AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“If you already know, then why do I need to say it?”
I shrug. “Suit yourself.” I head for the door.
“Fine, if you hadn’t slept with her, this wouldn’t have happened.”
I laugh, turning back to face him. “You think my cock is that magical, she became obsessed? She doesn’t want me for that.” I take a deep breath. “But she wants what I have, the power, the money, the businesses.”
“I told you not to do business with the Clifton brothers. You got too greedy and now look. She wouldn’t even know you if it weren’t for them.”
I rush towards him, backing him up against the wall. “You might have to clean up some of the mess I make, but don’t fucking dare tell me I’m bad at business. I got us this far.”
“Yeah, and then you fucked it all up for pussy.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You took your eye off the ball, Arthur. You were too focussed on Meli to see what was going on.”
“You didn’t see this either,” I yell. “How the fuck was I meant to know Jolene was a crazy psycho? She played the dumb bitch act well.”
“I’m warning you now, brother. We’re not going down. I’d rather kill our entire family before I let her walk away with what we built.”
I cup the back of his neck and rest my forehead against his. “I’ll find a way, Bert. I always do.”
Meli arrives to the office and smiles when she sees me. My heart feels heavy at what I’m about to do, but I have no choice. It kept me up all night thinking about it. I’m gonna hurt her too much if I don’t make it easier for us both now. I wait until she drops her bag by her desk and comes towards me before I stand and hold up my hand. She stops, immediately looking confused. “Jolene could walk in,” I mutter. “I don’t need to give her any more ammunition.”
“Oh god, you’re really gonna do this,” she almost whispers.
“How do you know what I’m thinking all the time?” I ask, gently running my thumb along her jaw and cupping her face. “Don’t make this hard.”
She steps back, inhales, and fixes me with a hard stare. “I sort of expected it,” she says, her voice void of emotion. “You don’t need to say the words. I get it.”
“I can’t find a way out while you’re in my head,” I explain.
She nods. “Okay.”
“Let me explain, Meli, please,” I beg.
“To make yourself feel better?” she asks coldly.
“No,” I say on a sigh, “but how can I keep you hanging on when I don’t know if I’ll even get out of this? I felt so fucking dirty and ashamed this morning. The guilt alone will rip me apart if we try and keep what we have.”
“Jesus, it’s been less than twenty-four hours and you’re choosing her.”
“No,” I snap. “I’m not fucking choosing her. I don’t have a damn choice, that’s the whole problem. She’s using you as a threat for everything, Meli. Holding you over my head like a damn toy. If you end up dead because of me, I’ll never forgive myself. Your brother will never forgive me.”
“It’s for the best,” she says, nodding and going back to her desk.
“And I can’t feel the amount of guilt I do when we’re still holding on.”
“Exactly,” she agrees. “You need to feel free to fuck her without thinking you’re cheating.”
“That’s not what I mean,” I mutter.
“Isn’t it? You’re dumping me so you can fuck her and not feel bad. Job done, consider me dumped.”
“Meli, you’re making this hard.”
She clutches her hands over her heart and gives a sad expression. “Oh, I’m sorry,” she says, her tone dripping in sarcasm. “I didn’t mean to make you feel worse. I’ll make you feel better, shall I? Maybe I can fuck someone, move on quickly, will that help ease your conscience?”
