AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Once I’m only a few feet inside, I spin on my heel to face them and hold up my hands. “Stop. This is as far as you’re going.”
She releases a long drawn-out sigh and presses her lips together but doesn’t try to change my mind.
Surprisingly, neither one presses to come in any farther, both gazes darting around the room. My back’s to my home but I know what they see. Clothes strewn all over the small living room.
They’re clean. I did laundry earlier today before work but ran out of time to fold and put them away. None of that matters. All they see is trash and Sage proves that’s so when her upper lip curls in disgust.
“Stay right here. I need to get some water.” I lick my dry lips and hurry to the kitchen.
Normally, I’d offer my guests a drink, but these two weren’t invited and I’m making sure they know it. I haven’t forgotten my manners. Instead I’m choosing not to be hospitable.
My place is small enough that they aren’t out of my sight while I down two glasses before my thirst is somewhat quenched. Leaving the glass on the counter, I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand and join them at the entrance.
Arching a brow in question, I urge them to get to the purpose of their visit. I’m readying for their assault. There’s no mistaking that’s what this is.
“I’ll keep this short seeing as it’s an ungodly hour and I’ve got better things to do.” Sage is off to a fabulous start, and I huff, causing her to pause at my contempt. “Get rid of the baby or leave town. Those are your choices.”
“Excuse me?” I heard her just fine, and a small part of me isn’t shocked by the demand, but the nerve of this woman.
“I’ll pay for an abortion and give you enough money to start over somewhere else.”
“No.”
“Then, I’ll give you enough money to leave town now. You can start over someplace else and have the baby there. But you’re to never return to Prospect or contact Ridge. Ever again.”
My exhaustion takes a back seat to my outrage. “What part of no don’t you get?”
“You’re not understanding. You’re lucky I’m even giving you a choice.” Anger blazes from her stony gaze. “I will not have your illegitimate child running around this town, sullying the Kincaide name, and giving the gossips something to chew on for years to come.”
The woman waggles her finger at me, stepping closer as if I’m hard of hearing. My blood boils. The conversation with Ridge, his call to tell me he told his family about the baby, flashes in my mind.
He sounded hopeful whereas despair swamps me. Is he really naïve enough to believe all would be fine?
Ridge doesn’t strike me as stupid or gullible. He must have expected this at the very least. Or maybe he’s in on this shakedown. Maybe he knows his mama’s here, making demands, and this way he doesn’t have to be the bad guy.
Nah, that doesn’t feel right.
Ridge isn’t a bullshitter.
If he wanted nothing to do with this baby—with me—he’d have told me without any remorse.
“I will not have you destroying Ridge’s life or the family business.” Her voice cuts through my thoughts and her rant yanks me back to the present.
“You done?” I step around them, curling my hand on the doorknob. “Let me make myself clear. I can’t be bought. This is my life, and as far as this baby is concerned, only two people get to have a say about its future. And that’s Ridge and me. So get out.”
I fling the door open and glare, willing them to try me. Trey and Sage exchange a glance. His is more one of retreat but hers…
She’s the general and never willing to give up a fight. “Name your price.”
I scoff and pause for a second, wanting to say something outlandish like a million dollars, but don’t. I’m afraid she might say yes. Not that I’d take the money—as tempting as it would be. I just don’t want to know how far she’s willing to go to get her way.
“I’m not for sale.”
“We’ll see about that. Everyone’s for sale for the right price.” She storms out of my apartment, and instantly, I can breathe easier.
Trey stares, without any indication that he plans to follow his mother any time soon.
I narrow my gaze on him. “Get out of my home.”
