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I shoot James a warning glare before moving, and everyone stares at him as if he were on trial.
“Dad,” Carolina says, “this needs to be a private conversation.”
“No need to talk in private,” James blurts out. “It’s quite simple, sir. Your daughter married me and now wants a divorce. Since I won’t sign the papers, she’s blackmailing me, lying to the dean so I’ll lose my job.” His eyes narrow on Carolina. “Retract your statement and tell them you lied. I’ll sign the divorce papers, let your little boyfriend clear my devices, and be on my way.” His voice shifts into a plea. “Please.I can’t lose my job over this.”
Carolina shakes her head. “No. I won’t do that to the other women who stood strong with me to expose you. Your behavior needs stopped before you put another woman through hell.”
“Please,” James pleads. “If you don’t, I’ll ruin your life just as much. Don’t forget, all I need to do is hit a simple button—”
Kyle grabs my shirt, stopping me from lunging at James.
“You do that, and not only will you be fired from the university, but you’ll also be prosecuted,” Carolina states matter-of-factly. “No longer will I allow you to threaten me. Do it, and you’ll go to jail.”
Defeat crosses James’s face. “Please,” he begs.
“Leave before I have them arrest you for being here,” Carolina tells him, her voice strong and firm, before she holds a finger up. “Actually, I’ll be right back.”
James mutters, “Shit,” under his breath while Carolina darts to her bedroom, returning seconds later with papers, a pen, and a Kleenex in her hand. I tense when she approaches him and shoves a Kleenex in his hand.
“Here,” she says. “Don’t want you to get blood on these.”
Everyone watches her in confusion, and James wipes his nose, balling up the Kleenex in his fist when he’s finished.
“Divorce papers,” Carolina says, waving them in the air before shoving them into James’s chest. “Sign them, or I’ll have these kind officers make a police report. I’m sure you’dreallylose your job if the university found out you came here and threatened me.”
We wait for his next move, and time slows while Carolina and James have a staredown. The hate Carolina feels for the man who has put her through hell is clear on her face. Finally, James nods, snatches the pen, and walks around her to the coffee table. Bending, he signs his name.
“There you go,” he says, slamming down the pen and leaving the papers on the table before adjusting his attention back to Carolina. “Happy now?”
She nods, and her voice is stone cold as she says, “Very.”
“Thanks for ruining my life,” he spits, his face tightening into a grimace. “I’m out of here.”
I step in front of him, standing tall and cutting him off on his way to the door. “Remember what she said. Do anything stupid, and she’ll press charges.”
“Got it,” he bites out, maneuvering around me.
Everyone shuffles out of his way, and he keeps his head down while storming out of the loft. Not a word is muttered until the door slams shut behind him.
“Well,” Kyle says around clearing his throat, “looks like our work here is done.”
“Yep,” Gage agrees, rubbing his hands together. “We’ll make sure”—his voice trails off as he gets his words straight—“that guy leaves, and then we’ll be on our way.”
Kyle throws me a wary look. “Let me know if you need anything or if he comes back.”
“We will,” I say.
They say their good-byes to everyone, and as soon as they leave, Tricia asks, “Are we talking about this now or later?”
“Later,” Carolina and Rick answer at the same time.
Rick wears an unreadable expression as he pushes his hands into the pockets of his slacks and focuses on Carolina. “Please stop by the church when you have a minute.”
Carolina’s response comes out in a whisper. “Okay.”
Rick tips his head in my direction. “Rex.”
Tricia follows Rick as they leave.
