Page 83 of Tempting Miles
A folder full of documents stares back at me.
The first file I open is a notarized agreement stating that unless my father pays 1.8 billion dollars or his daughter—me—marries Easton Ryan, Levine Constructions must be transferred to Jeremy Ryan by March thirty-first.
Dad’s signature sits at the bottom of the page. Clear as day.
The air leaves my lungs.
I shove the tablet back toward Easton before quickly wiping the tears from my cheeks.
“That could be AI-generated,” I say, even though deep down I already know the documents look terrifyingly real. “Where are the hard copies?”
“Pen, please.” He gives me a pitying look that makes me want to throw a salt shaker at his head.
“I can pay,” I blurt out.
The words come automatically because I know Gio would loan me the money in a heartbeat.
I’d figure out how to pay him back later.
“Actually,” Easton says smoothly, “I also have it on good authority that your father’s dealing with a pretty serious heart condition these days. Stress-related, apparently.” He clicks his tongue. “Keeping all of this from his beloved family hasn’t exactly done him any favors.
“Do you really want to drag this into the open and make him lose the last shred of dignity he’s hanging onto?” he continues softly. “Or would you rather marry me, get this over with, and let Daddy Dearest keep his company?”
If we weren’t sitting in the middle of the MacAllisters’ diner right now, I’d probably launch myself across this table.
Maybe bringing him here wasn’t the smartest choice after all.
Because Easton isn’t bluffing anymore. He’s out for blood.
“How do I know your family won’t still take the company after we get married?” I ask, my voice sounding rough even to my own ears.
“Well, Pen, there are signed legal agreements covering everything we discussed.” He shrugs lightly. “If you marry me, the company stays with your father. If not, we’ll be adding Levine Constructions to our portfolio by May.”
I close my eyes for a second, trying to absorb it all.
“I still need proof my father’s sick,” I say quietly. “I saw him last week and he looked completely fine.”
Easton smirks, then taps another file open on the tablet.
A doctor’s report. My father’s doctor.
The document states his heart health has rapidly deteriorated over the last several months. There are notes about stress management, medication, diet changes, exercise restrictions—more than I can bring myself to read.
Tears burn behind my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. I won’t give Easton the satisfaction of seeing me break.
“Fine,” I whisper. “I’ll do it.”
“Wonderful.” He grins. “One more thing. If you decide to play hero and expose me—or go to the police—remember my family is more powerful than yours. And infinitely more powerful than the MacAllisters.”
My stomach drops at the mention of Miles’s family.
“Oh yes,” Easton continues, clearly enjoying my reaction. “I know all about your little fuck boy’s family. I could crush them without lifting a finger.”
Images flash through my mind one after another.
Miles losing his home. River losing the orchard. Xander’s ice rink project falling apart before it’s even finished.
Even Gio—with all his money and influence—wouldn’t be untouchable against a family like Easton’s.
