The Taming of Xander Sterne(71)

                ‘Not quite, I believe my parents had been married for almost seven months when my twin and I were born,’ Xander interrupted dismissively.

                ‘I meant figuratively not literally.’

                ‘Okay, I’ll start this conversation, if you won’t.’ Xander stared at the other man coldly. ‘For the past week you have been experiencing difficulties, in obtaining a business loan from a certain bank, I believe.’

                The older man surged angrily to his feet. ‘Are you saying you’re responsible for that too?’

                Xander gave Samantha a rueful glance. ‘I thought you said he was intelligent?’

                She shrugged. ‘I believed he was.’

                ‘Obviously you were wrong.’ Xander smiled. ‘So, let’s just cut to the chase, shall we, Howard? My lawyer has already drawn up a contract, which you will go to his office and sign on Monday morning, which declares that you agree to give Samantha the divorce settlement of one million pounds that you should have given her three years ago, as well as giving up all and any claim to Daisy, with the added agreement that you will make no attempt to see either one of them ever again.’

                ‘Are you completely insane?’ Howard laughed incredulously.

                It was everything Sam wanted, of course—except the million pounds. She didn’t want anything for herself, least of all Malcolm’s money. All she wanted was the freedom to know that she need never again fear Malcolm making any sort of claim on Daisy.

                But she wasn’t stupid enough to turn the money down either if it was given, knew that with a million pounds she would be able to put most of the money into trust for Daisy, and that the rest would allow her to raise her daughter without worrying where every penny came from.

                Was Xander really capable of intimidating Malcolm into agreeing to sign such a one-sided contract? One look at the cold determination in his face was enough to answer that.

                ‘I really should listen to Xander if I were you, Malcolm.’

                ‘Do you think I give a damn about the opinion of a little nonentity like you?’ Malcolm turned on Sam sneeringly. ‘You might be feeling all brave and fearless right now, but let’s just wait and see how brave you’re feeling once Sterne gets bored with you and kicks you out of his bed.’ Malcolm seemed to flinch then as Xander stepped forward threateningly.

                Control it, Xander told himself as he came to a halt just inches away from the other man. Keep it together. Don’t do this. Don’t let this man bait you into doing something you’ll regret.

                Especially don’t lose it in front of Samantha.

                That would surely be unforgivable when she continued to look at him so trustingly.

                His eyes glittered down at the other man in warning. ‘Maybe you should consider putting some respect in your tone when you talk to Samantha?’

                The older man gave a snort. ‘Why should it matter to you how I talk to her?’

                ‘All you need to know is that it does,’ Xander stated coldly.

                ‘And maybe you should stop giving her the false hope that you actually care?’ Howard scoffed. ‘Okay, so you’re enjoying playing the part of the White Knight right now, but we both know she’s just an amusement to you, a pretty toy to warm your bed for a while. But only until you get bored with her and move on to the next conquest.’