Page 38 of Billionaire Secret Daddy

“I don’t know. There’s too much to risk.”

Anne sighed. “At least give him a chance to prove himself. He deserves that much, right? For Jimmy’s sake.”

The doorbell rang, slicing through the air. With a frown, I pushed myself off the counter and switched the phone to my other ear. After sliding the latch halfway, I peered through the slit and stopped breathing when I saw Horace on the other side of the door. Panicked, I nearly dropped my phone and hung up on Anne mid-sentence.

“What are you doing here?”

Fear and lead settled in the pit of my stomach.

Horace stepped forward and put his foot in the door. “I wanted to stop by to see Jimmy.”

“You can’t.”

Horace frowned. “Why not?”

“Horace, you’re not supposed to be here. I already told you I don’t want to see you anymore, and you are not going anywhere near my son.”

Horace’s expression tightened. “That’s so rude, Martha. I came all the way here, and you’re not even going to let me in.”

“I didn’t ask you to come,” I replied, struggling to hear past the pounding in my ears. I tried to slam the door, but Horace kept his foot wedged in the door. After casting a quick glance over my shoulders at Jimmy, who sat in front of the TV, oblivious to what was happening, I swung my gaze back to Horace and straightened my back.

“I’m still here. Look, we don’t have to play these games anymore.”

I took my phone out of my pocket and held it up to my face. “If you don’t leave, I’m going to have to call the police.”

Horace threw his head back and laughed. “Wow, you’re really committed to playing hard to get, huh?”

“I’m not playing hard to get.”

Horace forced his way in, making me take a few involuntary steps back. “I like a woman who makes things interesting, Martha.”

I hid my trembling hand behind my back and gave Horace a withering look. “I’m going to call the police now.”

Before I could hit the button, Horace threw himself through the air and knocked my phone out of my hand. It skidded onto the floor a few feet away. I dove for it, but Horace pulled me back against him, his nails digging into my skin. Then I threw my body back and headed butted Horace in the face. He made a low growling sound, and his grip slackened. Blood pumping steadily through my veins, I spun around and kneed Horace in the groin.

He doubled over and howled in pain.

“Jimmy, go to your room and lock the door.Now.”

I scrambled for the phone, but I was shaking so violently I couldn’t dial anyone. I heard the click of Jimmy’s lock, and the adrenaline pumped harder through my veins. When Horace righted himself again, an angry gleam in his eyes, I saw a shadow in the doorway, and my heart skipped a beat. Albin appeared, took one look at my face, and strode. He grabbed Horace by the back of his shirt and pulled him away.

Albin dragged him back, pushed him out the door, and bared his teeth at Horace. “She doesn’t want you here. Get out.”

I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “I’ll call the police.”

Horace glanced between the two of us and folded his arms over his chest. “Who the hell is this?”

Albin took a step forward and frowned. “Who the hell are you?”

Chapter 15

Albin

“I’m Martha’s boyfriend.”

“He’s not my boyfriend,” Martha maintained, some of the color returning to her face. She came to a stand next to me and squared her shoulders. “I told you that it’s over between us, Horace. I don’t want you coming here anymore.”

Horace growled. “Because of him? Are you two-timing me, Martha?”

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