3
VIVIEN
“That’s not how it works! You would never get joint custody! You don’t even live here full-time, and your reputation would work against you.”
Why is he so vindictive?
So determined to ruin Reeve and me?
I just can’t wrap my head around this. It’s blatantly obvious Simon manipulated both his sons. They should be working together to undo everything he did; instead Dillon is planning to destroy his brother. Histwin! As angry as I am with him, I’m also hurting for him too because he clearly still struggles to accept and embrace love. He’s choosing to hate Reeve, instead of trying to forge a relationship with his brother, and I won’t forgive him if he continues on this path.
He smirks that annoying smirk I used to hate to love, and I want to slap him. “When I’m not touring, I spend more time at my L.A. house than my Dublin one. I’ve hardly drank since February, and I’ve already begun the naturalization application. My US citizenship is a given. I was born here to US parents. It’s only a matter of cutting through some red tape.” His eyes drill into mine. “My lawyers are every bit as experienced as yours and Reeve’s. If I go for joint custody, I’ll get it.”
I know he will, but it will most likely take time. Years maybe. Even then, any access he is granted to Easton will be gradual and supervised by the courts. It’s not as black-and-white as he seems to think it is. “That doesn’t mean you’ll be entitled to encroach on our family time. If you are Easton’s dad, we won’t stop you from developing a relationship with him or from seeing him, but that doesn’t automatically give you a free pass to participate in family occasions and events. Your relationship with him will be separate from ours.”
I won’t let Dillon come between me and Reeve or my family. I can’t stop him from getting to know Easton if it turns out he is his father—nor would I want to—but he doesn’t get to inject himself into our lives purely to fulfill his vengeance agenda. “This is all hypothetical anyway until we get the test results and way too premature.”
“I’m not going to argue with you over this. You say nothing to Reeve until I say the time is right.”
His arrogant tone pisses me off, and I’m not letting him boss me around. “Fuck you, Dillon. You don’t dictate what I tell my husband.”
“I’ll post right now,” he threatens, extracting his cell again, his finger hovering over the keypad. “You won’t even have time to call him before he discovers the whole sordid truth online. And how do you think his fans will react to this news? Hmm. How do you thinkmyfans will react? They will come after you with the full extent of their disgust, and the hatred you endured in the past will pale in comparison to this.” He waggles his brows, and I want to punch him in his handsome face.
I know exactly how this would play out in the media. I’ll be the villain in this tale, while Reeve and Dillon will come out smelling like roses. I’ll be branded a cheater and a whore, and it’ll give further ammunition to that element of Reeve’s fanbase who have never thought I’m good enough for him. Dillon’s fans will think I’ve done wrong by him and lash me for it.
There is no scenario where I come out of this well.
However, I don’t care about that. The fans and trolls can throw shade atmeall they want, but I can’t tolerate the idea of anything or anyone hurting Easton. While he is young, he’s not immune to the impact of social media on our lives. If Dillon is his father, we will need to work out how and when to tell him. I don’t want this getting out in the media and forcing our hand before any of us are ready.
Easton is the reason I need to keep this private. He is the only way Dillon can force my hand now. “If you do this, you will hurt Easton. He’s either your son or your nephew. Would you really do that to him?”
He schools his features into a neutral line, and he looks so cold and clinical when he says, “Easton is a child. He won’t be privy to what’s being said online and in the media. I can make it disappear fast, after I’ve achieved my goal.”
My stomach sours, and I wonder if I ever knew Dillon at all. “You’re a despicable person and not worthy of being a father to my child.”
Dillon reaches across the console, gripping my chin in a tight hold. “You know nothing about me or what I’m capable of as a father.”
“I know any man who would try so hard to destroy a child’s mother’s happiness is not a good father. Trying to ruin Reeve, the only man Easton has ever called Daddy, is not the actions of a good person.”
Dillon releases my face, his hands dropping to his lap. “You continue to act like you’re both blameless. I’m not the only villain here. Reeve is as fucking manipulative as his father, and that doesn’t make him a very good role model either.”
“You’re so wrong.”
He harrumphs, shaking his head. “He manipulated you the second you got off the plane that day.”
“You’re delusional.” I’m genuinely contemplating calling Ash because Dillon has serious issues.
“You’re fucking naïve.” He jabs his finger in the air. “Who do you think arranged that photo of you two on the balcony?” His brows lift as he pins me with a challenging look.
I burst out laughing. “You cannot seriously be suggesting Reeve was behind that? After everything we’d endured at the hands of the media at that time? Come on, Dillon. Don’t be ridiculous.”
“God. He really has pulled the wool over your eyes, hasn’t he?” Dillon tugs on his eyebrow ring before leaning into my face. “I saw the little statement he gave to reporters later that day. His message was clearly directed at me.”
“His message was for Saffron! He was warning her to stay away from us. Besides, you didn’t give a shit about me. Sending me home in tears was all part of your plan, so why the fuck do you even care?”
“I never said I did.” A mask of indifference cloaks his face again. “I’m merely pointing out Reeve isn’t so squeaky-clean himself. Be careful before you throw stones at me.”
I deliberately ignore that comment, because we’re starting to go around in circles. “Believe whatever you want, Dillon.” I huff out a sigh. “It doesn’t change the fact I’m not keeping this from Reeve.”