Page 104 of Ruthless Lord
He’s playing withmy husband.
“Let’s say I do it.” He tilts his head to the side. I know that look. He’s doing the calculations. “What do I get?”
“Continued life,” Stefano offers.
“Overrated,” Dad says flippantly. Which is obviously a bluff.
“I have something better. Something you very much want.” I put my fists on my hips and stare him down. “If you pull this off, I’ll step aside as heir to the Westbrook family. Grandfather hasn’t changed the will yet. I’ll make sure everything goes to you.”
Dad’s eyes widen. I knew the selfish prick would like that. Stefano turns to stare at me, his expression hardening, and I can’t tell what he’s thinking. Probably nothing good. I don’t care though.
This is my decision.
“You’re serious,” Dad says softly. “You really will give it up, won’t you?”
“I never wanted it to begin with. I think you’d be better at running that nest of vipers anyway. What do you say, Dad? Stab your own father in the back to get what you want?”
“Gladly,” he says quickly, not even thinking about it. “You have a deal.” His fingers waggle. “Should we shake?”
“Stefano, hit him one more time.”
“Wait, what the?—”
Stefano slams a fist into his mouth. He groans, coughing, and spits blood to the side.
“That’s a reminder of the stakes. You can either end up getting everything you want, or—” I gesture at my husband. “Your call.”
Dad shows me bloody teeth in a big smile. “Maybe your grandfather chose right when he picked you.”
“Fuck that.” I turn my back on the bed. “Come on, Stefano. Let’s leave these two to figure out how they’re going to pull this off.”
He grunts and follows me to the door. But before I can go, Emily hurries over, holding her kimono closed with one hand.
“Charlie, hold on.” She glances over her shoulder, voice lowering. “I’m so sorry. It was all his idea. I know you won’t believe me, but I really did?—”
I whip my fist back before smashing it right into her nose. I twist my hip and lean my shoulder into it, punching just like Stefano told me to.
“Ow, shit,” I say, shaking my hand, as Emily staggers backward and falls to the floor, yelping and screaming in pain. Blood’s gushing from her nose, ruining the rug.
“Nice punch,” Stefano says, putting an arm across my shoulders and steering me away back into the hall. When we’re alone again, he pulls me tighter against his side. “You shouldn’t have done that. The Westbrook fortune?—”
“I don’t want it.” I face him, hands on his chest, and get on my toes to kiss him lightly. “I never wanted it. Not really. It gave me a reason to get up in the morning, but now—” I let that hang in the air.
He kisses me harder. “Are you sure?”
“I’m positive. And don’t worry. I still have a hefty trust fund.” I pat his chest lightly before striding off. “You still married a rich girl.”
“Thank God,” he says, pretending to sound relieved.
Chapter 33
Charlie
Dad’s much more composed the next day when he shows up at the trucking depot. He strides into Stefano’s office and frowns at the cramped space before slumping into the only available chair, crossing his legs like he owns the place.
“Let’s get to it then,” he says, tossing a folder onto Stefano’s desk. “That’s everything I have.”
Stefano looks at the paper like it’s going to infect him before sliding it over to me. I sit perched beside him and pick it up, flipping through. There are call logs, receipts, text messages, and emails. But no smoking gun. Nothing that directly implicates my grandfather.
