Page 61 of Entwined
Easton shook his head, pacing the floor. “You don’t understand what you’re setting yourself up for. Vaughn isn’t someone you can just shut out. When he finds out—and he will find out—there’s going to be hell to pay.”
I flinched at his words, the fear I’d been burying creeping back in. “Then I’ll fight him,” I whispered, more to myself than to Easton. “I’ll fight him for custody, for everything.”
Easton stopped pacing and looked at me, his expression softening. “And what if he doesn’t fight fair, Joey? What then?”
I swallowed hard, my hand tightening over my stomach protectively. “Then I’ll burn it all down before I let him take this baby from me.”
He shook his head. “I think you should tell him.”
“Easton, I love you and you’re my best friend, but this is mine to tell.”
“I understand. Can I at least help you fix up the nursery? That baby you’re carrying will be my niece or nephew.”
I smiled. “I was hoping you would.”
The next few weeks passed in a blur of paint fumes, furniture deliveries, and the constant hum of preparation. I painted the nursery blue after the doctor confirmed what I’d suspected—I was having a boy. As I organized the room, I made sure the door stayed firmly closed whenever my parents visited. I wore loose sweaters, hiding the evidence of my growing belly, and Easton kept his promise, saying nothing to anyone. But I knew, deep down, that my secret couldn’t stay hidden forever.
It happened sooner than I thought. Early November. I’d just come back from grocery shopping, lugging heavy bags from the trunk, when the unmistakable sound of a car engine caught myattention. I turned, my heart sinking as a sleek black Mercedes pulled into my driveway. And I knew.
Vaughn stepped out, his long black wool coat billowing around him. He was as handsome as ever, but the charm he once held over me had long since worn off.
“Josephine,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous.
I placed the bags back into the trunk, standing my ground. “What do you want, Vaughn?”
He raised his hand, silencing me before I could say more. “Did you really think I wouldn’t find you?”
I smirked, even though my heart was racing. “It took you longer than I expected. I figured you’d have help.”
I knew Easton had been pressing me to tell Vaughn about the baby, but I never thought he’d actually betray me.
“I did,” Vaughn admitted, his eyes dark with frustration. “Easton gave me quite the lecture. Jesus, Josephine, why would you keep something like this from me?”
My mouth dropped open in shock. “I don’t owe you anything, Vaughn.”
I turned to walk away, but as my coat flapped open in the wind, my swollen belly was exposed. Vaughn’s eyes locked onto it, and he stepped closer, reaching out as if to touch me. I pulled back.
“That’s my baby,” he whispered, the possessiveness in his voice chilling. “My son.”
I clenched my jaw, biting back the urge to scream. Of course Easton told him it was a boy. He’d been there when I painted the nursery.
“You threw us away, Vaughn,” I spat, my voice trembling with anger. “You manipulated me, used me, all for your own selfish gain. How could you just show up here and think I’d let you back into my life? Into our lives?”
His frown deepened, eyes narrowing into the calculating stare I knew too well. “As far as my son is concerned, you don’t have a choice. I’ll fight you for custody, and I’ll win.”
I laughed, the sound bitter and sharp. “You think so? I’m not the poor, naive Joey Shaw anymore. I’m Josephine Ashworth, billionaire. Take me to court, Vaughn, and see how far you get. I’ll have an army of character witnesses, all ready to testify to your toxic personality.”
He stepped closer, his jaw clenched. “You’ve seen the pictures, haven’t you? All the women.”
I nodded, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “Oh, I’ve seen them. The gossip rags love you. You’re the East Coast’s most eligible bachelor, parading around with a new woman every week. You think that makes you look good in front of a judge?”
Suddenly, Vaughn grabbed my arm, pulling me toward him with more force than necessary. His grip was tight, almost painful, but I refused to show him fear.
“I haven’t slept with any of them,” he hissed, his voice low and desperate. “Because I can’t stop thinking about you. Goddamn you, Joey! You’ve been in my head for years.”
I met his gaze, my voice cold. “You had me once. And look what you did. You Ashworths ruin everything you touch.”
He glared at me, his jaw tightening. “What about Colson?”
