“I was surprised, that’s all,” Kyle said.
“Surprise doesn’t make someone cruel, and trust me, you don’t get to be in my child’s life,” Mya said.
“But you’re planning to let Ethan Tremaine raise my kid.” Kyle laughed rudely. “I must admit you played that game well. Get me to knock you up and slide right in with the Tremaines.”
“Is that it?” Mya asked. “You saw me on TV and now think you can get in on some kind of action? Sorry, Kyle, but I don’t play that way. Those papers are binding and valid, and like my lawyer told me, it will hold up in any court of law.”
“What about the publicity when I tell the newspapers how you got pregnant by me and used Ethan Tremaine?” Kyle asked coldly. “Don’t mess with me, Mya. Back out of that relationship, and let me be part of my kid’s life. You want me to go away, it will cost you, and it will be a large amount of cash, baby.”
“First, I don’t respond well to threats, and neither does Ethan. It will be he said, she said. Second, this is the guy you work for, and trust me, after I tell him about this, I’m sure he’ll be reviewing your work very closely,” Mya said. “Two sides of the coin, Kyle. Try me, and see who comes out on top. Think on that.”
She hung up and threw the phone down in anger. Man, they were coming from all around since the news came out about her and Ethan. Mya frowned. She knew Kyle’s personality. He was out for himself, and asking about the baby wasn’t his style. He could push for a paternity test, but still, the judge would rule in her favor since he signed the papers willingly. He was a big man compared to her, and she certainly didn’t force him. Still, at Ethan’s special dinner, she’d have to tell him what Kyle threatened so he had enough information to be armed with. Could he lose everything if it was found out the baby wasn’t his? Could the board of trustees be so vile to use that against the man who had given them so much success? It was getting more complicated by the second. Nothing came easy to her in this world, so why would this situation be any different?
* * * *
“How does it taste?”
Mya looked up and saw the hopeful expression on Ethan’s face.
“It’s quite delicious, thank you,” she said with a smile. “Why do I feel as if I’d said no, you’d be crushed?”
He grinned. “Because I would’ve been. My ego is fragile.”
She rolled her eyes at him. “I’m sure it is…not.”
“I swear, you have the wrong impression of me. I’m a sweet and lovable teddy bear.” Ethan took a bite of his meal. “You’re right, I did a pretty good job.”
Mya shook her head. “You are incorrigible, that’s what you are.” She hesitated and then spoke again. “Kyle called my cell.”
Ethan’s eyes narrowed. “What did he want?”
“He said he wants to be in the baby’s life, but that’s bullshit. He wants money, plain and simple. He threatened to expose us if we don’t give him a large sum of cash. The thing is, Kyle is an egotistical prick, and a baby would never fit into his world. I never thought he’d be this money hungry, especially since the baby will be mixed race, and his parents are the uppity kind who want him to marry a sweet Jewish girl. I would’ve never fit the mold, so he signed over his paternal rights quickly.”
“So maybe it’s the notoriety he’s looking for. Bring Ethan Tremaine down or soil the family name?” Ethan asked.
“That may be, but still, he liked his job and always talked about moving up in this company,” Mya said. “Something doesn’t fit.”
Ethan covered her hands with his. “Don’t worry. I’ll get to the bottom of it. Needless to say, he will not be holding me over a barrel and shaking my pockets for what he can get.”
“I’m worried. What if he causes enough of a stir the board of trustees challenge the will? Can they make it difficult for you and Easton?” Mya asked.
“I doubt they will. They sit on the board. Clients sign on and work with us because Easton and myself run the show. We keep the income coming in, and they get their share, they’ll be happy.” Ethan was idly running his fingers over her soft skin. “But to make sure we have no problems, I’ll deal with Kyle on Monday. I have someone I can call about the problem.”
“If you’re sure…Maybe I can talk…” Mya began.
Ethan lifted her fingers to his lips and kissed the tips. “No, you are not to be stressed in any way, shape, or form. I’ll deal with it. Now eat before dinner gets cold. Let’s give the little one a yummy meal.”