Thanks to her in-laws’ power and money—and a prenup she was stupid enough to sign without double-checking the fine print first—the lying, cheating jerk was already walking away with over half of everything. Including her third of a company she’d helped build.
And his lawyer wanted to keep dragging this thing out formore?
Not a freaking chance.
“You and your attorney can both go straight to hell.” Cassie started to slam the door in Russ’s face, but his booted toe shot out at the last second.
“Wait!” He kept the door from shutting all the way. “I said hewantedme to go for more. But I told him no. I told him I’m done fighting with you, and I just…” He blew out a breath. “I told him I was ready to sign.”
She froze, her attempts to shut the door on him and his foot halting mid-push. Had he just said what she thought he said?
“You…what?”
“I said I’m ready to sign. That’s why I came by. I remembered you saying your plane was getting in later this evening, so I thought I’d come over so I could tell you in person.”
Whether he was genuine in his claim, she wasn’t sure. But after an intense and diligent search, Cassie couldn’t find even the slightest hint of a lie swirling back at her from the blues of his eyes.
She pulled her lapels together to stave off the rainy night’s breeze. “You could’ve told me at the office tomorrow.”
“When?” Russ immediately shot back. “Between court, meetings with clients, and you doing everything in your power to ensure our paths cross as little as possible, we barely see one another anymore. And when wedo, it’s either during our weekly case review or when we’re sitting in a room with two lawyers who really don’t give a shit about either one of us.”
Great. Not only had the man noticed what she’dhopedto be a concealed attempt at avoidance, but he also had a point about the lawyers.
God, I hate it when he’s right.
“I just want to talk, Cass. Five minutes. That’s all. Trust me.” Russ flashed those puppy-dog eyes and boyish grin her way. “You’re going to want to hear what I have to say.”
He’d always done that. Used his natural charm and good looks to get whatever he wanted. Even now, after everything he and his family had put her through, Cassie found herself stepping back to give him room to pass.
“Five minutes,” she warned as he entered the house he’d insisted they build. “That’s it.”
“Thanks. You look good.” Russ unzipped his windbreaker before hanging it on the knob of the nearby coat closet door. Turning back around, he gave her an almost leering glance before adding a lowered, “Really good.”
Seriously?“The clock’s ticking, Russ, and I’ve had a really long da—” A high-pitched whistling broke through the tense night, reminding her of the water she’d left to heat on the stove. “I was just about to have some tea.” Cassie headed back down the entryway hall. “Would you like some?”
“To be honest, I was kind of hoping for something a little stronger.” Russ fell in step behind her. “Glass of wine, perhaps?”
“You really think a glass of wine over a five-minute conversation before driving yourself home is a good idea?”
“With the conversation you and I are about to have?” He spoke over the screeching sound of whistling steam. “I think it’s the best damn idea I’ve had in ages.”
Rather than play into his attention-seeking dramatics by arguing further about the wine or inquiring about his ominous comment, Cassie went straight to the stove and turned off the heat. The ear-piercing sound dissipated quickly.
“One glass, and then you’re gone,” she informed him. Walking to the fridge, she pulled open the door and reached inside for the near-empty bottle she knew was still there.
“One’s all I need.”
With a tug, Cassie pulled the bottle stopper free, releasing the airtight seal the silicone’s expandable design had previously created. Since she rarely drank more than one glass at a time, buying a stopper like this one had proven itself a smart investment.
“The place looks great.”
“That’s probably because I haven’t changed anything since you left.” She handed him the freshly poured glass of sweet red wine. “So what was so important, you had to drive all the way over here in the pouring rain at almost ten o’clock at night?”
A booming clap of thunder shook the entire house just then, Mother Nature’s impeccable timing making Cassie’s muscles jump.
Russ’s eyes softened with a familiarity she wished they didn’t possess. “Still hate storms, I see.”
“I hate being tired even more.”