Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 78807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
She’s going to be my priority from now on.
Not my family, not my clubs, and not my own ego.
Businesses rise and fall, but Dara and my child will be with me for the rest of my life.
And they have to take precedent over anything else.
It burns me to agree to these terms. The thought of giving this man my livelihood makes me want to be sick. Not to mention Genna’s going to murder me, or she’s going to try at least once.
It makes me want to beat McLaren within an inch of his life.
But instead, I think of Dara. I think of her pregnant, giving birth, the baby, everything we’ll go through together.
I think of my men, and even Genna. It’s better to lose some clubs than to lose absolutely everything.
Slowly, I nod my head, clenching my jaw so tight I think I might crack a tooth.
“Wonderful,” Robin says, sounding much too happy. “Since we’re all in agreement, let’s make it official.” She grabs a piece of paper and a pen from her father’s desk and begins to write out a contract. “I’ll keep it simple since I don’t feel like being here all day doing this thing longhand.”
“My daughter has legal training,” Clive says proudly.
I don’t give a fuck.
I say nothing, not trusting myself to speak.
Robin finishes with a flourish, passes it to her father for a cursory inspection, and he signs. She then gives it to me.
I read through the terms, feeling like ants are crawling through my veins, but the contract is fair and accurate to what we just discussed. Hazard, plus two more clubs of my choosing, and a restaurant at least four years old and profitable. I know just the one.
I sign and shove the paper back at her.
Robin accepts.
“There, we’re all set. So now, Dad, I’ll get to work planning your birthday with Finn—”
“I’m not planning anything,” I say with a snarl.
“It’s your club we’re using,” she reminds me brightly before looking back at her father. “If you need anything, you can run it through me, but don’t worry. I know exactly who to invite.”
Clive stands and comes around his desk. He hugs his daughter and kisses her cheek. “It’s going to be the best birthday ever,” he says, glowing with pride.
“I hope so.” She pats his back. “Now, we’ll leave you to your little swords. I’m so happy we could come to this agreement.” With that, Robin sweeps me out of his office and back out into the entry hall.
I turn on her, barely restraining my anger. “You could’ve warned me you were going to do that.”
“And give you the chance to say no? Sorry, but I couldn’t risk it. I knew he’d like that solution, and I knew you’d hate it, which is why I said nothing until you were standing face to face.”
“Are you sure this is going to be enough? Your father’s actually going to let his little grudge go if I hand over some properties?”
“Lucrative properties,” she points out, “and yes, I believe he will. My father’s been trying to get into your industry for a long time. If there’s one thing he loves more than his own pride, it’s winning at business, and I’d say that deal in there was a massive win.”
I turn to the door, burning with anger, but I hold it back, reminding myself that Robin’s saving me a lot of time and trouble. Money, property, none of it fucking matters. Not even the face I’ll lose handing it over to him in public.
This is about Dara. This is about the baby.
“Send word to my staff at the Hazard. They’ll get the process started.”
“Ah, uh, bad news on that front. His birthday is next week.”
I let out a grunt. “Of course it is.”
“Cheer up, it’ll be fun. I, you, and maybe your wife can all work together to make this happen.”
I rub my forehead. “I can’t wait.”
“That’s the spirit.” She slaps my back. “Anyway, talk to you soon, all right? I’d better go make copies of this contract before Daddy dearest decides he wants to fleece you for more.” She disappears down the hall, leaving me alone.
I hesitate before opening the door. Giving up property isn’t the end of the world, and I’ll survive the hit to my ego.
I just hope Genna doesn’t kill me when she finds out.
Chapter 33
Dara
“I am going to rip your stupid little face off,” Genna snarls at Finn. She leaps up from her spot at the bar of Hazard and actually tries to punch him in the face. He dodges back, slapping her fist to the side.
“It was the only way,” he says, glaring at her. “Don’t get started on me, damn it. We’ll find a new club.”
“Do they always do this?” I ask the bartender as he busies himself cutting limes.