Page 151 of The Catalyst

Nolan Gray had the contract sent over to my father’s business attorney, Warren, before morning, and the call of concern I got from Warren was completely warranted. I explained everything to him in detail and told him the terms I wanted to make sure were included in the agreement. He agreed to go through the contract and check for anything he would see as more of a red flag than the generalized terms I gave him.

I want to make sure that no matter what, the heir I produce for the Gray family will always be cared for financially. They don’t have to touch the Gray money if he or she doesn’t want to. My child will receive a trust fund that they can access once they turn eighteen and a separate college fund. Once the timeline for the contract is up, I will have no contact with Michael or Nolan unless it's through my children. If, at any point, the Gray family breaks their part of the bargain, their entire fortune will be split up between the Bastards, and their businesses liquidated.

I expect Nolan will be pissed, but I need to ensure this deal has as many benefits as possible. I’m signing my life away, after all.

Like Martin said.

Hit him where it hurts.

I have a meeting with Nolan Gray and his attorney in three days for our little mediation. Then, I’ll sign the contract later in the day.

However, I can’t relax.

I pace back and forth in Nigel’s room as I toss random things in my duffle bag, knowing that I won’t be welcome once Nigel is released. Ollie said Nigel would understand eventually, but I’m not so sure that’s true. He’s too stubborn to listen to reason, but he needs to find out everything directly from me.

I drop my makeup bag into the duffle as the door opens, and Judy steps inside before glancing between me and the bag with shock.

“What the hell are you doing?” she asks, completely taken aback.

“I’m packing my things.” I haven’t told Judy, Aimee, or any of the guys about the deal I made. The only ones who know are Martin and Ollie.

“Why? Do you seriously think that the guys will kick you out just because Nigel is in jail? You’re one of us, Bee!”

“Nigel may be in jail right now, but he’s going to be released in three days. When he is, he won’t want me here anymore.”

“What are you talking about?” Judy throws her arms around me and pulls me tight into her.

“I made a deal with the Gray patriarch to get him out of jail.” Her body stiffens against me, but she doesn’t move. “I have to marry Michael and give themanheir. If I didn’t make that deal, Nigel would probably be dead right now. Nolan Gray wanted him dead, and I couldn’t just stand by and let that happen.”

“Oh my god,” she mumbles before hugging me tighter. “It’s okay. What you did was very brave and selfless.”

“There’s more,” my voice cracks through the tears.

“What else?” Judy slowly pulls back and looks up at me with glassy eyes.

“I’m pregnant.”

She gasps and slams her hands over her mouth from the bomb I just dropped.

“And…I don’t know…who the father is.”

She blanches. “What? How could you not know who the father is? You and Nigel have been together since you moved to town. I know you and Oliver had a thing for a bit, but–”

I take a deep breath before sitting on the edge of the bed beside my duffle bag. “It was more than a thing for a bit and, during the week I was gone, I was with Martin.”

Her eyes widen in shock. “Martin! As in Martin Gray, the person Nigel hates more than anyone else on the planet, the one involved in the accident? That Martin? Please, tell me you’re joking.”

“Nope. Do I look like I’m laughing?”

She laughs as she runs a hand down her face. “I mean, you only did it once, right? What’s the likelihood that the baby isactuallyhis?”

“It was definitely way more than once. The likelihood is actually pretty high since it was two months ago and I was having sex withonlyhim for a week straight, dozens of times.”

The look on Judy’s face when she hears the ballpark number is worrisome. She’s so pale and looks ready to faint.

“Oh, my god.” She presses the back of her palm to her forehead dramatically. “Well, does he know about the baby?”

“Oliver, yes. Martin, no. I couldn’t tell him without knowing if the baby is his and as for Nigel… I don’t want the baby to be his and I know that sounds horrible. I want to keep the baby, but I don’t have any confidence that he would actually be a good father and a baby would just keep me around him. I’ve written myself into a corner with this deal and don’t know what to do. I’m having a baby and?—”

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