Chapter Forty-One #4
“But the deed in my name certainly is,” Gemma quips. “Oh, and just in case you haven’t figured it out by now, I won’t be going anywhere with you tomorrow. I guess what I’m saying is you can fuck off.”
Robert looks about to explode as Jerry smiles wide. The only thing that takes my mind off this is Gemma’s hysterical laughter. The sound is so contagious that I pull her close to me and laugh too.
“You stupid bitch! Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” Robert screams, moving his plate, then stands.
“Beat you at your own fucking game. When I ended things, I told you I wasn’t marrying you, Robert. I meant every single word,” Gemma gloats.
“I need an explanation right this goddamn minute!” Robert demands. If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll keep his feet planted where they are.
“Sure thing.” Gemma shoots him a wink as I trail my fingers across her arm.
“Eric, your eight-figure client was completely fake. I needed you out of town so I could move all of my shit out of your house. Locks are changed, and a new security system has been installed in my cottage. Also, Eric was on your dime. His car, suit, hotel, all of it. Thought you could use some more business expenses.”
“Bullshit,” Robert seethes. “You’re not smart enough to pull something like that off.”
She rolls her eyes, and the urge to knock him on his ass gets stronger with every dumbass word he says.
“I told him what to say to make it believable. All those times you thought I wasn’t paying attention at your business dinner?
I was, and I learned a thing or two about you as well.
Forcing someone’s hand in marriage isn’t right, Robert, but you gave me no fucking choice.
You made this bed, and now you’ll sleep in it… alone.”
“You fucking cunt!” Within seconds, Robert charges toward Gemma.
Jerry stands, and I move her behind me as Robert sloppily swings his fist. I throw one punch right into his big ass nose, something I’ve wanted to do since the moment I met him.
Robert stumbles backward, but his rage is too much.
He growls and makes me his new target as blood runs down his face and splashes on his white button-up shirt.
As he throws punches and misses, Jerry shouts, “That’s enough!”
Robert turns, and that’s when I see Jerry holding a long-barreled shotgun in his hand. He racks it, putting a shell into the chamber. All I can do is cross my arms over my chest and smirk. He’d be a dumb motherfucker to try to cross Jerry Reid.
“Get the fuck outta my house.” Jerry points the shotgun at Robert. “I’m a crack shot, so I wouldn’t press your luck, boy.”
Robert straightens his stance, then glares at Gemma. “This isn’t over,” he threatens, pointing a finger at her.
Gemma walks to the living room and grabs a stack of papers. When she returns, she slaps them down on the table. Robert snatches them up and flips through them. His eyes bug out of his head as he continues to read the bank statements that could destroy him and his business.
“If you don’t want that getting reported to the district attorney, the papers, and the local news, I’d suggest you drop it.
Considering the amount of money laundering and fraudulent activity that’s in that stack, I believe it is over, Robert.
Don’t make me ruin you because I will. Oh, and don’t worry, I have plenty of copies, so feel free to keep those as a reminder.
” Gemma stands firm, showing no mercy toward the man who made her life miserable.
Robert snarls before walking out, slamming the door behind him. When we hear his car start and speed off, Jerry lets out a sigh. “Oh thank God, you didn’t marry that asshole.”
Jerry wraps Gemma in a big hug, then pulls me in too. The three of us laugh and break apart.
“Are you two really married and stayin’ that way?”
I look at Gemma, who’s beaming with happiness. Pulling her close, I interlock my fingers with hers, then look back at Jerry. “Yes, sir. She’s the love of my life.”
He places a firm hand on my shoulder and squeezes. “Good. You two deserve all the happiness in the world with each other.”
“Thank you, Daddy.” Gemma hugs her dad, tears shining in her eyes when she pulls away. “I told you it would all work out, didn’t I?”
“You did,” he exclaims. “Never saw any of this comin’, though.”
“You’re the first to know,” I explain. “Well, you and Robert.”
He chuckles. “I’m honored and thrilled to have you as my son-in-law, but that doesn’t mean I’m gonna go any easier on you at the garage.”
“Wouldn’t expect anything less.”
Gemma squeezes my hand, and I meet her eyes.
“Thank you, Gem. I know you did this for me,” Jerry says sincerely, and I see the flicker of emotion in his eyes that’s starting to boil over.
“I did, Daddy. And it worked out for the best. Now, we all get our happily ever after.”
“Yes. And oh, you two go be together. You’ve been married for seventeen days and fooled the world. Go, go! I’ll clean up ’round here.” He shoos us away, and we don’t argue.
I’ve been waiting nearly three weeks for this night, and I don’t want to waste another second of not being alone with my wife.