Chapter 12
12
Kristie
I scrub my fist angrily at the tears on my cheeks.
How in the world does Nick Bradley do this to me?
I’m hurt, livid, and terrified all at once because I have no control over the situation.
Nick hasn’t contacted me since the day he met his son, but I’m expecting the worst. Now that the billionaire knows Riley exists, it’s just a matter of time before he claims the boy as his .
.. permanently, this time.
My heart squeezes and then shudders because I’m frightened.
Riley is everything to me, and I’ll move heaven and earth to make sure my son gets everything he needs.
But this situation goes beyond material needs.
I’m terrified that Nick Bradley will wrest the child from my arms, and that I’ll have no way to fight back.
What happens then? Will I only see Riley on weekends?
School holidays? Riley is only a baby, and it seems cruel to separate a young child from his mother.
Yet I know Nick’s capable of such depravities.
He’s risen far in the business world because of his ruthless practices and take-no-prisoners approach, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he sees Riley as just another asset under his control.
But this isn’t about assets, property, nor dollars and cents, at least not anymore.
This is about a baby, and I let out a half-sob while dialing my friend Angela in Texas.
“Hey babe,” she says while picking up.
Then her expression scrunches up with consternation.
“Are you okay, Kris? What’s wrong?”
“Everything,” I blubber.
“I can’t even explain.”
“Shh, it’s okay,” Angie soothes.
“Tell me everything.”
In halting terms, I recount what’s happened since we last spoke.
“So Nick knows about Riley,” my buddy says in a low voice.
“Yes, the cat’s out of the bag,” I say in a sorrowful tone.
“What were the chances? I mean, of all the auctions in Vegas, he had to come to mine! Nick doesn’t even live in Vegas, so I just don’t get how this could have happened. The probability must be one in a million.”
“Yeah, and he came with your stepdad too,” she murmurs.
“I’d think they’d be mortal enemies.”
“No, they’re not. Besides, Steve is getting old, and I think Nick wants to keep things positive as Steve enters his twilight years.”
“Okay, that kind of makes sense,” Angie says in a thoughtful tone.
“But it’s been a week now since Nick met the baby, right? Has he contacted you since then?”
“No, and this is the weirdest part. I thought Nick was going to go ballistic, and snatch Riley from my arms. I was seriously ready to call the police if that happened. But yeah, after I went back into the baby’s room, Nick got a call. I could hear it through the walls, and then he rushed out.”
“Okay, so it sounds like he had an emergency,” Angie muses.
I let out a deep, shuddering exhale.
“I guess so. But I know he’ll be back. That man isn’t going to walk away from his son.”
“Or from you,” Angie adds.
“I think that man’s addicted to you, hon. He doesn’t seem to be able to let you go.”
“What do you mean?” I ask in a slow voice.
“Nick hates me, Ang, so if you mean ‘addicted’ in the sense that someone’s addicted to drugs or violence, then okay, yeah I guess. Besides, it’s been two years. He definitely let me go.”
“No, no,” Angie muses, her pretty features thoughtful.
“I think you’re under Nick’s skin, that’s all. I mean, he’s wanted you since you were seventeen and just a young girl. You’re what now? Twenty-two? Twenty-three? So it’s been six years, and your stepbrother’s still hot on your tail. That’s a long time, Kris. This man has been obsessed by you for years at this point.”
“I’m twenty-two,” I say in a wooden voice.
“And it’s not me anymore. It’s the son we share.”
Angie cocks her head at me on the screen, her expression still thoughtful.
“I’m sure Riley plays a part, but I think that this man has never been able to get you out of his bloodstream. He’s addicted to you, like I said.”
I shoot her a wry look.
“Or maybe he’s under a curse, and I’m his kryptonite.”
My friend smiles.
“That’s what I like to hear. Yes, you mean a lot to him, Kris, and he cares. He cares a lot, actually. So don’t be scared, hon. He wants what’s best for your child, and I think he might want what’s best for you too. Just see what happens.”
I let out a shuddering exhale and nod before throwing her a lopsided smile.
“Thanks Ang. I think waiting to see is the only option I have, seeing that Nick’s a wealthy and powerful physician, whereas I’m nobody and no one. He has all the resources, and I have almost none. But what about you?” I ask, changing the subject swiftly.
“You’ve made me feel so much better, Ang, and I appreciate it so much. But I don’t want to be a Debbie Downer, and talk only about me. How are things in Austin?”
My pretty blonde friend smiles.
“Things are good,” she says.
“Nothing to report.”
I fix her with a look.
“But are you feeling better now? I know Ned’s death was hard.”
She bites her lip and nods.
“I’ve been better,” she acknowledges.
“But I’m more or less okay! Actually, I have some interviews lined up, so I’m excited.”
“Cool,” I say with an encouraging grin.
“For what? You know I support you no matter what you do.”
She bites her lip and nods again.
“Well, I’m applying for housekeeping jobs.”
I tilt my head at her.
“Like as a maid at a hotel? That’s what you did before you met Ned, right?”
Angie nods.
“Yeah, I quit when I got engaged because Ned’s income was enough to support us both. But now that he’s gone, I need to make money again. His life insurance wasn’t very much, so it’s back to housekeeping I go. But I’m qualified,” she says with a lift of her chin.
“I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty, and grease and slime stand no chance against me.”
“Of course!” I say in an encouraging tone.
“But what kind of housekeeping are we talking?”
Angie grimaces a bit, but then her expression smooths.
“Well, basically Austin has seen a huge influx of rich people ever since the pandemic. Even during the pandemic,” she amends.
“A lot of people relocated to Texas, and to this city in particular, so I’m interviewing for private housekeeping jobs.”
My brow crinkles.
“Like you’ll swing by their house once a week to tidy up? That kind?”
Angie shakes her head, blonde tresses swinging.
“No, I’m interviewing for live-in positions. I’ll basically be a housekeeper to a rich family. Potentially even to people who are billionaires.”
“Wow,” I breathe, my eyes going wide.
“That’s amazing Ang! I’m so proud of you. I know Ned’s passing was difficult and—”
“No, I’m fine,” she interrupts with a somewhat sad smile.
“But yeah, it’s time for me to rejoin the workforce because I have to. The money’s running out, but it’s more than that. I need to feel useful again, and to feel like I mean something to the world.”
“Of course you do,” I say in an encouraging tone.
“You’ve been so good to me, Ang, through all of this, by listening with a kind ear and always providing a shoulder to lean on. I appreciate you.”
My pretty friend smiles gently.
“Thanks, Kris. I appreciate you too. Now I have to go because I have an interview in two hours,” she says, her gaze flickering to the clock on her phone.
“Talk soon!”
“Good luck!” I call as we wave one last time.
Then, the screen grows dark, and I sit back.
I hope Angela gets a job soon because I know what it’s like to watch the money slowly running out.
It drove me to auction my curves at a salacious gentlemen’s club because I was so desperate!
But now, my plans have gone awry, and my only question is what’s going to happen to me and my son?
Nick is my buyer ...
but the billionaire hasn’t made his claim yet.