Page 53 of A Protector For Phoebe (Love will OUT 2)

Pops squeezes my shoulder. “It’s important.”

I nod. If the man who was willing to let me move into his apartment into his daughter’s bedroom says it’s important, I’ll listen.

“Your—” He clears his throat. “Theodore doesn’t want you back because he refuses to give you a divorce. He … um … needs you to have his baby.”

“I know he wants an heir. This is not news.”

“No, you don’t understand. In the terms of the agreement between your parents and him, if you have a child and produce a grandchild for your parents, he gets a large amount of money.”

“How much money?” Nosy Suzie asks.

“A shit ton. Seven figures.”

“Now I know why he went ballistic when he found my birth control pills.”

Ryker growls. “Ballistic?”

I roll my eyes. “Dude, you don’t get to be angry on my behalf. I’m the spoiled little rich girl, remember?” And now I’m on a roll. “You saw where I lived. How could you possibly think I was spoiled or rich for that matter? The things I saw in the shared bathroom.” I make a disgusted face. “And I couldn’t even afford to live in that hellhole. I had to beg for money from Wally.”

“What? Why didn’t you tell us?” Hailey asks and Suzie nods in agreement. “We could have given you an advance.”

“I needed Wally’s help with other things as well.”

Ryker looks at Wally. “You’re the one who did the background check? When Theodore saw someone digging into his past, he told me to grab her.”

Wally frowns. “I figured as much.” He reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. “I’m sorry, Phoebe. I swear I was careful, but when you have those kinds of funds…”

“Yeah, I know. Money talks.”

“What’s the plan?” Aiden asks.

Ryker looks at Wally who nods in encouragement. “I need to convince Theodore Phoebe died.”

“Will he believe you?”

“There’s no reason not to. I’ll fake an accident report. I’ll say she died when she ran out of my truck into traffic and was hit by a car.”

Geez. Do I have to die in such a brutal manner?

“I’ve got it.” Ryker starts to protest at Wally’s declaration, but Wally holds up his hand. “You know I have the contacts to make this look more authentic than you can.”

Wally looks at me. “You okay with our plan, kid?”

Do I have a choice? “As far as I’m concerned, Phoebe Abbot never existed.” I’m not lying. Phoebe Adams, aka Phoebe 2.0, is the real me. Phoebe Abbot was merely the practice round.

“In the meantime, we’ll continue to protect Phoebe,” Lenny declares.

“You mean follow me,” I grump.

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