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“Exactly. I’m weighing up telling Frank privately; I can hardly pass out a warning if the intended recipient doesn’t receive it. And I wasn’t bullshitting, he’d need to act fast.” Resting back on his heels, and pressing his back to the wall, he scratched at his chin as he pondered what to do next. “I want Frank to know.”
“You want him in your debt.”
“Yes. But more than that, I want him to know I’m aware of the situation and that you have my backing.
“Janice can wear the pants with her husband’s money, but it’s damn different when you approach a businessman and tell him his bank balance is under threat. If I have to destroy them, I will, Samantha. If it means protecting Erin, I’ll do it.”
Her eyes widened. “You don’t have to do that.”
His mouth firmed. “I do.”
“They’re Erin’s family. I don’t want to hurt them,” she murmured softly.
“They’re more than willing to hurt you. And they’re more than willing to do something that directly harms Erin. They’re not being so kind, Samantha. Treat others how you wished to be treated yourself? Well, not now, and not with a custody battle.” When she flinched, her mouth quivering… he said gruffly, “Don’t do that.” He’d read her hesitation and was surprisingly irked by it.
“Don’t do what?”
“Don’t hesitate with me. You don’t have to be frightened of me.” He wanted to tell her she never had to be frightened ever again but he couldn’t make such a promise. Not only because it was an irrational one to make, but also because a singular person could never protect someone entirely. Even when you, metaphorically, wrapped someone up in cotton wool, you couldn’t protect them totally.
“I’m not frightened.”
Her mulish tone had him smiling—not much. His lips just twitched but it was something after the total meltdown he’d just had. Blowing out a breath, he murmured, “I know you’re not. But that doesn’t mean you’re not used to having your opinions either belittled or ignored. Say what you want to me. I prefer honesty to BS.”
“You can’t always blurt out the first thing that’s on the tip of your tongue.”
“No, maybe not always,” he conceded. “But sometimes, sure you can. This situation is one I’m piggybacking in on. It’s about you and Erin, and what’s best for the both of you. If anyone has a say, it’s you.”
She processed that, then surprised him by stepping carefully his way. He didn’t look up, just saw her leather ballet pumps approach his peripheral vision, then she too leaned against the wall and slowly slid down. Unlike him, she didn’t rest on her heels, she spread her legs out before her. “You’re right. It is my right to have a prerogative.”
“Good,” he told her, pleased they’d cleared that up.
“I don’t want you to hurt them.”
“I won’t. Not physically. Not even emotionally,” he countered. “They can’t be hurt there. Not really. They’re too pig-skinned. But hit them in
the bank balance? That sure as hell will get them moving.”
She turned her head to the side. “I-I know you’re right.”
“But?”
“I just don’t want to cause anyone any unwilling pain.”
“I understand that, and I think it’s very noble of you, but let me reiterate, there’s nothing noble about the fistfight Janice is willing to drag us all into. And look at how she just behaved. Aside from abominably, it’s damn proof that the woman had bare-knuckle fighters in her bloodlines.”
He caught her smile, and ducked his head to avoid it once more. Yet again, he couldn’t face the cacophony of emotions she was making him feel.
“Can’t we just threaten them but not act on it?”
“It depends. I’ve made the first move.”
“But like you said, Janice might not even tell Frank.”
“Maybe not. Do you want me to contact him?” This time he did meet her gaze, wanting her to see just how serious he was about this matter. At this moment in time, nothing held more importance to him.
She bit her lip. “You’re leaving it in my hands?” At his nod, she turned her head away and stared at the elevator floor.
He followed her gaze, looked at the sleek silver, that was matched either side by exquisite watercolors that depicted Central Park at sunrise. The entire vestibule screamed exactly how prime this real estate was. Some people’s apartments weren’t this fancy, and it was only the walkway to the four homes on this level.
