“And that’s more important than your family legacy?” His father sounded horrified.
“Frankly, yes. The clinic is in a depressed area of the city, and my friend and fellow doctor Braden Prescott and I have a plan to remodel the place, invest in state-of-the-art equipment, and treat people who don’t otherwise have access to care.”
His father narrowed his gaze. “And you’re here because you want access to your trust fund, I presume?”
Hudson nodded. “I do. I think your father would like that his money was going for a good cause.”
The deep sigh echoed around the room as his father steepled his fingers together in thought. Tense silence passed, and Hudson did his best not to tap his foot impatiently or otherwise rush Martin’s thinking process despite his own nerves being on edge. The sound of a clock ticking added to his stress.
“I’ll tell you what. I have a proposition for you. A quid pro quo.”
Wary now, Hudson clenched his jaw and indicated his agreement to listen with a curt nod.
A pleased smile lifted his father’s lips, and Hudson knew he wasn’t going to like the proposal. He steeled himself to hear it, certain his father was going to somehow force him to return home and work the business in exchange for the clinic money. In which case he wouldn’t be there to see his dream come to life, but the people he’d come to know would have access to everything they needed. But he was getting ahead of himself, and he forced his heart rate to calm as he waited.
His father straightened his posture as he said, “I’ll give you the money for your little health care center if you marry and provide your mother and me with an heir.”
That idea hadn’t even been on Hudson’s radar. “What century is this?” he asked, his tone rising.
“Lower your voice. I don’t want your mother running in here and interrupting us. Think about it. Your brother is gone, ruining any chances we have of a grandchild, and your mother is distraught about it. The family name needs to live on, and you’re the only one who can make that happen.”
Hudson rubbed a hand over his eyes before meeting his father’s gaze. “What else?” he asked, certain he hadn’t heard everything.
“You’re a smart man, son. And if I thought for a moment I could force your hand and get you to come home and take over the business, I would. But I know damned well you’d turn me down no matter the consequences.”
His father studied him with a hint of… It couldn’t be pride Hudson saw. But he was acknowledging Hudson’s dedication to his career.
“You’re right. So what is the catch?” As he asked, the answer dawned on him and his entire body stiffened. “I am not marrying Corinne,” he said, just as adamant about that as he was about staying in Florida.
His father let out a low chuckle. “I realized that as well.”
In other words, in the short time since Hudson had asked for the money, his astute father had sifted through all the possible blackmail options and come up with the only one he knew Hudson might agree to.
“You really are a piece of work,” he muttered, his gaze settling on one of the expensive paintings on the wall in the office.
Martin Northfield shrugged. “I didn’t keep us where we are in life by being stupid.” He set his hands on the armrests and pushed himself up from his seat. “So those are my terms. Let me know what you decide. Have a good flight back to Florida,” he said and walked out of the room, leaving Hudson alone with the bomb he’d dropped in his lap.
He rested his head against the back of the chair and groaned. Marriage. The idea itself wasn’t the problem. He and Bri had laughed about it enough over the weekend, and she hadn’t freaked out at the idea. His gut told him she definitely wanted to get married and have children one day with the right man. A man who wanted to marry her because he loved her and for no other reason.
Not twelve hours ago, she’d been in his arms and uttered the very words that put up a roadblock to him asking her now.
You’re the first person to see past my family. The only guy who is with me for me. You don’t want or need anything from me, and I appreciate that more than you know.
She wouldn’t appreciate it if he asked her to marry him so he could get access to the money to fund the clinic. Not at all.
If he told her what happened here today, she might offer to marry him in order to help him achieve his goal, but then she’d never know that he was marrying her because he loved her.