Bad Boy (Invertary 5)

Everyone quietened, their attention on her. She took a deep breath, aware Flynn stood silently behind her, offering his strength.

“Enough,” she said to Millicent. “This is my home and it’s past time you left.”

“I will not be moved until this matter is settled,” Millicent said. “I will not leave until you understand the child belongs to the Montgomery-Clarks.”

“If you don’t leave, I’ll call the police and have you removed. Better yet, I’ll have Flynn pick you up and toss you out like rubbish for the camera crews to film.”

“You wouldn’t—”

Abby cut her mother’s bluster off. “I have had enough of you. I have had enough of your vile and nasty manipulations. Of your threats and selfishness. Of your cruel behaviour. If you want to take me to court, take me. I will turn it into the biggest media circus you have ever seen. Flynn here will help me to set up interviews with everyone he knows. In fact, I expect he wouldn’t mind lending his notoriety to a campaign to drag your good name through every muddy field in England.”

“I’d enjoy every minute,” Flynn said.

Millicent’s face paled but her shark-like eyes were still determined. “You will bankrupt yourself paying for legal counsel. Is that what you want? For you and the child?”

“She won’t bankrupt herself,” Lawrence said. “I’ll take the case and run with it for free.”

“And how will you live while you’re fighting me? There won’t be any time to work. You’ll be out of house and home within months.”

“No she won’t. She can have my money,” Flynn said. “I’m not doing anything with it anyway.”

“Flynn, you can’t...” Abby whispered.

He shrugged. “I’m behind you, sugar. Whatever it takes to make this go away. It’s only money.” He smiled at her, a soft, intimate caress of a smile. “Don’t stop now. You’re kicking ass.”

Abby smiled back at him before turning to her unwanted guests. “I don’t need to explain anything to you. All you need to know is this—if you start a war, we will wage a war. I will fight you until my last breath. I will do everything within my power to ruin your name.” She scoffed. “Now isn’t that interesting? Turns out I am a Montgomery-Clark after all, because when it comes to getting what I want, I will not lie down until you are ruined and bloody. Doesn’t that sound familiar, Mother?”

Abby didn’t wait for an answer—she looked at Millicent’s new lawyer. “Leave. Now.”

The man bustled and flushed, but he headed for the door. Abby looked at Charles, who was still staring at his feet.

“Charles, take your mother and get out.”

His head came up slowly. There was nothing but blank acceptance in his eyes.

“Let’s go, Mother,” Charles said, his first words since entering the house.

Millicent stood, her back straight, her air regal. “You’ll regret this, Abigail.” With one last glare, she swept out of the door.

The air in the room eased as Flynn pulled Abby into his arms.

“You were amazing.” He held her tight.

“She’ll still fight,” Abby said into his chest.

“Probably. She’s a vindictive old witch. But we’ll fight back.”

Abby let her head fall back to look at him. “It isn’t your fight. You don’t have to do this. I can’t take your money, Flynn.”

Flynn rolled his eyes. “Daft girl. If it’s your fight, it’s my fight. I can’t let them take the terrorist from us. Not when I’m on a roll with her education. Anyway, I invested in Harry’s company when he first started out. He made a mint. He can always make more if we need it.”

Abby felt her bottom lip tremble as she looked at all the things left unsaid in his eyes.

“You love me,” she said with absolute conviction.

And Flynn Boyle, bad boy of soccer, actually blushed. “Aye, but don’t rub it in.”

“You love me.” Abby grinned. “Your head must be spinning. Bet you never thought it was possible to love someone other than yourself.”