Page 155 of The Catalyst

The truth is simple. It was Martin’s advice. He said Nolan would only abide by a rule if it would cost him financially.

“It’s simple for such a complex question,” I murmur before meeting his eyes. Then, I continue with a calm, collected voice. “It’s the only way to ensure you keep up your end of the bargain and all of my other demands. You don’t care for much, but you do love your wealth and your company. I have my reasons to keep my end of the bargain, but this will ensure you and Michael make sure the Bastards never have to deal with something like this again. I’m protecting my investment. My people will be untouchable, and that’s how I want it.”

Nolan doesn’t move, cower, or scowl at me, but for a few minutes, he just stares at me. The clock’s ticks on the wall are the loudest thing in this room until the tip of Nolan’s lip turns up, and he slowly nods.

“As you wish, Miss Mercer. I like your guts, but if you have that guarantee of yours, I have one of my own.” Then, he snaps his fingers, his expression exuding boredom.

Mr. Strong opens the folder in his hands and pulls out what looks like a stack of photo paper before handing it to Nolan.

“You should really be more careful when committing crimes that could get you the death penalty in this state,” he mutters before tossing them on the table, the images spreading around the mahogany-stained surface. The heat drains from my body, my flesh dampens from the panic filling me.

The pictures…they’re of me and Ollie in Hempstead. Outside Aimee’s old house, Ollie handing me a gun and tucking one in his pocket. Us walking up to the house. Us leaving the house with streaks of blood on us.

There weren’t supposed to be any cameras nearby. There didn’t used to be.

“It’s easy to persuade drug dealers to relinquish access to their security cameras with just a little cash. It almost took the fun out of getting this leverage against you, Miss Mercer.”

My head snaps up as I flip the pictures over. “Let me guess. If I withdraw from the agreement, you turn these over to the authorities. That’s so original, Mr. Gray.” I try to sound strong and unaffected, but on the inside, I’m panicking.

This just dragged Oliver into this, and I need him not to be in it. It’s bad enough that Nigel and Martin are in danger.

“That would be too simplistic. I don’t need evidence to get the police to do what I say. All I have to do is make a call, and Mr. Doyle will be arrested. I’d have him put down while in holding before his first visitation, and it would be lights out for him,” Nolan mutters without even blinking.

He’s the real psychopath, not Oliver.

How could he talk about his nephew like that? It’s as if he has no compassion or care at all.

“But, you wouldn’t let that happen if you could help it. You’re in love with Mr. Doyle and Mr. O’Reilly, and all you want is for both of them to be safe. If you sign the contract and agree to the terms, they will be, and you can continue your little arrangement with them behind closed doors for all I care. As long as you only have children by my son throughout your marriage, I won’t have an issue with it. Discretion is our family motto, Miss Mercer. Now, do we have a deal?”

That answers one question. Even if this baby is Martin’s, it won’t matter to Nolan. As long as the baby isn’t Michael’s, he’ll take issue with it and he’ll do the same thing to me he tried to do to Casey. My baby won’t be safe.

There is no room for argument. Sure, I could throw a fit and tear apart the photos, but I bet he has copies, and Ollie would be arrested before I could warn him.

“We have a deal, Mr. Gray. Update the contract, and I’ll sign it.”

CHAPTER 61

MARTIN

Itake no joy in this at all. Not a single ounce of it. If he was in jail for hurting Beth, maybe, but like her, I don’t think him hitting me should be a death sentence. We were both upset for different reasons. As soon as I realized it was Beth that I hit and she was hanging off the bridge, I tried to go to her, but considering my cousin was assessing the situation and ordering people around to get her out of there, I didn’t fight too hard when O’Reilly came after me.

He sees me as a problem, something he needs to protect Beth from, but I would never hurt her.

I fucking love her. I love every last thing about her. I’d gladly lay my life down so she could take one more breath.

It’s always been her.

For O’Reilly to think I hit her on purpose was the most insane thing.

I didn’t even have to push his buttons. Just telling him to get out of my way and let me go to her was enough to send him over the edge. If it was anyone else, I wouldn’t have been in such a rush to help and make sure she was okay.

Only my little rabbit.

He only got two hits in because I was distracted by the situation and the cops cuffed him before I could do or say anything.

I walk down the hall of solitary confinement until the guard escorting me motions to the door that belongs to O’Reilly.

I don’t want to fucking be here, but my father gave me no choice. The threats he makes are never pleasant, but none nearly as painful as the ones he made against my little rabbit. He witnessed the control she has over me and he made his interpretation of it. It was a mistake to show my weakness in front of him.

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