Page 59 of The Bad Boy's Homecoming
“Like someone would forge a result to make sure the person they wanted to be the father was named?”Levi asked.
“Yes, and when the father may be worth as much as you are, with another ten years of earning potential, I’d recommend you use the court to handle the test.”
Levi sighed.
“You said yourself she used you once.Her track record isn’t great.”
“Alright, let’s do the court order.Is there any reason I shouldn’t reach out to her and speak to her about the process?”
“You’d be tipping your hand that you have a lawyer, but she’s going to find out in a day or so anyway.It might make things go more smoothly if you are on good terms with her.Because if she has a lawyer and wants to refuse the test, it could delay things for months.And you won’t know if the baby is yours or not until she takes the test or the baby is born.”
“This is insane.”Levi sat forward, running his hands through his hair.“And the worst part is for a split second when I heard, I almost wanted the baby to be mine.”
“Do you love her?The mother?”Declan asked.
Levi looked up.“No, but I would love my child, and I guess her by default if she is going to be the mother.”
“No one would argue with that logic.I’ll get this court order filed today and get her served by the end of the week.Then we’ll see how she responds.”
“Thank you,” Levi said.
“I just have one request if you’re going to be my client.”
Levi knew what was coming.
“Leave my cousin alone, at least until you get your life in order.”
“I don’t think that’s really up to me, but I hear you.”
“Alright, then the worst part is the waiting.”
Levi left feeling even more restless than he’d started the day.His new agent, PR team, and lawyer were doing everything they could to solve two of his problems.But nothing would get him closer to the one person he wanted.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Missy
Green with Envy
If an artistwore their heart on their sleeve, then Missy’s was full of lust and jealousy.Each new piece was more intense than the last, with vibrant strokes and emotion that nearly jumped from the canvas.At least that was how her newest work felt.So much so that she finally had to just focus on cleaning her brushes to take a break from all her feelings, which was a tedious process with one hand.
“Well now, it’s nice to see this fiery side to your work,” Mrs.Hart said, as she waltzed into the sunroom that doubled as Missy’s art studio with her bag of yarn and a tall glass of iced tea.“I was wondering if you only did landscapes.”
After setting her things in her usual chair, Mrs.Hart walked closer to the gallery wall.It was full now with four more new pieces, and she was behind in making frames.Each piece she posted was snatched up by the gallery, so she hadn’t posted the last three.They were the most intense she’d done.
“Missy honey, you know you can talk to me about anything, but I don’t think I’m the audience you’ll want to spill your guts to on this one.”Mrs.Hart pointed to the one of a man’s forearm and a woman’s torso, she’d painted the day before after she and Levi spent the afternoon together.
“I think my muse decided she was tired of the beach,” Missy said.
“I guess so.Maybe your muse needs a ladies’ night out.”
Before Missy could answer there was a knock at the door, and she took the excuse to change the subject about her art.Brooke was there at the back door with a big smile.
“Hey, how is the hand doing?”
“It doesn’t hurt so much as it’s just annoying now.It took me twice as long to clean my brushes.”
She let Brooke in and they walked into the kitchen where all the cleaning supplies were being stored near the sink.
