Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 170(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 170(@300wpm)
I cross my arms over my chest. “Alison is at home. You’re meeting with me.”
He has one hand on the door, and I’m afraid he’s about to step out when I spot Ford behind him. Ford, Lucas, and Beau all walk in, effectively shoving Gregory into the center of the room.
He looks around the room, and I swear he shrinks two feet in size. He starts to stutter. “What.. I wanted to.. uh, meet with…”
I cut him off. “Don’t say her name. Don’t even think about her. We’re married now. She’s my wife.”
His face scrunches up. “You are not, that’s a damn lie.”
I laugh. “Believe what you want, but just know that you won’t ever upset her again. I don’t want you to say her name. Hell, I don’t want you to think about her. You won’t contact her, call her, or reach out to her in any way. She doesn’t want to see you.”
He’s angry, but he’s trying to rein it in. “And my daughter… if I can’t contact Ali—”
I take a step toward him, and he changes his words up. “How do I see my daughter if I can’t contact her mother?”
“You won’t be seeing our daughter either.”
His hands fist at his side. “She’s not yours… she’s—”
“Don't say it,” I tell him. There’s no way I can stand here while he claims my daughter as his. “This is how it’s going to go. Brian here has the papers for you to sign.”
He shakes his head. “I’m not signing anything.”
I just laugh. “Oh, trust me, you’re signing.”
His jaw is tight, and I’m surprised that he’s fighting me on this. I’m already over this conversation, and I want it to end. “How much?”
His eyebrows almost disappear in his hair line. “How much?”
I nod. “Yeah, how much, and don’t act like you want to be in the baby’s life. We both know you don’t.”
He looks at me and then around at my brothers. They’re each standing with their feet shoulder length apart and arms crossed over their chests. I know exactly what he sees when he looks at us. It’s almost like the dollar signs are glaring from his eyes.
He tilts his head to the side. “You’re willing to pay me to stay out of the baby’s life?”
I correct him. “Out of Ally and Kennedy’s life.”
His voice is strangled, and it’s obvious he’s excited. “How much?”
“Two hundred thousand.”
He rolls his eyes. “Please, don’t insult me.”
I just laugh. “Really, if you ask me, this is the easy way. We can walk out of here, and in the next few weeks or so, we can arrange to have you audited. I’m sure they’ll find everything with your marketing business is on the up and up, right?”
He juts his chin at me. “Two hundred and fifty thousand.”
“Done. Sign the paper and give Brian your account information. It will be in your account by the end of the day. Make sure you read it all. You are to have no interaction with Ally or Kennedy.”
He briefly glances through the papers and then signs them. “I knew I would be able to make you pay. I didn’t want anything to do with them anyway.”
I reach for him, but Ford stops me. “He’s not worth it, Austin. He’s signed the papers, and now he’s never going to step foot in Whiskey Run again. If he does, he’ll have all of us to deal with.”
Gregory looks at each of my brothers, and I know we’re an intimidating bunch. “Understood.”
As soon as Brian hands him copies of what he just signed, Gregory walks out the door.
Each of my brothers congratulate me, and I accept their hugs, but I’m ready to get out of here. I want to hold my wife and my daughter.
Chapter 25
Ally
I appreciate what Elle and Huddy are trying to do. They’ve kept me occupied and done their best to keep my mind off things, but all I can think about is Austin. I wouldn’t be surprised in the least if he came home and said he was done and that I’m more trouble than I’m worth. But even thinking it, I know it won’t happen.
Finally, around three hours after Austin left, I hear him coming in through the garage door. I’m out of my seat and run toward him without even thinking. Kennedy is safe in Elle’s arms, freeing me to act on impulse.
As soon as he clears the doorway, I dive for him. He catches me easily, pulling me up in his arms. “Hey, hey, I’m okay. Everything’s okay.”
I breathe out a sigh of relief. “I’m just so glad you’re home. I’ve been so worried.”
He picks me up and carries me over to the recliner. He sits down, cradling me in his lap. I should be embarrassed, but I’m not in the least. If anything, I curl into him and relish the feel of his arms around me.