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“I didn’t know you were pregnant when I made the deal with Greystoke. I was trying to get you out of here as fast as I could after we kissed.”
“Jesus. Do you hear yourself? What is wrong with you?”
“I know I made mistakes—”
“A mistake? What you did was irrevocable!”
“And I accept that,” he yells. “But you deserve to know the truth, so I’m going to tell you. Yes, I wanted you gone. You uprooted everything I thought I knew and made me question everything. When we kissed, I knew I was fucked because I couldn’t deny it any longer.”
“Deny what?”
“That I loved you!” His chest rises and falls as he breathes heavily. “I fucking love you with all my heart, and it scares the shit out of me.”
“What you claim to feel isn’t love. You used me. You lied to me. You were going to take my child from me.”
He nods. “That all is true, but it doesn’t change the fact that I do love you.”
“And how will your precious Jane feel about this so-called love you feel for me?”
“It’s over with Jane. Jane has left the country to be with her lover.”
I shake my head, not knowing what to say.
“There’s more. Max Erics is dead. Winter Phrygia killed him. You no longer have to worry about him coming after you.” He pauses. “But Erics killed your father before I could stop him. I’m so sorry, Ari. Your father is gone.”
I can hear my pulse whooshing in my ears. No! That can’t be true. My dad was a soldier. He knows how to take care of himself. He…
Kieran says, “His body is buried next to your mother in Chicago.”
A numbness settles over me. “Anything else?”
“One last thing. The money from your prenup with John has been deposited into your bank.”
“The money? Really? You think I give a shit about the money?” I stand. “You lied to me. You got me pregnant without my consent. You knew my father was dead and said nothing. You fucked my mother. And you think I care about the fucking money?”
“Ari, I’m trying to tell you that you have options. You don’t have to worry about Erics or Greystoke coming after you. Your father can’t sell you off to anyone. You are free to do as you please.”
“Do you mean that?”
“I do.”
“And do you still claim to love me?”
“I will love you until the last breath leaves my body.”
He says it with so much conviction that I almost believe him. Almost.
“I want a cell phone,” I say. “And access to my money.”
“Done. Anything else?”
“Yes. I want a ticket booked to England where I can see my younger sisters.”
“You can take my jet.”
“I’d rather not.” I exhale. “Most of all, I want to leave this house and never see you again. And, if you love me as much as you claim, you won’t try to stop me from leaving.”
Several emotions flicker in his gaze before he nods.
