Page 23 of Detest (DeLancy Crime Family)

Chapter Fourteen

Rémy

“Rémy, a thought just popped into my mind,” Cora says, twisting on the couch as she faces me, tucking her feet under her bottom.

“What is it?” I ask gently.

Cora’s taken everything in that I’ve told her about Brittney, but I still don’t know if she’s willing to be with me—to give us a chance.

“Have you verified the marriage is even legal?” she inquires. “I’ve heard of a few of those places not being fully legit. Like the business is real, but the officiant isn’t licensed.

Cora’s question about whether or not I checked into the marriage certificate to make sure it’s legit has got me thinking. What if this was more than just her finding out who I am after that night? Could Brittney have set this whole thing up before she knew about my money? She’s a gold digger, desperate to dig her claws into me and everything I’ve got. But something’s not adding up. There’s got to be something I’m missing.

Standing from the couch, I start pacing Cora’s living room. My mind’s whirling with question after and question. I can’t help burning a hole in her floor while I think. It’s what I do when I’m stressed the fuck out.

Brittney’s here in New Orleans, and though she’s not been able to access my money, I’m wondering how she’s paying for everything. Something’s not right. It can’t be. She’sadamantshe’s pregnant—though, I highly doubt she truly is. In fact, Iknowshe isn’t. Call it a gut feeling or whatever, but I’ll bet all the money in one of my bank accounts she’s not.

The woman’s faking it. Why, though? That’s the question. What does she have to gain by playing me? Yeah, she thinks she might get her hands on my money, but sooner or later, she’s going to have to produce a valid pregnancy. Either way, if she refuses to sign the annulment papers, I’ll file for divorce.

“Rémy?” Cora’s sweet voice penetrates my thoughts, and I stop pacing. Spinning to face her, I meet her gaze head-on and notice the worry lines etched across her features.

Before I can finally respond to Cora’s question about the marriage, my phone rings. Weird. At this hour? Keeping my eyes on her, I pull the damn thing out and answer without looking to see who it is. “Yeah.”

Cora’s head tilts slightly as she stares at me—almost as if she’s examining me under a microscope. I keep my gaze locked on her as she stands and starts in my direction.

“You wanted us to keep an eye on Brittney. Just so you know, one of the guys reported her going inside one of the smack houses,” Malcolm informs me.

This isnotsomething I want to hear at this hour.For fuck’s sake.

“Did they get pictures?” I ask, wanting proof.

Cora’s right in front of me now, eyes never straying from mine, her hands coming up and pressing into my chest.

“Are they dumbasses like this bimbo?” Malcolm chuckles.

I release a harsh breath—his answer is all I need in confirmation. The men who work for our family are not idiots. They know what they’re doing. Hell, a few of them are former military.

“Appreciate it, Malcolm. While I’ve got you on the phone, can you do me a favor?” I ask, releasing a heavy breath. I want this all straightened out and taken care of.

Never have I wanted to fight for a woman as much as I do Cora. She’s worth it.

“Can you look further into Brittney?” I ask. “I wanna know if the place where the two of us got married is legit or not. The sooner, the better on this, Malcolm.”

“You got it,” Malcolm answers, ending the call. He’ll get someone on it, if not do it himself.

Pulling the phone from my ear, I shove it in my pocket and wrap my arms around Cora’s waist, bringing her flush against my front.

“Are you okay?” she whispers.

“Yes, I’m sorry for the headache this is probably causing you,” I murmur just as quietly. I run a hand along her spine soothingly. “I hope you can forgive me for hurting you. I never wanted to do that.”

“The thought of being the other woman hurts—”

“You aren’t theotherwoman. Cora, you could never be some side piece for me. It just sucks that you came into my life when I have a shitshow swarming around me,” I say, sliding my hand up until I’m palming her cheek in my hand. I keep her tight against my front as I do so.

Holding on to Cora and making things right with her is all that matters to me at this moment.

Leaning into her, I press my lips against hers and use my tongue to urge her to open for me. To allow me entrance into that delectable body of hers.

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