“I’ll take it.” I stare at myself for a long moment, picturing Jericho and Asher beside me. I will not lose this family. I don’t care what it takes.
Nicky helps me out of the dress after she pins a few spots to make a few small alterations. I’m not sure when Jericho and I are getting married, but I know it’s going to be soon.
“I’ll have it done tonight.” Nicky answers my unspoken question. I want to be excited, but I’m still so worried about what is going to happen with Asher. Jericho swears everything will be fine, but I’m not sure I’ll really rest until I know that for sure. The thought of someone taking him from me is almost more than I can bear.
“I’ll talk to her if I want to. Get out of my way! This was my brother's house,” I hear Lucas bellow. Nicky’s eyes widen, looking toward the door.
“Stepbrother,” I mutter under my breath as I quickly change back into my yoga pants and sweater. “Thank you for everything,” I tell Nicky before I rush to go deal with Lucas. Dora took Asher up to his bed after he’d passed out earlier while waiting for me to change from one dress to another. He’d oohed and ahhed over the first couple. He was surprisingly into it until it wore him out.
I find Lucas and Dora in the entryway. If Paul was here, Lucas would have been out on his ass already. I’m actually wondering if Lucas was watching the house to see when Jericho and Paul left.
“It’s okay,” I tell Dora. They both turn my way when I speak. “I can speak with him.” I’m not going to let him bully me. That’s all he is. I don’t understand why Michael even agreed to clear his debt. He might have thought by doing it that maybe Lucas wouldn’t try to milk money from me.
“There is the lady of the house,” he boasts sarcastically.
“I’m not sure this is a good idea.” Dora tries to step between us. Lucas narrows his eyes on her.
“Come.” I motion with my hand for Lucas to follow me wanting his attention off Dora before he tries to hurl insults her way. I’m sure they’d roll off her, but if I can stop them, I will. Besides, she's going to rush off to call Jericho, I’m sure.
Lucas scurries after me. I’m really not sure why he wants to speak to me; there is nothing I can actually do. It’s Jericho that is in charge, and honestly, I’m a bit thankful for that. I’m not sure how I would be handling all of this if it weren’t for him.
“How do you do it? First Michael and now Jericho. Sure, you’re good-looking, but they could have anyone. Women fall all over rich men. As you know.” He can’t help himself. He’s just mean to his core, always making sure to get in a jab.
“Aren’t you here for money?” I spin around to face him once we enter the formal living room area.
“Who do you think you are to talk to me that way? You’re the whore!” He hisses the last part. Even with five feet between us, I can smell the alcohol, but I’m wondering if he’s paired it with a few other things today because he has a wild look in his eyes.
“Are you mad because you think I’m a whore but I still turned you down those two times?” He pales but only for a second. Then his face starts to turn red.
“You really think you’re something special, don’t you? Where do you think your Jericho is right now?” he asks gleefully as he pulls out his phone. I don’t bother responding. He turns his phone around to face me as he slips one picture after another across the screen.
The pictures start with Jericho entering a fancy building. Then Christina answering the door. She was smiling at him before he followed her in. The last one is of the door closing behind them.
“Is that all?” I ask. The last thing I’ll believe is that Jericho is sleeping with that woman. Lucas really doesn't know Jericho. He’s there to try and fix this mess Lucas has made. Lucas quickly sees I’m not buying it and switches his game.
“He told her he’s not going to give her a cent. You know what that means?” Lucas takes a step closer. It takes everything inside of me not to retreat, but I know he’ll get off on that. He wants to scare me. “He wants the money for himself. He doesn’t give a fuck about Asher. Probably wants him gone so he can have you to himself.”
His words take my breath away for a moment. Only because even mentioning Asher being taken from me kills me inside.