Conquered: She Who Dares Book Two (13 page)

I step closer to her, determined to drive my point home. I lock my eyes on hers. “I always get what I want Cassie, and right now, you are standing in the way of what I want. I suggest you fucking move. I do not want you, and I do not want that baby.” Then I decide to be a real bastard. “Think of the child. It’s going to grow up with a father that doesn’t want it, and a slut for a mother, all because you’re a deluded crazy bitch. Wake the fuck up Cassie and do the right thing.” I growl.

Her lip starts to tremble again. She stands and storms out of my office without a word.

That woman is insane, and I’m having a child with her. Great.

I know I’m a bastard, and I know I’m being an arsehole about this. I do not want a baby with her, if that makes me a dick then so be it. From what I’ve seen of her and read up on her, she’s not stable enough for this. Perhaps that means I should be helping her through it, but honestly, she’s bringing it on herself. If she wants it, she can deal with it. I don’t have it in me to deal with this crap right now. I always said that if I ever had kids I would give them the world, be the best father I could be. I will stand by that if she forces me into it. Is it so bad that I want to want a child? I feel like she’s robbing me of something that I should be sharing with someone else.
Lilly
, my mind whispers. I shut it down quickly. No longer an option. The fact is, my firstborn child should not be with an ex-stripper I banged in a club toilet. That just about sums up my life right now.

My phone rings again. Jesus, it’s non-stop today.

“Ellis.” I answer.

“Hey, so your opposition on the Wyatt deal is James Hardy.” Will says.

I laugh. “Why the fuck is that shit trying to buy out Wyatt?”

“Who knows? I trust you’ve got this.”

I laugh. “Yeah, I got this.” I hang up.

James Hardy. He doesn’t stand a chance of beating me, he has half my resources at best, not to mention I have an in with Wyatt. What irritates me though is that he’s using Lilly as legal representation. Why? He’s not a client of the firm. The guy has a reputation. He has two kids, but continues to fuck his secretary behind his wife’s back, hell she might even know. His reputation is infamous, and I don’t want him anywhere near Lilly.

Looks like Mr Hardy and I are going to be having words.

Chapter Eight

Lilly

I’m manic today, I’ve got a tonne of paperwork to do. Sadly it’s not all huge deals and throwing around money. I received an email from Simmons telling me that we are going to have to drop Hardy as a client on the Wyatt deal, but I am to try and retain him as a future client at all costs. Great, no fucking pressure.

I’m at my desk working through my paper mountain when Ola from reception calls me. “Lilly you have a visitor. She’s in reception.”

“Thanks. I’ll be right through.” I have no scheduled visits today, so I have no clue who it is.

You can imagine my surprise when I turn the corner and see none other than Theo’s one night stand, and mother of his child sitting in reception.

“Can I help you?” I ask her through gritted teeth. The last thing I want to deal with right now is Theo’s one nighter.

“Can we talk?” She asks sheepishly. I should tell her to go fuck herself, but I don’t. I’m curious.

I sigh. “Follow me.” I lead her through to one of the conference rooms. She follows me into the room and I close the door behind her.

She stands with her back to me for a long time before she finally turns around. She looks nervous. She assesses me before finally speaking. “I know you probably hate me.” She mumbles.

I raise an eyebrow at her. “I don’t hate you. I don’t know you.” I say bluntly.

She stares at the floor as she fiddles with the strap of her handbag. “I’m sorry about what happened.”

“I really see no need for you to be sorry either. You met a guy at a club and you fucked him. You don’t owe me an apology.”

She takes a deep breath and meets my eyes. “I just, I know it must be hard on you with this.” She gestures toward her stomach. She has no idea, but I’m not about to let on to her, of all people.

“Cassie, I’m just going to make something clear for you. I broke up with Theo. I broke up with him because I’m not prepared to stick around and play step mummy. He didn’t cheat on me with you. Had we been together at the time, it never would have happened. I can assure you of that.” I conjure some strength and feign nonchalance. “Theo is just a guy, there are plenty more of them.” She raises her eyebrows, clearly shocked. “So tell me, why are you here?”

“Um, well.” She stammers. “Theo won’t talk to me.” Tears start to streak down her face. Oh god, I cannot deal with a crying pregnant woman. “He hates me. He said I should get rid of my baby.” Perhaps he should have thought of that before going in bareback. “I don’t know what to do.” She shakes her head.

“And as sad as this is...” I don’t actually give a shit. “How does this affect me?”

She pauses for a moment, looking unsure of herself. “Please talk to him. He listens to you. I don’t want anything from him, but I don’t want my child to be left without a father. I know what it’s like not to have parents.” Her eyes meet mine, glassy with tears and begging me to help her. There’s something amiss with her, but I can’t put my finger on it.

“Cassie, you cannot expect to have a one night stand with a guy, get pregnant, and him be happy about it. That is not how it works.”

“He has a responsibility to his child.” She snaps. For the first time I see a bit of spunk in the pathetic little wall flower.

“No, he doesn’t.” I sigh. “You really don’t get it do you? If you have that baby, you need to be prepared to have it on your own. He has no responsibility to it, because he chooses not to. He’s a man, and men can walk away. Benefits of the job.” I pause and watch her stricken face. “Look, this shit is between you two. I left because of this. Do you really think I’m going to tell him to play daddy?” I lift an eyebrow.

“He…he loves you.” I see the hurt on her face as she says it, there’s an unmistakeable longing in her features. Holy shit, is she in love with Theo? “He’d do anything you ask. Please.” She whispers.

“You’re in love with him.” I say quietly.

“I…No.” She stammers.

“How can you be in love with him? You fucked him in a toilet cubicle.”

She keeps her eyes down as she gnaws on her bottom lip. “We had one night together a few months ago. I thought…I thought he cared about me.”

I huff a laugh. “Let me guess, he told you all the right things, fucked you seven ways to Sunday and then kicked you to the curb.”

Her eyes meet mine. “I thought we had a connection.” Her eyes study my body. “I’ll never compare to you though, you’re beautiful.” She says sadly.

“Seriously, walk away Cassie while you still can. He is not a man to fall in love with, trust me on this.” I say quietly. For some strange reason I feel for her, because although our situations aren’t the same, I know what it feels like to be in love with Theodore Ellis. It’s painful. I also happen to agree with her. He should be taking responsibility for that child.

She turns to leave but pauses at the door. “Please just speak to him.” She begs. There’s a desperation in her voice close to panic.

“Tell me something. Why do you want that baby so badly? I mean, most women in your situation wouldn’t keep it.”

She turns to face me, her pale green eyes meeting mine. “There’s no ulterior motive if that’s what you mean. It’s simple; I want a baby. I grew up in foster care. I have no family, and no close friends. I’ve always wanted a child, someone to love and who will love me back unconditionally.” A small smile pulls at her lips. I guess I can relate. Of course I’ll never have that.

She may want that child, but I can see from a mile away she’s not strong enough to do this on her own. She wants Theo to be there with her, but she’s living in a fantasy. The part of me that is desperately in love with Theo wants to believe that he will step up, but I’m not really sure. How could I possibly predict how he would act in this situation? We never even spoke about any of this stuff. We weren’t together long enough for that awkward conversation.

She needs to be prepared to go it alone though. “You have no idea what you’re dealing with Cassie. A girl like you is no match for a man like him. He will break you, he will ruin you, and he will never love you. I don’t say this to be a bitch. I say it because sadly it’s true.” She sniffs back more tears. I sigh. “Look, I don’t like the idea that you have no-one. If you find yourself in need of help, call me, okay?” I hand her my card. “And Cassie, keep this between us. He wouldn’t like it.” I don’t know why I’m helping her, but I can tell by looking at her that the girl is a walking statistic waiting to happen.

She nods and then she’s gone. I feel sorry for her, not because she’s pregnant, but because she’s in love with Theo. That in itself is stupid, but add to the fact that she thinks forcing him to be a father will make him return the feelings…she’s an idiot. She’s also deluded, who falls in love with a guy after one night? Honestly, I will never understand some people.

When I get back to my desk I have several new emails, including an email from James Hardy asking me to call him urgently. Great, what now?

Chapter Nine

Theo

James Hardy owns Capital Enterprises, a company that deals in a variety of things, but mainly supply and distribution for major manufacturers. Truth be told, Wyatt Industries is more his bag than mine, but well, I don’t like losing, ever. So on pure principal I’m going to crush him. I’ve heard through various contacts that he’s already started buying shares. I’m here to let him know who he’s up against and perhaps give him an easy out.

The offices of Capital Enterprises are housed in One Canada Square. Hardy is all about his big statements. I take an elevator up to fortieth floor and step out into a reception area not dissimilar to my own at Ellis Tower.

“Can I help you?” The pretty brunette receptionist asks.

“I need to see Mr. Hardy.” I say curtly.

“Um, I’m sorry, he has appointments all day.” She stammers a little as she tries and fails miserably not to stare at me. Her big brown eyes stay glued to the desk in front of her.

I break out my most charming smile and she blushes bright crimson from neck to hair line. I lean over the desk a little. “I’m sure you can make an exception.” I say in a low voice. The poor thing is practically hyperventilating. “Can’t you sweetheart?”

“I…” Oh fuck, I think she actually is hyperventilating.

“Look, it’s okay. Hardy needs to hear what I have to say. I’ll just go on through okay?” She nods as she tries to catch her breath. I flash a quick smile at her again and head across the lobby to a set of heavy wooden doors. I push them open and am greeted with yet another pretty young thing, this one blonde. Jesus, if I had women like this working for me I’d never get anything done. Mind you, knowing Hardy’s reputation, he probably likes a convenient fuck.

“I’m sorry sir, but Mr. Hardy is in a meeting.” Oh Jesus, my ‘I want to fuck you’ smile is getting a work out today. It’s been a while since I’ve had to use it.

“You’re the secretary I presume.” The secretary he’s fucking.

She blushes slightly, but manages to keep most of her composure. Hmm, maybe I’m losing my touch. “Uh, no I’m just covering for an hour. He’s in a meeting with his secretary. He’ll be done in half an hour if you want to wait.”

I smirk at her. “Do you know who I am?”

She looks up and tilts her pretty blonde head to the side. “You’re Theodore Ellis.”

I smile easily. “I’m Theodore Ellis, and I don’t wait for anybody, especially not for a little turd like Hardy whilst he fucks his secretary.” She puts her hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh. “It was nice to meet you…”

“Leanne.” She fills in.

“Leanne. Now I have a meeting to break up it would seem.” She flashes me a sweet smile as I turn to the second set of heavy wooden doors. Doors that are seemingly sound proof…or maybe Hardy just doesn’t know how to make a woman scream.

I step into the room to find Hardy standing with his trousers round his ankles. A brunette is on her knees with his dick in her mouth. She may not be screaming, but from the sounds he’s making I’d say poor fucker’s pretty close to blowing his load. Shame.

“Sorry to break up the party.” I laugh lightly as Hardy stumbles backward away from the woman, his erect dick still covered in her spit. He scrambles to pull his trousers up. She scrambles to her feet, her mouth opening and closing. She’s hot, big tits, tiny waist, good face and a mane of chocolate waves. I can see why Hardy hired her. “You know sweetheart, if you want to earn your money on your knees, I could help you out with that.” Her eyes flick down to my crotch and I laugh. “No, I’m picky where I put mine. I do own a very exclusive strip bar however, and well, I’m pretty sure I’d pay you a hell of a lot better than Hardy here.” I smirk.

“Andrea, get out.” Hardy barks at the girl, and she is a girl, she must be at least fifteen years younger than him. The girl rushes from the room.

“I see you never change, Hardy. She’s hot though, I’ll give you that.”

“What do you want Ellis?” He growls. I know he wants to kick me out of here, but I’m too big of a player for that. He knows that if I’m here then serious money is involved. Hardy and I have a history as such. It’s more of a I fucked him, he tries to fuck me, but never quite succeeds. I slept with a girl years ago. Beautiful girl, all perfect curves and full lips. She tried to cling and I had to get brutal and kick her to the curb, hard. Turned out she was Hardy’s fiancé, and she left him for me. Ergo, he hates me and I don’t even remember her fucking name. Her tits though, I remember her tits.

“I actually came to make you an offer.” I walk slowly to the window and put my hands in my pockets. “I want the Wyatt shares you just bought.” I turn and meet his narrowed eyes.