Owned by the Bad Boy(43)
“What?”
She grasps the piece of paper and I read over her shoulder.
“I’m building a case against this piece of shit you’re calling your fiancé.”
“Bring it on, asshole.”
His eyes widen at her. “If you don’t testify against him, you’ll be arrested for obstruction of justice, and your son will be taken away from you.”
My hands are on his chest before he utters another word.
“Luc, don’t!”
The cop’s back slams against the door, my fists balled in his jacket. “Stay the fuck away from my family!”
“He’s a cop, don’t!”
The blockheaded piece of shit turns me around and slams me against the door, yanking my arms behind my back. “You’re under arrest for assaulting an officer.”
“You’re not taking away my kid!”
“I can, and I will.”
“That’s impossible! He’s the father!”
“He’s not even on the birth certificate. You have no rights,” he snarls in my ear.
Horror clutches my heart as I can’t help but seek out Claire. “You didn’t put my name?”
The tears running down her cheeks tell me everything I need to know. “I couldn’t risk anyone finding out—Luc, I’m sorry!”
Jesus Christ.
Boucher shoves me through the doorway into the brilliant sunshine, and I hear my son’s voice rise into a wail.
* * *
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”
Johnny stops in the middle of the sidewalk, his bodyguards falling behind him as he stares after me.
I ball my hands into fists. Twenty-four hours in a cell didn’t go over very well.
Claire takes my hand, squeezing hard.
“That fucking cop came to my house, threatening to take my son away from me.”
“I told you, you fucking moron, it’s bullshit. He’s just trying to get you arrested, and you fell for it.”
“What about the subpoena? What about the fact that I’m not even on my kid’s fucking birth certificate?”
Johnny sends Claire a look filled with disgust. “That could be a problem. He needs to be added to it right away.”
Boucher’s threats echo in my ears. “He needs to die.”
“I told you, no. I’m going to see if I can dig up any dirt on this guy. In the meantime, you guys need to get married.”
Claire’s hand slips in mine. “What?”
“Married couples can’t testify,” I explain to her.
She bites her lip, her hand trembling in mine. Johnny frowns at her reluctance.
“You do want to keep your baby’s father out of jail, don’t you?”
“Of course I do.”
“Then you’ll get married. And fast.”
Another steely glare flashes in my direction, and he slides into his car, slamming the door shut.
I walk away from him as the engine roars to life, and then I grasp the cool handle of my car and yank open the passenger door. Claire tucks Étienne in the seat as I sit back in the leather, thinking.
“I think he’s right, Claire.”
I hazard a glance at her. She crosses her arms over her chest. It couldn’t be plainer that she doesn’t want this.
“I think I get why he’s so obsessed over you.”
My fingers grasp her chin, and she gives me a weak smile. “He says I remind him of his ex-wife.”
“Fuck him.”
Her eyes shine with tears. “I’m worried. This is going a lot further than I thought it would.”
“I won’t let him hurt our family. I don’t give a shit what John says. If touches you, he’s dead.”
“What if he’s right? What if you’re in jail?”
“Let me worry about all that. I just need you to do one thing.”
My hands tighten on the steering wheel.
“What?”
“Could you call my parents for me? Ask them to come to our wedding? I think they’re more likely to come if you ask them.”
Étienne makes a babbling noise, cutting through the sudden lapse of silence.
“Of course.”
I reach across the divider and link my hand with hers.
* * *
To have, to hold, to own her body and fuck her until she’s numb. It’s the big day, and Claire somehow sweet-talked my mom into coming. She’ll take care of the baby during the wedding, and after.
I have big plans for what happens after the wedding.
I watch as a shit-eating grin spreads across my face in the mirror. Then Mom’s face pops into the bathroom.
“What are you smiling about?”
A graphic reel runs through my head, and I grin harder. “I’m just happy.” I adjust my tie. “She makes me happy.”