My beloved father, unfortunately, sent me a “save the date” given he and my mother needed to head back home soon, and I was avoiding both them and the upcoming family gathering like the plague. I could no longer put off going as they continued rescheduling solely for the purpose of me being present.
I was slowly beginning to think this would be less of a get-together and more of an intervention for me and my new addiction to the man beside me, who was shamelessly holding onto my thigh possessively.
Saying Gavin and I weren’t on good terms with my father, or going through a “rough patch,” as he had described it, may have been the understatement of the year, considering I would gladly be on all fours for my personal incubus.
Vincent explained, “Your soon-to-be ex-husband, Rosenna, is going to play the game the same way we do. If we go the blackmail route, we feed the media your reputation for the next two to three years when he inevitably leaks the videos he has. If we go the legal route, he and Mr. Sullivan are going to exhaust every option within the law they can come up with in their firm to stay in control of you, your assets, and your profits.”
Kira shook her head. “If I know Gaslight Gavin like I think I do, he’ll come up with a way to screw us all over if he can. His ego won’t let him do anything else.”
Earlier, I’d informed them Brent wanted to discuss something, though we collectively decided I should stay away from him. It wasn’t known what his intent was to speak to me, but I didn’t truly care to find out.
“Where do we go from here?” I asked, and Vincent tilted his head.
“Mr. Johnson has already shown us he isn’t willing to play by the rules or play fair. Unluckily for him, I happen to know a few people who aren’t afraid to get their hands a bit dirty…”
His phone rang as if on cue, and a smile came to his face.
“Right on time.”
He answered as he stood up, and I sent worried glances to both Kira and Beckham.
“Killian Russel.It’s been a while since we’ve spoken… How is the family?” My eyes widened as he laughed at Killian’s response. “That’s good to hear. I was actually looking to ask a favor from you… well, from Newman—”
Beckham stood up abruptly before he grabbed the phone from his father and ended the call.
“I’m sorry… am I missing something?” I muttered in confusion.
Beckham’s jaw clenched. “TheRusselsare notorious for having people who threaten their circle disappear. Gavin is lucky their family serial killer doesn’t know his name.”
“Mr. Garcia, you can not call a hitman on my husband,” I said, my eyes wide in surprise.
Kira shrugged beside me. “Why not? He’s going low. We should go lower.”
“Precisely my thought, Kira,” Vincent agreed.
I looked between the both of them in shock. Beckham seemed to be the only one with common sense.
“Actually…” Kira began before she let out a sigh. “We can’t do anything too abrupt yet. He’s expected to be at the family gathering coming up.”
Vincent nodded. “Afterward, then. If our progress is stunted, then we’ll plan. How does that sound, Ms. Hart?”
“It sounds absolutely ludicrous—”
Beckham cut me off. “Fine. But nothing falls on her if it goes south. You’ll be responsible for cleaning up the aftermath.”
I could only hold my head in my hands as I let out an exasperated breath.
After a moment, I stood, grabbing my belongings.
“Where are you going?” Kira asked.
“I am already on the brink of losing my sanity. Listening to you all plan Gavin’s death won’t make me any better.”
Beckham grabbed my purse from my hand before placing his on the small part of my back as we exited the conference room.
“So Mr. Garcia is treading carefully in the legal waters of my divorce, but killing the man would hold less repercussions?” I asked.
He shook his head. “Billionaires have their strengths and weaknesses, lawyers too. Gavin can drag this thing out for years, and obviously, my father is no stranger to well-thought-out lawsuits or allegations. Removing him from the equation would be easier, and cost us less in legal fees. But your shitty husband will be fine. Despite me wanting him dead, I won’t let my father go that route.” He pushed a strand of hair behind my ear as he placed a small kiss on my temple. “Get some fresh air, then head back to the office. Let me take care of these two.”
