Page 26 of The Billionaire and the Stripper (The Manhattan Billionaires)

“Why didn’t you tell me someone shot at you?” he demanded.

He still hadn’t greeted his daughter, so I took this sudden concern for my safety with a pinch of salt. Brandon was here because he wanted something.

“Because it’s none of your business,” I replied calmly.

“My daughter’s safetyismy business,” he snapped.

“Since when? You’ve done nothing for Rose. You didn’t even acknowledge her until you wanted to impress your new girlfriend,” I pointed out.

Brandon flushed an ugly red color.

“I justknewyou were going to throw that in my face. People change, Celine. Being with Sarah finally showed me that I want a family. You don’t get to be bitter about it just because I didn’t want that with you.”

“I don’t care about what you want, Brandon. Or whom you want it with. But I do care about this sudden show of concern for my daughter because it seems as fake as your hair color. You couldn’t even keep her for a full weekend without resenting her for bonding with Sarah. So, cut the bullshit and tell me why you’re here,” I snarled.

Brandon swore under his breath and stepped away from Rose who was trying to grab his pant leg.

“Da-da,” she babbled, but he didn’t even care. I wished I hadn’t taught her to call him Da-da. He didn’t deserve it.

“I’m here to tell you that you’re playing with fire. I know Arjun Monani and Jeff Sabri. You can’t win against those guys, Celine. It’s safer for you to just tell them what they want to know.”

I couldn’t believe I’d had a child with this lowlife.

“You do know that Arjun was trying to pimp his sister out to that monster?” I asked.

“That has nothing to do with you, so stay out of it.”

I crossed my arms and stared him down.

Brandon worked for the DA’s office. He was supposed to be one of the good guys. How did I not see that under that charming exterior, he was as sleazy as Arjun Monani?

“And what if I don’t?” I asked sharply.

Brandon took a deep breath and stared back at me coldly.

“Then, you will force me to file for full custody of my daughter because you’re unfit to be a mother. All it’ll take is a few pictures of you at work, whoring yourself out onstage, and any court in the country will grant me full custody.”

“You sonofabitch,” I hissed. “He got to you, didn’t he?”

Brandon flushed again.

“I don’t know what you mean, Celine. I’m just trying to protect my daughter.”

“Fuck that! You’re trying to protect yourself and you’re using your daughter as a pawn to do it. What does Arjun have on you?”

Brandon grabbed me by the shoulders and shook me hard.

“Shut your fucking mouth, and do as I say. Just tell him where his sister is hiding, and this will all go away. Do you really want to risk losing Rose?”

“Get your hands off me,” I shrieked, shoving him away.

Brandon’s eyes focused on a spot behind me and he turned white.

Marcus pulled me behind him before he advanced on Brandon who began backing away.

“I didn’t mean...” he sputtered.

Marcus backed him up against a wall and leaned into him. He still hadn’t touched him. He didn’t need to. His body practically vibrated with fury and it was enough to cow Brandon.

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