Page 28 of Filthy Hot Billionaire
I laughed, the sound rough and dark. “It’ll be difficult to fight a binding contract. Especially against the army of lawyers in my corner.”
Kitty’s eyes rounded widely. Why she wouldn’t have expected me to solidify this in writing, I didn’t know. I’d never led her to believe I was lacking in any way. I’d gotten my shrewd business sense from my father, and he had ensured I understood it was imperative to know everything about a situation. No detail was too small.
“What do you meanbinding?” Kitty asked.
I watched her closely, amused by the fact she wasn’t up to speed on everything. Did she not know that I had sealed the deal with Rhett years ago?
“I’ve got Rhett’s signature on every dotted line, his initials on every amended point,” I informed her.
“But not mine,” she countered hotly.
“Which is not necessary thanks to your prenup.”
Her eyes widened as though that was news to her.
“That cannot be right,” she argued. “It will not hold up in court and you cannot send me to jail.”
“Even if you’re right, have you forgotten who you’re dealing with?” I asked, keeping my voice low. “Mother, when money is no object, the law is the least of my worries.”
Kitty waved a hand in the direction of the house. “I have spent years turning Emily into a perfect young lady so you can what? Defile and exploit her because you are upset with me?”
I smiled, ensuring she saw the coldness in my eyes. “I assure you, upset doesn’t begin to cover it.”
I didn’t add the fact that my desire for Emily had nothing to do with her. The last thing I wanted was for my mother to know my end game.
“Emily deserves better,” she snapped, clearly hoping to distract me.
I cut my hand through the air. “Don’t act like you give a fuck about Emily. Knowing you, you groomed her to be my pet hoping it would get you in my good graces.”
Something flashed in her eyes and I knew I’d hit the nail on the head. That was the reason she was using Emily against me. The reason Rhett had offered up his own daughter.
Jesus fuck. The woman truly was deplorable.
Kitty exhaled sharply. “What is it you intend—”
I took one more step until I was standing over her, effectively cutting her off. “You no longer get to ask the questions or make the rules.”
“This ismyhouse,” she bit out, stepping back but bumping into the wall of the house. “I have every right.”
“Only until tomorrow.”
That stopped my mother cold. She glared up at me, but she didn’t argue. Deep down, she knew I was right. She was not in control anymore.
But I knew Kitty. I knew she was hoping I would back off, that I would forgive her transgression without repercussion. After all, it was what she felt she was due.
My cold smile widened, and I let her see in my eyes that she didn’t hold all the cards any longer. I wasn’t going to tell her that I had already filed the paperwork, and as of midnight tonight, Delta June’s ownership transfer would go into effect, naming me as the sole owner with Rhett’s signature on the paper. The house, the cars, all of it was mine in just a few hours, and there was nothing more she could do about it. I would let her fight this battle for as long as she thought she could. It would keep her occupied and distracted, something that was necessary for my sanity.
“I will not let you do this,” she hissed.
“Very well, Mother. You play your hand, and I’ll play mine.”
Her smile was ruthless as she smoothed a hand down her blouse. Clearly she believed she had won that round.
I was impressed that she managed not to storm off as I turned my back on her. As I shifted my attention to the moonlight glittering on the ocean, I realized my control had slipped. Briefly, sure, but it had slipped all the same. Emily had done that, and I couldn’t chance my mother sneaking in when I least expected it and finding a way to undermine me. Which meant there was one more person I needed to speak to, and I figured now was as good a time as any for that heart-to-heart.
Leaving the unfinished meal for the staff to clean up, I headed back inside. As I strolled down the lower level of the south wing, I thought about what Emily was doing in her room directly above me. As much as I wanted to check on her, to ensure she was all right, I ignored the urge to do so. My intentions were not altruistic, and truth be told, I didn’t care about Emily’s well-being at the moment. If I found myself alone with her again, I would manipulate her into giving me what I’d waited so long to have, and Emily deserved more than that.
With a resigned sigh, I headed through the house, specifically for Rhett’s office. I needed to take care of this conversation in the event I had to leave earlier than planned. Heaven knew I could only tolerate so much of Kitty, and she was quickly pushing my limits.
