Needing You Close (Ex-Con Duet 2)

“You don’t know him like I do, Daddy. He’s a monster. Movers are emptying the cottage as we speak because he’s forcing me to live with him. If I don’t, he’ll take everything.”

“Gemma, you listen to me,” he says sternly. “If he takes the land and the house, so be it. I won’t trade any of this for your happiness.”

My mother’s cottage is everything to me, and it’s all I have left of her. I’ll be damned if I let him take that away from me too.

“I’ll think of something,” I confirm, hoping I actually will. “For now, I’ll play his game and somehow get him to do what I want for once.” Katie had a good idea, but I’m not sure what it will take for him to agree with that either.

We talk for a few more minutes, and when Robert strolls toward my car, I end the call. I gotta put on my game face and not let him think he can push me around.

Opening my door, I step out and wait for him to speak.

“Everything’s packed and loaded on the truck. Follow me back to our house.” He doesn’t give me a chance to respond before he turns and goes to his SUV. My mind goes wild as I try to think of what the hell I’m gonna do.

Once I arrive, I watch as they unload my things and stand numbly as they stack boxes on top of boxes. I want to ask where my mother’s paintings are, but I’m so emotionally drained that I don’t know if I can even speak. Robert looks at me with a shit-eating grin and walks toward me, closing the gap between us. Flinching, I take a step back so he can’t touch me.

The thought that I once allowed him to touch and kiss me makes me sick to my stomach. The way I’d cook him breakfast, clean his house, and bend to his every demand disgusts me. It’s like I’ve woken up and don’t recognize the person he molded me into.

“Well, that’s it. Home sweet home, darling,” he says once the movers leave.

“You had no right to do that without my consent,” I scold.

“Oh, don’t frown. It’s not a good look on you.” He grins like the devil he is. “Don’t worry, you can even have your own room until our wedding night. The invites went out today. We’re getting married in two weeks.”

“And you’ll leave my dad’s house and the cottage alone?”

“Yes. That’s the arrangement. And I am a man of my word, Gemma darling.”

I suck in a harsh breath and glare at him. “Fine,” I agree between clenched teeth. “But I have one condition if you want me to walk down that aisle.”

He tilts his head at me with amusement. “You really think you have a right to negotiate?”

“Unless you want me to go public and ruin your image, then yes, I do. Might be a little awkward if your bride is kicking and screaming down the aisle.”

He scoffs with an eye roll as if I wouldn’t. “Fine, I’ll humor you. What do you want?”

I cross my arms over my chest and stand firm. “After we’re married, you get your lawyer to draft up a deed transfer and sign my father’s property over to me. It legally becomes mine, and this marriage stays purely transactional. I don’t love you, and you clearly don’t love me.”

Robert ponders it as he looks intently at me. “Alright, but I have my own addendums to our agreement then. If I sign it over to you, then you can’t turn around and file for divorce. If you do, I’ll make your life a living hell, and you have no idea what I’m fully capable of. Also, I want a prenup as an extra layer of protection for myself. Also since you so kindly mentioned my image and reputation, you’ll attend all business dinners, events, and you’ll play the part of being my perfect, happy wife.”

I stare at him when it hits me like a ton of bricks.

“Fine,” I concede. “Not a problem.”

Robert takes another step with his infamous victory grin. “See? Wasn’t that easy? We should pop a bottle of champagne to celebrate. Oh, and don’t forget, we’re having a barbecue tonight to formally announce to everyone that we’re back together. Better get ready soon. Don’t want you looking like a cheap, two-dollar whore.”

Grinding my teeth, I glare at the disgusting man in front of me. God, I hate him so much.

“I’ll be in my room until they arrive,” I announce, turning and walking down the hall. At least the spare room is on the second floor and away from him.

“See you soon, my bride-to-be,” he calls with an annoying chuckle, and it causes angry tears to spring to my eyes.

I need to call Tyler. This will break his heart but not nearly as much as it’s already breaking mine. We were so fucking close to finally being together again after loving him for so damn long.