Page 19 of Hard Boss

“She’s trying to get pregnant,” I say. “If she gets pregnant, she will get him for child support.”

“Fuck,” Wilder says. “What if she’s…”

“Then we go for full custody and take that poor child away from her,” I say. “No matter what, we will get through this, Wilder.”

“So… I have a friend who has been helping me,” Arden says. “He thinks you should charge her and file a restraining order.”

“Is it that private investigator?” I ask.

“Yeah,” she says. “Levi Andrews. He is a good guy. He’s going to help me get certified.”

“Well, I agree. Let’s not wait for her. You file a restraining order and charges for rape,” I say.

“Assault and sodomy also,” Arden says slowly.

“You could have left that out,” Wilder says.

“It’s important, Wilder. She’s hurt you a lot,” Arden says.

“May I ask what happened?” I ask.

“She used a stun gun and zapped him until he was down and then used a strap on,” Arden says. “By the way, I want everyone to be proud of me for doing this the legal way, rather than just showing me fucking skinning that cunt alive.”

“I’m very proud of you,” I laugh. “I might do it for you, though.”

“Okay,” Wilder says.

“Sweet. I just sent you something to sign, Wilder,” Arden says. I get up and grab his tablet so I can navigate to Wilder’s email. I pull up the documents and hand it to Wilder.

“What is this?” Wilder asks.

“One is to be a client of Levi. One is to give him and I permission to file on your behalf. One is to give Macie permission to act on your behalf with Dumont Incorporated.”

“What? Why?” I ask.

“So that when the time comes to face the press, you are legally appointed to speak for him,” a man says. “I’m Levi, by the way.”

“I’ve seen pictures of you,” I say. “Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise,” he says kindly. “Wilder, we’ve got you, man.”

“I appreciate this, guys,” Wilder sighs.

“One last thing…” Arden says. “You two need to get married.”

“What?” I ask.

“If you are married and appointed to speak on his behalf, it will hold more weight. Also, you can hiremeas your personal assistant. That way, there is someone else there as a buffer.”

“I mean, he’s stuck with me either way,” I shrug.

“You’d marry me?” Wilder asks.

“Absolutely,” I say.

“Because you want to be with me or…”

“Because you are stuck with me, Wilder. I will be right here at your side for the rest of our lives. No bullshit, remember?”

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