Filthy Beast(120)

I shrug. “What else would I call you?”

“Illegitimate baby momma,” she says.

I grin. “You’re that, too.”

She squeezes my hand and suddenly she seems less nervous.

We head down the hall and I can’t help but look around. The apartment looks like it was decorated at the turn of the century. Old oil paintings cover the walls, and priceless statues sit on pure marble pedestals. It’s a far cry from the place where I grew up. I can’t even imagine living in this apartment. It’s more like a museum than a home.

We pass a few other doors and other staff members before finally stopping outside a pair of big double doors.

“Dad’s study,” she says. “You ready?”

I nod. “I’m ready. Are you?”

“Nope,” she says, and she pushes open the doors.

Hans Tillman, Sadie’s father, is a severe man. I don’t know any other way to describe him. He has thinning blond hair turning gray, which makes it look almost white. His light blue eyes turn instantly onto his daughter but no smile or any outward sign of recognition flashes across his face.

If I didn’t know any better, I’d think he was looking at a stranger.

“Hello, Sadie,” he says. “I was hoping you’d come alone.”

“I needed Gavin to be here for this,” she says.

Tillman raises an eyebrow. “For this? I assumed you were just coming home to apologize for running off with that man.” He doesn’t even bother to look at me.

“Father, this is important. Is mother home?”

He shrugs. “She’s here somewhere.”

“Can you call her? It’s important.”

He looks at her for a second before pushing a button. “Thomas, bring Regina down here, please.”

We stand there in an awkward silence. Tillman turns back to whatever he was doing on his computer. I glance at Sadie and she rolls her eyes. She’s probably used to these stupid little power games.

Regina Tillman appears moments later. She sweeps into the room and instantly goes to stand next to her husband. Unlike Hans, Regina glares at me, openly hostile and not trying to hide it.

“Mother, father,” Sadie says. “I have something important to say.”

Regina glares at me. “Does he need to be here?”

“Apparently so,” Hans says. “Regina, please. Let the girl speak.”

Sadie clears her throat. “I don’t know how else to say it, so I’ll just say it. I’m pregnant, and Gavin is the father.”

A stunned silence falls across the room. Her father doesn’t react, but her mother’s face contorts into a mixture of agony and pure anger.

“How could you?” she hisses. “With this, this, low-class trash?” Her mother looks like she might pass out from rage.

“It just happened,” Sadie says. “And I’m keeping the baby. I just wanted you two to understand why I left.”

“I’m going to support her,” I say. “And the baby.”

Regina Tillman’s gaze falls upon me and I can tell she wants my head to explode. “Do not speak, you gutter rat,” she says.

I smirk at her. Hans puts a hand on his wife’s back. “Regina, please,” Hans says. “Calm yourself.” He turns back to Sadie. “Are you certain this is what you want?” he asks.

She nods once. “I’m sure.”

Hans sighs. “You stupid little girl,” he says.

I clench my fists. I can handle them insulting me, but I can’t take it when they talk to her that way.

“I’ve given you everything,” Hans continues. “I expected only a modicum of loyalty and some poise. Instead, you’re unwed and pregnant by some upstart rat nearly twice your age.” Hans shakes his head. “I am disappointed in you, Sadie. I always thought you were a pathetic little girl, but now I see that you’re stupid as well.”

“Don’t talk to her that way,” I say, unable to stop myself. “You pompous ass.”

His gaze turns to me and a smile spreads across his face. “How’s business, Gavin?”

I keep myself calm as Sadie looks at me, horrified. “Business is fine, Hans.”

“Good, good,” he says. “I wouldn’t want it to get bad for you.”

“Threats won’t work,” I say to him softly. “I’m respecting Sadie, something you’ve never done. This is her choice.”

“Her choice?” Hans barks a single laugh. “She’s a child, Gavin. She’s too stupid to know what’s best for her. I want her to marry someone appropriate who can take care of her and give her what she needs, someone with good breeding so that her children may also be quality people. But you? You’re just trash. And your child will be trash as well.”