Page 54 of Recruited By the Billionaire

“Well at least you aren’t twenty,” RJ continued. “Dad doesn’t date anybody who’s past twenty-five. Did you know that, Francesca?”

“That’s none of my business,” Frankie said.

“But you’re past twenty-five,” said RJ. “Way past twenty-five. Aren’t you worried his preference will soon kick back in and he’ll trade you in for some young beauty?”

Frankie expected Robert to say something to his son after a crack like that, but Robert didn’t say a word. He just sat there, staring unblinkingly at his son.

But Robert remained silent for a reason. He needed to know if Frankie could hold her own against his children. Because if she couldn’t handle them, they’d disrespect her no end. And that was a battle, between his lady and his children, that he didn’t want to have to fight.

“If you’re past twenty-five, don’t you think the odds of Dad sticking around are slim to none?” RJ continued. “I mean, men have types. That’s just a fact. And if you aren’t his type? I mean, it would stand to reason. No?”

When Frankie didn’t respond to that, RJ smiled. “You don’t talk much. That’s in your favor. I’m sure Daddy likes that. Daddy hates when anybody questions his absolute authority over his subjects. Such as his kids. Such as his girlfriends. But tell me this, Francesca, what do they call you? I know nobody’s calling you a name with more than two syllables. We’re a two-syllable country.”

“They call me Frankie.”

“Frankie? Really?” RJ laughed again. “Honestly lady, you are so not his type it’s not even funny!”

“Then why are you laughing?” Frankie asked him.

Robert laughed at that.

But RJ was offended. “I wouldn’t laugh too loud, Dad. A killer girlfriend isn’t something to brag about. She might kill again. She might kill you. After all, she’s killed before. Haven’t you, Frankie?”

“Kiss my ass, RJ,” Frankie said before she realized the words had left her tongue.

But Robert was pleased. That was how you handled a bastard like RJ. What he feared had been answered. If she could hold her own with RJ, Everly would be a piece of cake. He leaned back, folded his legs, and relaxed.

But RJ was inwardly fuming.This bitch, he said to himself. “So you want me to kiss your ass,” he said. “Did I hear you correctly? Is that precisely what you want me to do?”

“You heard me right,” said Frankie.

“No,” said RJ. “I don’t wish to kiss it. But there’s some other things I’d love to do to it.”

Before Frankie could zig him back, Robert jumped up from his seat and seemed to leap over the coffee table to slap the shit out of his son. He slapped him so hard that RJ fell sideways out of the chair.

But he got back on his feet quickly. Frankie stood up, bracing herself for a fight. But RJ didn’t retaliate. He just stood there holding the side of his face and fuming with rage. He just stood there as if he was hurt beyond measure by his father’s aggression. An aggression, Frankie also noted, that he bought on himself.

“Apologize to her right now,” Robert said with clenched teeth, “or I’ll stomp you like a motherfucking roach!” And he said it in a tone so no-nonsense that even Frankie was scared for RJ.

But RJ knew not to cross certain lines with his father. “Sorry,” he said to Frankie so fake and phony that it was a laughable apology. But Frankie couldn’t care less about the little shit’s apology anyway.

And then Everly walked into the house. Another beauty, Frankie thought, although she looked slightly out of it.

When Everly saw her father and brother facing off, she knew what probably had happened. “What did he do now?” she asked her father.

RJ frowned. “Why I had to do something? Why can’t it be Dad?”

“Because it never is,” said Everly. “Hey, Daddy,” she said with a smile and kissed Robert.

But Robert pulled her back to him when she attempted to walk away. He grabbed her by the chin and looked into her eyes. “Your ass high,” he said to her.

“No, I’m not.”

“You are.” Robert had no doubt about it. “I told you I’ll kick your ass if you don’t leave that shit alone.”

“I’m not high,” Everly said, attempting to remove her father’s hand from her chin.

“Yes, you are,” RJ said. “So stop lying and sit down.”

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