“Ha! Fat chance of that happening. I don’t want him anywhere near your diabolical family.”
My chin is clenched by his strong fingers. He turns my head toward him and leans in. Even in the dim light, his eyes are vivid, alluring like the rest of him, and I’m pissed with myself for finding him attractive.
My gaze shifts to the partition, and I wish the driver could hear and see this, but would he even help me?
“Listen to me. On account of your deceit, and the circumstances you’ve created, I have terms you’re going to follow. If you don’t agree to those terms, then I will take your son away. It would be easy to do once a judge heard the details of your sordid life.
“First, you’ll have failed your drug test, which I can have happen with a few keystrokes. On top of that, you’re a washed-up dancer turned bartender, have a strung-out sister crashing in your atrocious apartment, and well, I don’t have to explain to you the shit I could cause with a phone call to your parents.
“I can see it in the papers now. ‘Many years later, the mystery is solved as to the disappearance of Clarissa Rosenthal and her sister, Sasha.’ ” Holding his hands up, he spreads them out. “The word ‘kidnapping’ would be in bold as the headline.”
Tears well up in my eyes, and my lower lip quivers.
“Tony was right; you’re evil.”
His fingers grip my chin and press harder this time.
“I knew he’d cause me grief from the grave. You and Tony Jr. are interruptions I don’t need, but my parents deserve to know their only grandchild.
“For that reason, I’ll allow this situation to disrupt my world. Besides, it will be good to have another male to carry on the family name.”
“Please, leave us be. Let me raise Liam. I promise I’m a good mother. I struggle financially, but he’s always cared for and loved.”
Desperation tips the scale, and my lukewarm tears tumble to my cool cheeks. Looking away, Ellis clears his throat and releases my chin.
“Money, right… I recommend you change the password to your bank account to something more challenging. It was quite easy to empty that miniscule nest egg of yours.”
From my dry throat, a sob emerges. He’s going to take Liam away and leave me homeless. I have no choice but to play by his rules, so I cough from my cry and suck in short breaths, attempting to collect my dignity. Sniffling, I pull a tissue from my purse and wipe my eyes.
“OK, I’ll do whatever you want. Please, please, don’t take my child from me.”
Snaking his fingers through my hair, his thumb skims along my cheekbone, wiping away the tears. He moves closer, his sultry breath inches from mine, and his eyes roam my face as if he’s admiring a gallery painting.
“There’s no need to cry. If you’re open to this, your life will be easier–better even. Do exactly as I say, and you won’t lose Liam.”
I should shove him away. Spit in his face. Anything other than what I’m doing, which is leaning into his hand at my cheek to savor his touch.
I’m emotionally fucked in the head, always finding myself attracted to the villain instead of someone nice, like my friend Christopher, for instance.
As if Ellis feels something, too, he withdraws his hand.
“First, you’re going to quit your job.”
“What? That’s crazy. I have to work.”
“Liam is a Burke. His mother is not going to be employed at a strip club. Instead, you can finish earning that worthless degree you’ve been working toward for years.”
“There’s nothing worthless about public service.”
An eye roll confirms his smugness.
“Then, in two weeks, you’ll move into my home. It’s over 15,000 square feet, so there’s plenty of room. You’ll like it. It’s much nicer than that dwelling you’re in now.”
“I can’t live with you. I don’t even know you, Liam will be scared, and I can’t give up my place. My sister has nowhere else to go.”
“Do as I say, and I’ll return your money. You can use it to keep your apartment.”
“If I’m not working, I’ll burn through that money in no time.”
“We’ll cross that bridge when the time comes. I’m also hiring a nanny to help with Liam’s care. He’ll have a tutor, as well.”
“A tutor? He’s three, Ellis, and I have an amazing sitter. Liam adores her.” My chin is grasped once more but gently this time. His thumb grazes across my bottom lip as he eyes it intently.
“Although it’s pointless for you to challenge me, I’m surprised by how much I like your attempts. I also enjoy hearing my name from these pouty red lips.”