The Man I Thought I Trusted - E. L. Todd Page 0,59
doesn’t sound like a happy announcement.” Yes, I wanted his sister to like me, but I wouldn’t lose sleep if she didn’t.
He stared out the window for a few seconds before he turned to me. “I don’t want to have this conversation at all, especially so quickly into this engagement. But since you want to get married within a month, we should talk about it.”
“Okay…”
He sighed before he looked at me again. “I need you to sign a prenup. Is that a problem?”
I narrowed my eyes at the question. “I already assumed that I would.” I knew all the shit Rose had put him through, and since I wasn’t a gold digger, I couldn’t care less about waiving my rights to his wealth.
His neck suddenly stopped looking so tight, like this had been stressing him out all day. “I’m sorry I even have to ask you this…”
“Don’t be.” My hand moved to his wrist, and I gave him a squeeze. “I don’t take it personally. I’m happy to sign it. Because I want to marry you—not your wallet.”
The look he gave me was indescribable, like no one had ever said anything that affected him so deeply. There was affection and love, but something even deeper than that. His hand moved to mine, and he gave it a squeeze in return. “I love you…so fucking much.”
When I left the office, I waved down a cab. When a taxi pulled over, I opened the back door and took a seat.
There was someone already sitting next to the other window, a man I didn’t want to see. “Hey, Carson.” Simon Prescott was in a three-piece suit, much too large to be crammed into the back of that small taxi.
The driver didn’t pull away or ask for my address, so he was obviously paid to do what Simon told him to do.
My heart fluttered because I was caught off guard, but I gave him a cold stare like I was fearless and unaffected by the orchestrated visit. “How’s killing innocent people going?”
He didn’t react to my jab. “Business is good. Thanks for asking.”
The best way to control the situation was to behave like you were the one in power, even if you weren’t. So I took charge of the conversation, took the lead so he wouldn’t feel like he had me cornered. “How can I help you?”
“I wanted to commend you for making the right choice. Killing you would’ve been such a waste, and I’m so glad I didn’t have to.”
I didn’t know how he figured out so quickly that I’d stepped down, but my eyes narrowed in irritation because my decision had nothing to do with him or his threats. “I didn’t walk away because of you. Let’s get that straight. Your ego doesn’t need another boost.”
“There’s no shame in admitting you value your life more than an article.”
“Trust me, I would’ve chased you to the end of the earth if I didn’t have a more pressing obligation.”
“What obligation could possibly be more pressing than locking up an asshole like me?” He tilted his head as he regarded me, like my responses were truly interesting.
“Family.” I would have a husband soon enough, maybe a couple kids in a few years. I couldn’t risk my life anymore, not when I had someone who couldn’t live without me.
“Again, you made the right choice. I suggest you warn whoever takes your place.”
“Oh, I will.” I grabbed the handle and opened the door. “Goodbye, Simon.” I stepped out of the cab.
I sat with Charlie in his cubicle, and we talked quietly so we wouldn’t interrupt anybody nearby. “He acted like he was ready for me to throw a hissy fit when he asked me to sign a prenup. I’m surprised he would assume I would have a problem with it.”
“I don’t think that’s what he assumed. He just wanted to make sure it wasn’t going to be a problem.”
“After everything that happened with his ex, I really can’t blame him. Even if that never happened at all, I still wouldn’t blame him.”
He shrugged. “It’s a delicate subject for a lot of people. I’m sure there are some partners who are really offended when they’re asked to sign one.”
“The only reason they should be offended is because they have less than pure intentions.”
“Maybe.”
I put my feet up on his desk and leaned back in my chair. “Guess who I saw yesterday?”
He shot a disgusted look at my shoes. “Do you mind?”