me to shut up and follow his lead because he thinks it’s best. He doesn’t stop to ask if I agree.”

“A man in charge. Analpha.” Slotter scoffs at the word. “I used to work for a boss like that. He gave me this scar.” He lifts his hair and shows a cruel burn mark at his hairline. “You got any scars?”

“Cody doesn’t hit women.”

“Hm.”

“He just… likes to be in control. Especially when he thinks it’s for your own good. I couldn’t turn my brain off and blindly agree anymore.”

Slotter cracks a beer and offers it to Winifred.

He shakes his head.

“More for me.” He tips the bottle to his lips, eyes glinting in the darkness. “So you know he loves you, but you left.”

I nod.

“And you love him too?”

I swallow hard.

“Do you?” Slotter asks, getting in my face.

“What does that have to do with—”

He cocks the gun at me. “Entertainment.”

My jaw works. I hate them both so much it burns me inside.

Swallowing back the bile in my throat, I look away. “Since I left him, I haven’t been able to eat or sleep. I listen to that damn interview at night because I miss hearing his voice.”

“You could just call him,” Slotter suggests.

My eyebrows tighten. “He should call me. He hasn’t sent a text, a video. Nothing. He’s the one who was wrong. He should apologize.”

Slotter laughs.

I realize I revealed way too much information and clamp my mouth shut, glowering into the distance.

Slotter shoves his elbow into Winifred’s side. “Look, she’s embarrassed.”

Winifred just smiles in discomfort.

“How much do you think he’d pay for you to come back to him in one piece?” Slotter sets his beer down and counts on his fingers. “Let’s see… one million? Ten? A hundred?”

“More. He’d pay more for her.”

“You’re so sure?”

Winifred stares at his partner. “Last week, his entire security team was on the chopping block and she got him to spare them.”

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