He isn’t wrong, but to imply that Pearl has violated her non-disclosure agreement is a serious offense. On one hand, I don’t want to give in to him. He has no basis for his accusation, but taking things at face value. And, unfortunately, given the fact that Pearl and I are together now, any court of law would at least hear him out.
If this ever goes to court, Pearl will be in danger, and I may not be able to protect her. Yes, I could pay the fine and get her the best lawyers in the business, but an accusation is enough to ruin her reputation.
“I told you he was going to have a fit when he found out,” Colleen sighs.
“There’s no time for ‘I told you so,’ Colleen. We need to figure out how to fix this. If anything happens to Pearl, I won’t forgive myself.” I set the coffee pot back on the warmer and grip the edge of the counter.
“Nothing is going to happen to our girl, I promise. We just need to talk in Kyle’s language and make this all go away.”
Money. I have a ton of it, and if paying him to leave Pearl and I in peace will make him go away, then so be it. I’ll do anything to keep her safe. Anything.
“Fair enough. Tell him I’ll be there in about twenty minutes.” I hang up the phone without saying goodbye before storming back into the bedroom.
“What did Colleen want?”
I stop dead in my tracks at the sight of Pearl standing beside the bed, my white button-down shirt covering all her curves, and my cock hardens.
Get it together, man. You don’t have time for this.
Not wanting to worry her, I wrap her in my arms. “There are just some papers I need to sign. Nothing too serious. Just stay here and relax. Colleen is sending over a change of clothes for you. Just come in whenever you’re ready.”
Her cheeks darken. “Colleen knows?”
I laugh at the look of utter surprise on her face. “Colleen is the one who pushed me to make a move.”
“We should send her a thank you present,” she purrs as her arms slide up my bare chest and around my neck. She pulls her body flush against mine, nipping at my chin. “Have time for another round before you head in?”
“I wish, but if I’m not there in thirty minutes, Colleen will come here.”
“Oh, no. We don’t want that.” She drops her arms down to her side and steps out of my embrace. “Go, but come back soon.”
With one final kiss, I head off to the shower and begin formulating my battle plan.
“It was great doing business with you,” Kyle holds his hand.
I reluctantly take it, giving him a firm handshake as I open my office door and usher him out.
“No, it wasn’t, but this way we both get what we want,” I counter, hoping that he understands this is the last time we’ll be meeting. “Now, get out of my office.”
It took a lot longer than I anticipated, but Colleen was right. Kyle was looking for a payout. Apparently, his brilliant scheme to rescue his company failed, due mostly to our efforts, and he was ready to bail from the sinking ship.
When he discovered that Pearl was working again, it only took a few phone calls to find out she was working at Nth Technologies. And Kyle has always known how I felt about his ex-wife, even back in high school.
“You should be thanking me,” he says smugly as he releases my hand.
“For what exactly?” I scoff.
I can’t think of one thing that I could be thankful to him for. Well, other than him divorcing Pearl, but that was his own stupidity.
“I broke her in nice and good for you, man.”
I immediately see red, gripping him by the collar of his cheap suit and backing him against the wall.
“Don’t you dare speak about her that way again,” I growl through clenched teeth. “If you were half the man you bragged about being, she would never have come looking for me in the first place.”
“So, she did come looking for you. How’d you like my sloppy seconds?” he squeaks.
I tighten my grip on his collar, ready to knock his lights out.
“Kyle.”
Pearl’s voice breaks me from my rage-filled haze, and I release Kyle’s collar. He goes crumbling down to the floor.
“The whore has arrived.” Kyle sneers at Pearl as he gets to his feet, brushing his pants off. “I see you found another man to support your fat ass, since I threw you out on the street.”
“I’m going to end you,” I growl, storming toward him.
Pearl grabs my arm, halting me in my tracks.
“Please,” she begs. “He isn’t worth the prison sentence.”
“Yeah, Clay, I don’t think orange is your color,” Kyle sneers.
Pearl’s eyes widen slightly before she releases my arm and steps around me. She strides directly toward Kyle, pulling her arm back and socking him in the face.
“You fucking bitch!” he screams as blood begins pouring from his nose. “You broke my nose.”
Damn. Remind me never to piss her off.
“Good, but I can’t say it’s an improvement. You aren’t worthy enough to be in the same room as Clay, let alone utter his name!” Pearl screeches as she lunges toward him again.
This time, it’s my turn to stop her.
“Calm down, kitten,” I whisper into her ear before kissing the side of her head.
She sags in my arms, all the fight drained out of her.
“Should we go back into your office? I’m sure you would prefer not to have the press find out about this incident,” Kyle says, the threat clear in his voice.
“Fuck you, Kyle.” Pearl pulls out of my arms, stopping directly in front of her ex-husband.
I laugh loudly as he flinches like he’s expecting another blow.
“Do us all a favor and leave. You got whatever it is you came for,” she spits at him.
“Didn’t your boyfriend tell you? He’s been buying up stocks left and right, trying to take over my company.” Kyle pulls a handkerchief from his pocket and brushes it across his bloody nose before standing up straight and adjusts his suit jacket. “I assumed it was because he had some insider information from you. You were always too stupid to know when to keep your mouth shut.” He smirks at me over Pearl’s shoulder. “You really shouldn’t keep secrets from each other. It’s not the best start to a relationship.”
“You’re one to talk. How many people did you screw during our ten years of marriage?” Pearl scoffs.
“If you weren’t such a frigid bitch, I’d have kept you around. You were a damn good doormat.”
I step around Pearl, ready to tear him limb from limb, consequences be damned. He is not going to get away with treating her like that. Not on my watch. Kyle steps back, smacking into the wall behind him.
“I’ll end you,” I growl as I continue to prowl toward him like a lion ready to devour its prey.
Pearl slides between us again, cupping my cheeks in her hands. “I’d really like for you to take me home and bend me over the back of the couch when this is over.”
The rage that was coursing through my veins is replaced with a burning desire. The strength that Pearl has shown in the last few moments is astounding. Without breaking contact with me, she addresses Kyle.
“You wanted money, right? I’m sure that’s why you came here in the first place.”