Chapter 24
Dax
That stops her in her tracks. I expected this fight. Hell, I looked forward to it, and she hasn’t disappointed. From the shock, outrage, lies, and anger. She’s beautiful in all her emotions.
I gesture for her to return. The only way she’s leaving is with my ring on her finger.
Her father’s statement is unfair. He was the one driving the car, and though it wasn’t his fault, Cori had nothing to do with her mother’s circumstances. Part of me feels bad, but I shove those feelings away. I can ask for forgiveness later. I want what I want right now.
“Now, let’s talk.” Leander’s voice is calm, but he’s still sweating like he’s run a marathon.
“Dax has given me his word he won’t ever hurt you and will always be a gentleman where you’re concerned.
” I didn’t say all that, but he’s right.
“And he’s rich, honey. You’ve been unhappy working for Armstrong, so you're free to quit now. You can finally go to fashion school. He’ll pay your tuition and whatever you want. He’ll invest in your fashion business.”
Cori doesn’t respond, but a tear slowly slides down her cheek. She doesn’t bother to wipe it away. I itch to do it, but I’m certain she’ll hit me.
She takes a deep breath. “Okay.” I’m immediately on alert at her docile tone. “Once Mom has the surgery and rehab, I’ll marry him. Draft up a contract,” she says.
“You know that’s not enforceable, Bella,” I chide. “Nice try.”
“I’ll give you my word,” she sneers.
“Stop playing, Cori. This is serious. This is for your mother. Don’t be selfish.” She flinches. It’s subtle, but I catch it, and I die a little inside.
“Selfish?” she asks. “I gave you the money I saved for school because of Mom’s bills.
I postponed school to stay home and take care of her.
Devin didn’t have to do a thing. He went off to college without a care in the world and promptly flunked out, and you have the nerve to call me the selfish one when I had to give up everything. Wow.”
The tears fall freely now. I can see the regret in her father’s eyes, but he steels his spine. He won’t give up. My offer is too good. Not only does his wife have a chance, but I will clear his debts, and all he has to do is give me his daughter.
“Yes, honey, you have sacrificed a lot. I’m sorry for saying that, but I need one more thing from you, and that’s it. Please, sit down.” Without a word, she takes a seat. “Now, this is a negotiation. It’s not all about what Dax wants.”
“But it is, because I don’t want any part of this.
No negotiation will make me feel like I’m empowered.
Was that your plan?” She doesn’t direct her question to anyone in particular, but I’m sure she’s speaking to me.
“To make me feel like I’m part of the decision when two men have already gone behind my back to plan my future? ”
“You are in control,” Leander insists. “State what you want.”
“I’d like to be treated like a human being and not a transaction.” Leander has the grace to flush and look away from his daughter. “Can I have that?”
“You’re not a transaction.”
“But obviously, that’s not on the table here.” She stands abruptly and faces me. “You want me to marry you?” She answers before I can tell her yes. “You know what they say. Be careful what you wish for.”
Then, she gives me her back again. “Fine, but know that the moment Mom is healthy, I’m leaving his wife buying ass. And if the surgery fails, I’m out. I’m leaving Shadow Cove and never coming back. Maybe if you’re lucky, I’ll send you a Christmas card every few years.”
“Cori.” I can hear the hurt and fear in her father’s words. He looks at me, and for once, I sense resentment toward me. “Don’t say that. You know I love you.”
“Love? Yeah, right,” she scoffs. “Use me? Sure. Love? I don’t think so.”
“That’s not—” She holds her hand up, and Leander doesn’t shut up. “You’re the only one who can help your mother. She needs you. We need you.” He tries to take her hands, but Cori pulls them back.
“That’s the thing. I don’t want the role of the family savior.
Why am I always the one to give up her dreams?
I gave up on college twice. I let you have my money and my time, and no one else ever has to do anything.
You took all of that away, and now you want to take my freedom, too.
When is it enough?” She angrily wipes a tear, and when I try to get closer to her, she holds a hand up and shakes her head no.
“No one is trying to take your freedom.” The words sound empty to my own ears.
That’s exactly how she would see it, and if I were in her shoes, I would feel the same way.
But this is what I want, and in time, I can dry her tears and give her everything she wants.
I console myself with the thought that I will get her away from these people who seem to do nothing but bleed her dry.
I don’t want to do that. I want to build her up.
I want to make her dreams come true, whether that’s a bridal shop business or design school.
I’ll lay the world at her feet. All she has to do is let me.
“You’re trying to, but you will never succeed.
Remember that.” She takes a deep breath before continuing.
“In the meantime, Daxton, I’m going to need money.
I’ll take an American Express, and I need a new luxury car.
Not one of the ones in a garage, but one of my choosing.
And I’ll need it tomorrow. You can park it in one of the guest spots in my apartment complex. ”
“Done, but Bella, I don’t like the idea of you thinking of ending the marriage before we’ve said I do.”
“I don’t give a fuck what you like,” she bites back. “Just know that I will leave your sorry ass when I get everything I can get out of you. That might even include your pathetic fucking life.”
“Corine! Watch your mouth,” her father warns.
“And you’ve lost all authority over me today, Dad.
I will say and do whatever I want from now on.
You can either accept that or not. If you don’t, keep it to yourself because I don’t want to hear about it.
” Her father gasps but doesn’t chastise her.
“You’ve taken it all from me. There’s nothing left. I’m done here.”
I intercept her. She comes to an abrupt stop, and I think she’s being careful not to collide with me. I reach for her left hand, but she steps back as if my touch is unthinkable.
“Don’t touch me.” She tries to slap me, but I wrap my hand around her wrist and put it down.
I’ve never been a man who didn’t go after what he wants, so I take her left hand and slide the eight-carat diamond on her finger.
She barely looks at it and walks out without a word.
Leander hangs his head in both hands and weeps.
“Man up. Dry your fucking tears and go tell your wife the news.” I slap him on the shoulder.
“I’ve lost her,” he moans. “She’s been barely hanging on by a thread, and now she’s gone, thanks to you.” His chair scrapes across the linoleum and heaves his heavy bulk upwards.
“I’m also the one who saved your son from a felony. You made a choice, Leander, and you chose your son.”