The Terms_ Part One(5)
I swallow, my throat further parched from the burning gaze I feel on me. “There are more terms you must agree to, an intimate one in particular, but we’ll save that conversation for a later date.”
What the hell? Does he think I’m going to be some kind of sex slave?
“Don’t touch me.” Jerking free, I huff and fling my head back against the seat. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
“You caused this. My brother had many less-than-desirable traits, but regardless, he deserved to be a part of his child’s life. Maybe he’d be alive today had he known of Liam’s existence.”
I cross my arms and glare at him.
“Tony hated you.”
“Your words can’t hurt me. I don’t feel things the way other people do.”
“That’s evident.”
“Get out of my car. A moving company will be arriving in two weeks to pack up your things. In the meantime, I advise that you separate what you’d like to keep with you, seeing as how the rest is going into storage.”
Shoving the door open, I step out. “Oh, and, Ms. Rose, since we both know you’re a runner, it’s important I state that you better stay put. If not, I will find you and remove Liam from your custody. With the luxury of a laptop, I can give you any identity I choose. You’ve been warned.”
“For the record, I hate you, too!” Slamming the door, I stand in the cold air and cry. The car drives away, and my head hangs in defeat. There is no way out for my sweet child and me. I’ll never forgive myself for getting involved with Tony Burke.
CHAPTER THREE
Camilla
Through my nose, I suck in a breath to stop it from running. Tears are still falling to my coat, and I’m trembling as I approach my ground-floor apartment.
The rock music playing inside can be heard at the door, so I assume Sasha is still up. I step inside and oh, hell no. A guy I’ve never seen before is in my recliner, and a jerk Sasha used to date is cozy next to her on the couch. The place reeks of weed, too.
“Out! Out of my apartment now.” The unfamiliar male stands and looks to me, but Rusty and Sasha don’t seem to have a care in the world.
She shrugs. “Her house, her rules.” She can hardly hold her eyelids open, and I picture myself throwing a glass of water in her face. I’m furious.
Rusty gives her a disgusting, sloppy kiss, and as he and the strange guy approach me, he grimaces.
“We’re back together, so you better get used to me being around.”
“Says the loser who’s standing in the apartment I pay for. Don’t show your face here again.”
“Sis!” Sasha yells.
“You better watch it, lady. You do not want to piss me off,” he threatens before going out the door. Once I’ve slammed it shut, I remove my coat and boots and turn off the old stereo sitting on my small entertainment center.
“Did you hear him? Are you trying to get us hurt?”
Her hand waves toward me. “He doesn’t mean it.”
“I was adamant that you were to have no one in this apartment. I also made it crystal clear that you were never to bring drugs here or get back with Rusty.”
Scowling, she tucks her caramel-colored hair behind her ear.
“It’s only pot, and you can’t stop me from dating someone.”
“Your behavior could cause me to lose Liam. You can’t begin to comprehend the weight of stress on me to keep us safe and afloat.” The next thing I know, I’m sobbing again. Plopping down on my couch, I bury my face in my hands.
“Damn, sis. What happened to you?” I feel the cushions sink in as she moves closer. She rubs my back, and I wish that after all the support I’ve shown her over the years, she could save me from this nightmare, but I know better. Falling back, I stare up at the ceiling.
“You know how I told you Liam’s father died?”
“Yeah.”
“I did a stupid, stupid thing. I went to the funeral home to put a photo of Liam in his casket. His brother saw me and did his research. He knows who I really am–who you are, and he’s blackmailing me.”
“Oh, shit. What does he want?”
“He’s demanding that Liam be raised in his home, and he wants me to live there, too. I don’t know all the details, but he’s forcing me to quit my job and move in with him.”
“Where the hell will I go?”
Turning my head, I glare at her.
“That would be your first thought.”
“I’m sorry,” she utters. Her gaze shifts to the carpet, and she bites her lip.
“I’m going to use my savings to pay for the apartment. You can stay here, but not for long, Sasha. Three months tops, and I mean it this time.