Stranded(55)
“How? Does she want you back?” India asked, scared to hear the answer.
“Even if she did, that bitch wouldn’t have a chance. No, what she wants is money. A lot of it.”
“But if you’re already divorced and she’s received her settlement, then what’s the problem?”
Rafe snorted. “I think I’ve already told you she has a cash register where her heart should be.”
From what they’d told her about Rafe’s ex-wife, she sounded like a nasty piece of work. India hoped they never met because she would probably give the woman a much deserved punch in the face. “Has she filed a motion in court? It’s a long shot for her if she wants more money after signing the papers, but it’s not unheard of. Is that what’s happening?”
“No. She’s not that smart, besides, if she did, Angie wouldn’t get one red cent. Anyway, what use is the court to her when she’s basically got us by the balls anyway?”
A chill crept into her system. “What do you mean?”
Rafe told her the details about his meeting with Angie. By the time he was finished relaying his story, she not only wanted to punch that heffa in the face, India wanted to administer an old school beat down.
“That’s extortion! She can’t do that.”
“But she’s doing it,” Grant joined in the conversation.
“But it’s not fair that she should demand money from the both of you.”
Rafe stood up to pace the room. “I know this, but the woman is warped. I think this is her way to not only extract money from us, but get revenge. She didn’t want the divorce. Angie’s the kind of women who wants to be the ender of the relationship instead of the other way around. Obviously we didn’t end on good terms and I had a few choice words for her she didn’t appreciate.”
India didn’t quite know what to say. To have their relationship exposed to the world and possibly picked apart was her worst fear. India wasn’t sure if she’d be able to handle the scrutiny, but she wouldn’t stand by and let this woman get away with such a dirty trick. She’d rather take the heat from the public than allow that to happen.
“You can’t give in to her demands. She’ll keep coming back for money whenever she thinks she can get something out of you. I won’t let you do it.” She got off the bed, walked over to Rafe and cupped his face. “Don’t do this out of some misguided attempt to protect me.”
“India.” Grant came up behind her and turned her to face him. “She’s threatening to reveal the details of our marriage, and knowing her, she’s not above embellishing details. Once that information is out, people will begin to speculate about the three of us.”
“People are speculating about us now. Look at that woman in the restaurant. Hers isn’t the first innuendo I’ve dealt with.”
Grant brushed her cheek with his knuckles. “Innuendo is one thing. But once Angie tells her tale, there will be more than pure speculation.”
“I don’t like the sound of this.”
“What choice is there?” Rafe asked, his voice dripping with frustration.
“There’s always a choice and you should choose not to give in to her blackmail.”
“India, our minds are made up,” Grant said with finality.
She put some distance between herself and them, needing to think. Plopping on the bed, India wondered again if she was strong enough to handle being with both of them in a lasting relationship.
“Your minds are made up, but shouldn’t I have a say in this matter as well?”
Grant joined her on the bed and put his arm around her. “Which is why it has to be done. If it only affected me and Rafe, her threats wouldn’t amount to shit, but realizing your concerns, we can’t risk you getting hurt.”
“Even if she did go to the media with details of her marriage to Rafe, the only news outfits who would be interested in a story like that would be the tabloids, and no one takes those seriously. Like Rafe said, people will soon lose interest in who we are.”
Rafe shook his head. “It’s still not a chance we’re willing to take. Look, the only reason I brought this up in the first place was to give you a word of warning in case she somehow gets your information and contacts you. It may sound far-fetched, but I wouldn’t put anything past her.”
“Well, since you two are so determined to be my saviors, I guess there’s nothing really left to say.”
Rafe walked over to the bed and sat on the other side of her. He ran his hand along her bare thigh. “There may be nothing left to say, but there is plenty left for us to do.” He leaned over and gave her a kiss on the neck.