Page 207 of Mad As Hell

He frowned. “Don’t cheapen what we have by comparing my need to have my dick sucked on a regular basis. What Junior and I have is strictly a biological release.”

“You’re beyond twisted,” I muttered, barely suppressing a smile.

“I know what we’re doing is the best play,” he finally relented, “but I also know what Gary’s capable of. I’m allowed to worry about my wife going into the viper pit.”

I traced his knuckles slowly. “Well, I’m doing this to protect my husband and my new little sister. So deal with it.”

A frown creased his forehead. “I need to get Cori out of there before shit hits the fan.”

I tensed, fear spiraling through me. “I thought that me having Brookfield meant Cori was safe. Beckett can’t use her for the inheritance.” I’d signed the paperwork over the weekend that made me the owner of Brookfield and the sole heir to the Harris family estate when Mr. Harris passed.

The lawyer, who was older than Mr. Harris, assured us all the paperwork would be filed by Monday. I was kind of amazed at how fast everything had come together, especially over a holiday weekend. But when I’d voiced that thought, Ryan had smiled at me like I was adorable and reminded me that things like holidays stopped being hurdles when you threw enough money at them.

“I still want Cori far, far away,” Ryan muttered. “I don’t trust Beckett not to lash out at her just to hurt me when things blow up in his face.”

“Then we’ll make sure she’s safe before we make a move,” I promised, flashing him a smile full of determination. I quickly shot off a text to Gary to let him know I’d be waiting, then I settled against the seat and enjoyed the time I had left with my husband.

* * *

My finger felt naked without my wedding band. I’d had one for only a few days, but I loved it. I curled my hands into fists as the car Gary had sent turned up the long driveaway that led to his home.

The sun had just finished melting into the ocean when we stopped in front of the house. I waited for the driver, Bernard, to turn off the ignition and open my door. As soon as he did, I stepped out and squared my shoulders, readying for battle.

“Your father is waiting in his office,” Bernard instructed me.

I didn’t reply, just gave him a curt nod and headed inside. Mrs. Delancey opened the door when I made it to the top step. Her face showed little emotion, but I thought I saw a flicker of sadness in her eyes.

“Hello, dear,” she murmured, closing the door. The sound echoed in the vast entryway.

“Mrs. Delancey.” I greeted her with cool indifference. She knew what kind of a monster lived here, and while I knew she was looking out for her son, I still felt like she’d betrayed me. Betrayed my sister.

“Can I get you anything?” she offered, taking my coat when I’d slipped it off my shoulders.

I shook my head, brushing her off as I continued down the hallway. My heels clicked against the marble tiles as I walked deeper into the house. The door to Gary’s office was open, but he was on the phone.

Pausing in the doorway, I waited for him to acknowledge me before moving any closer.

He glanced up from behind his desk, his gaze sharpening when he saw me. “Wallace, I’ll have to call you back.” He hung up the phone and smiled. “Sweetheart, welcome home. I trust your vacation went well?”

I arched a single brow. “Better than well, I’d say.”

His lips twitched. “Oh? Did you listen to the recording?”

I scoffed and came into the room, tossing my phone onto the desk as I sat in the chair across from him like I owned it. I crossed my legs. “I might have, if Ryan had given me space to breathe.”

His shoulders stiffened, his eyes narrowing. “You think he suspects something?”

“No, more like he’s insatiable,” I deadpanned, giving him a look. “I swear, the only time he was away from me the entire time was when he met with his grandfather, and even then, it was only a few minutes before he came looking for me.”

Gary grinned, and I shoved down the icky feeling that began to fester in my gut. “Sounds like you’ve got him right where we want him.”

I sighed and rolled my eyes. “I hope so, because I’m not sure how much longer I can keep playing the doting fiancée.”

“You’ll do it for as long as I say,” he snapped, and I realized I’d taken my defiant act a little too far.

I smiled serenely. “Whatever you say, Dad.”

He watched me, his gaze so probing that I wondered if he knew everything we were hiding. Everything we were planning.

---