“I don’t know if I’m strong enough for her and Rumi,” I mumble.
“You are, and when you need strength, I’ll be here holding you, okay? We’re in this together.”
And oh, how I would love to agree with him. But I can’t afford to lose my heart to this man, knowing he is hollow inside. I give myself a few more minutes inside his strong arms before pushing him away.
“If you could help her with the legal stuff—” I clear the tears with the back of my hand. “This is her dream home, and I don’t want it to go to the lowlife who left her because she chose their child.”
He nods as if he understands. “We can make a few calls. I’m sure Lang’s husband can help us with that. He’s one of the best. What else do you need?”
“I have to talk to him about Rumi’s guardianship.”
“Who is Rumi, again?”
“Her daughter.”
“Why?”
“Anya is sick and has this crazy idea that she’s not going to survive. Which brings me to the part where I need a second opinion or a new treatment, or…”
“Elroy Brennan might know someone in New York, or we can go to Seattle. The doctor who treated my grandfather is one of the best.”
“We’re unemployed, and neither of us can afford the trips or the medical expenses.”
“Siobhan.”
I don’t understand the tone of his voice. “Yeah?”
“I’ll pay for it,” he offers.
“Why would you do that?”
“Why not?”
“We’re talking about thousands of dollars.”
“Which I can afford,” he reminds me. “My entire fortune is at your disposal, baby. Anything you want is yours. Just take it.”
“But I won’t be able to pay you back,” I respond, and it’s on the tip of my tongue to remind him that I’m not baby or babe or any of those sweet nicknames he used with me. I don’t want him to be gentle with me. I need him to be cold and indifferent.
“I’m offering without the expectation of you paying me back.”
“I don’t need you to be nice.”
“Why?”
“You sound like a five-year-old asking questions, can you stop?”
“No, I rely on logic, and you’re just tossing out half explanations. I learned that from you.” He grins, and I hate that it makes him look arrogant and hot—a lethal combination.
If I’m going to survive these next few months, I have to kick him out of here. “Leave. I’ll let you know when I’m ready to find out about the pregnancy.”
“When the child turns eighteen and claims that you never needed me?” He shakes his head. “I don’t think so.”
“That’s a possibility.”
“Either way, you have to let me help your sister.”
“Why?”