Alpha CEO

“I don’t even know you.”

“Then we can all get to know each other. After we finish the tour tomorrow in LA, we can fly straight from there to pick up Capri. You guys can pack, or I can buy you all new things. We can head back to Texas in the morning.”

“Oh my God, Julian. This is too fast.”

“On the contrary I’m being very lenient with you.”

“You’re being an asshole is what you are!”

“At this point, it’s your term of endearment for me.”

“I hope you can get our daughter to like you, because I sure as hell don’t.”

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

She threw the contract across the table. “I want my own room. Furthest away from yours.”

I grinned, looking at Anderson. “Write it up.”

For the next month, she would be mine. They both were.

And I was going to make damn sure it stayed that way.

Chapter TWENTY-TWO

—Autumn—

Once again, we were sitting in Julian’s private jet. Except this time, we were flying from LA to San Diego, where I lived with our daughter. I couldn’t believe this was happening. One minute we were fighting about his demand’s, and the next he was hitting me with a whole new one, which might as well have been worse than his first ones.

I was stuck by his side for the next month, as if the last week wasn’t hard enough. Now, we were also involving Capri, and I was sick to my stomach. I told her I was coming home, but I didn’t tell her with who. I honestly didn’t know what to say or where to start, and I knew Julian wasn’t going to allow me to go by myself to get her. This was my only choice. He was going to meet her for the first time, and my nerves were on edge.

I swear I could strangle him for putting us through this. I never imagined he’d take it this far, and that was my first mistake.

Julian always got what he wanted. Especially when it came to me.

I anxiously waited in my seat, trying to play it off like I wasn’t losing my shit.

“You need to relax.”

“You need to go to Hell.”

He chuckled. “You’re going to have to reel in that feisty attitude once we’re around Capri. You don’t want her to think her mommy hates her daddy, do you?”

I glared at him. “I swear you’re enjoying this.”

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t.”

“You actually think this is going to go over well, don’t you?”

“I’m going to try like hell to make sure it does. There’s nothing I can’t give her. Either of you.”

“That’s your answer to everything. Money can’t buy love, Julian.”

“You’re right, but you loved me when I had nothing. Now I can offer you the world if you want it.”

“I don’t need the world.”

“Then what do you need, Autumn?”

“I don’t need anything. Especially from you.”

“At some point you’re going to have to forgive me, kid.”

“I was starting to, but you fucked it all up again by making us move in with you. But it’s what you do best. You always fuck things up in my life.”

“I don’t regret getting you pregnant, and if you’d let me, I’d do it again.”

“Stop! Stop saying shit like that to me. If you say stuff like that in front of Capri she’s going to—”

“Get the happy family I’m sure she’s dreamed about with two parents who love each other and want the best for her?”

“I don’t love you, Julian. How many more times do I have to say it for you to believe me?”

“I’m not the one who needs to believe it.”

“Oh, that’s rich.”

“You might hate me, kid, but you also still love me. It’s a very thin line, you and I.”

“If you break Capri’s heart like you broke mine, I’ll take you for everything you’re worth.”

“You don’t have to worry about me breaking anyone’s heart, Autumn. It’s you who holds that power now.”

“You know what?”

“What, baby?”

“I fucking hate you.”

“Great.” He deviously smiled. “Now say it again until you believe it.”

“We’re done talking now.” With that, I stood and walked into the back. Trying to find the bathroom, instead I found a bedroom. “Awesome, I wonder how many times he’s joined the mile-high club?”

“I haven’t.”

He was standing behind me, and I could feel his heat searing into my body.

“Want to make me a member?”

I couldn’t take it anymore—it was all too much to take. I felt as if I was that eighteen-year-old girl all over again, completely at his mercy. I snapped. Spinning around, I went for him. Hitting him on his chest. “I can’t believe you’re doing this to me! I hate you! Do you hear me, Julian? I fucking hate you!”

“That’s enough!”

“Fuck you!”

He gripped onto my wrist, and in three strides I was on my back with him hovering above me on the bed.