Final Call (Call #2)(24)
Author: Emma Hart

“And this matters why?”

She sighs and stands again, resting her hands on her hips. “I’m wondering how problematic it would be for you if your little…alter ego…was forced to step from the shadows.”

I straighten. Every nerve on my body is on high alert at her discreet threat. Adrenaline is buzzing through my veins, and I hit Naomi with a sharp stare that would make any other woman shrink back.

“What exactly are you insinuating?”

“Could you imagine the repercussions of your identity being revealed?” She runs a fingertip along my windowsill. “The effect that would have on Aaron and the business… The CEO of Stone Advertising dating a call girl.” She tsks, shaking her head.

I step toward her, anger making my hands tremble, and stare at her dead-on. “I’m not sure what kind of manipulation and mind games happen in the modeling world, but you should be aware that I’m not a face-scratching or hair-pulling kind of girl. If I were you, Naomi, I’d get to the point quickly. I’m not the most patient woman in the world, and you’re wearing what little patience I do possess down rather fast.”

“The fashion world is fickle. If it was to be made public that Aaron was dating an escort, virtually every designer in existence would boycott the company. That would be followed by their remaining clients. You’re a taboo subject, Dayton. Your existence is a cause of disgust for many people… Including me.” She looks at me with that disgust written over her face in the curl of her lip.

“I can safely say the feeling is mutual.”

That smirk appears back on her face.

“Your point, Naomi?”

“My point? Ah, yes.” She walks around me, swaying her hips like the model she is. “The outcome of our marriage wasn’t exactly what I was hoping for. And signing the Stone contract in front of me? That was underhanded.” She sighs. “That’s by the by… But like I said, the settlement was less than I was hoping for. Before he took over Stone, he was worth twenty-five million alone from his stake in the company, various investments, and smart business decisions. By the end of next year, he’ll push the company over the billion-dollar threshold. Seven and a half million isn’t nearly enough, don’t you agree?”

I purse my lips. “Oh, I agree. It’s far too much.”

She holds my stare for a moment. “We signed an agreement that, in the case of a divorce, I would be entitled to half of what he was worth on the day we married. That was ten million.”

“So you already have more than you should.”

She ignores me. “That agreement was ridiculous, but the marriage was a clever move for us both, so I agreed. Of course, when he increased his worth exponentially throughout our marriage, five million was a meager amount.”

“My underwear lasts longer than your marriage did.”

She ignores me. “I was pushing for fifteen, but I would have been happy with ten. He only signed the amount he did to get it over with. I had no choice but to sign it if I didn’t want it to go to court.” She sighs again and taps her finger against her lips.

“My patience is close to exhaustion, Naomi.”

“I want the final two-point-five mil. I want what I helped him achieve.”

A sick feeling settles in my stomach. “And if you don’t get it?”

“Aaron is very good at keeping his private life away from the media. I have the contacts to expose every dirty secret you have, Dayton, and take several others down with you. Aaron and the business would be an unfortunate fall, I admit, but sometimes you can’t avoid these things.” She smiles, but there isn’t an ounce of friendliness in it. Just malice and spite and greed. Everything Carly said to me last night has been proven true by the woman standing before me.

“Are you threatening me?”

“Do you think I am?”

I walk to her, once again stopping in front of her. “Get out of my house.”

“I’d prefer Aaron didn’t know about this, so I’ll give you a month.” She looks me up and down. “I’m sure you can f**k enough guys in that time to raise the money.”

I step closer to her again. “Get the f**k out of my house. Now. Or I’ll throw you out.”

After a long second of her staring into my eyes, she turns on her heels and leaves, slamming the door behind her. I stare at the empty doorway she just passed through, my chest heaving with each ragged breath I take.

Angry tears burn the backs of my eyes. I don’t doubt her for a second. I know in my gut she’d go to the press just to spite us—to spite me.

I collapse on the sofa next to me. Do I even have anything close to that kind of money? I have savings, sure, and I know there’s a lot of money in there, but nothing close to what she’s asking for. And there’s no chance of me going out and working for it.

Shit! Am I really considering paying that bitch off?

Yeah. Yeah, I am. Because of Aaron. Because if it means protecting him and the business, the business he and his father grew together, then yes. I’d pay her off.

I’d do just about anything to protect him.

***

My first thought when my financial planner informs me that there’s four hundred and forty thousand dollars sitting in my investment account is why the hell I haven’t paid off my mortgage yet.

My second is a resounding Fuck.

That’s also the first word I mutter when I leave the building, discreetly tucking the printed slip into my bra.

I can barely believe I’m considering this—that I’m here, getting the information I need to fulfill her f**ked-up request. I don’t think I’ve yet truly processed our conversation.

I mean, shit. The woman walked into my house and blackmailed me. In my own f**king house!

I lean against the wall and press my fingers to my temple, rubbing harshly. My head is throbbing from the events of today. Hell, it’s throbbing from the events of the last few weeks.

I get into my car and pull out of the parking lot. The journey passes in a blur with seemingly no time passing at all when I arrive back at my house. Words and threats and promises and hopes swirl in my mind, each of them crashing into each other until the throb becomes a relentless pound.

I park and scramble into my house. My cell and keys hit the table with a clunk, and I run upstairs to the bathroom. I twist the bath taps until they’re on full power and peel my clothes away.

There’s barely any water in the tub, but I climb in anyway. The hot and cold water mingles at my feet. I watch as the level slowly rises, and I lean forward, hugging my thighs to my chest.