“The truth. That her Aunt left her and wouldn’t be coming back.”
“How could you?”
“I’m her mother. I’m all she needs.” Ginny yanks Ellie off me, but she kicks free and grabs hold of me again.
“Don’t leave me,” Ellie sobs against me.
I stare at my brother and his wife before turning my confusion to Felix. Finally, I look down to Ellie. Staying here can only make things worse for Ellie. At least, in the short term. But I realize now I have no choice. I can’t let Malcolm sell Windfall any more than I can trust them to put Ellie’s interests first.
Dropping to one knee, I wrap my arms around Ellie and look into her tear-stained eyes. Every ounce of me hurts, knowing I have to leave her here, even for a minute. “I have to go today, but I will be back for you. I will never leave you.” I reach up to draw a small heart on her chest. “I’m always here.”
She places a soft palm on my chest. “And I’m here?”
I choke back a sob. “Always.” I hug her tightly, closing my eyes to the venomous expression on Ginny’s face. “Felix will take care of you, and I will see you before you can even miss me.”
“Promise?” she says in her tiny voice.
“Don’t you dare,” Ginny warns me. “Don’t you dare say yes. You have no right.”
I release Ellie and she runs over to Felix. Standing, I nod to him and he picks her up. “Let’s go see about a cookie.”
Thank God for Felix and his cookies. I wait until they’re gone.
“I have every right,” I tell her. Ginny opens her mouth to argue, but I cut her off, “Tell her, Malcolm.”
The color drains from Ginny’s face and she spins to face her husband. “What does she mean by that?”
Malcolm squares his shoulders, ignoring her to glare at me. “Get the fuck out of here.”
“You’ll hear from my lawyers,” I say.
This actually makes him laugh. “You don’t have lawyers. The family does, and I think I’ve made it pretty clear that you’re no longer a member of this family.”
“I’ve lived in Valmont my whole life,” I remind him. “I know a lot of lawyers.”
“I will bury you with litigation,” he threatens me. “This will never see the light of day. You don’t have the resources to fight me for this house.”
“I don’t want the house,” I say softly. “I want what’s mine, and I know someone who has the resources to help me.”
“Sterling Ford?” he guesses. “Who do you think is selling the company back to me? He’s only looking out for himself.”
“What?” I can’t process what he’s telling me. Why would Sterling give up his interest in MacLaine Media now? I had to stop him. I had to explain what’s really at stake.
“You know what kind of man he is,” Malcolm says. “I knew the moment I met him. He’s ruthless, cold, manipulative. He would make a better MacLaine than you do.”
I calmly walk to where Felix placed my boxes when he took Ellie to the kitchens. Picking them up, I carry them to join the box on the table. It’s a little awkward, but I can’t leave them behind. Not now. Not when I know he’ll throw them out before I can come back for them.
When I reach the door, I fumble for the handle, barely opening it while Ginny and Malcolm look on.
I’m two steps out the door when Malcolm calls after me, “There’s nothing you can say to change his mind. The deal is done.”
I don’t bother responding to him. I need to leave before he realizes he let me walk out of this house with everything I need to destroy him. He thinks there’s nothing I can do to change Sterling’s mind about selling the company? We’ll see about that.
27
Sterling
I’ve lost my mind. It’s the only way to account for what I’ve just done. Stepping out of Laird & Wharton, I ignore the cellphone buzzing in my pocket. It’s probably Sutton trying to talk me out of signing the initial documents again. I can’t blame her. If I told myself two months ago what I’d be doing today, I might have kicked my own ass.
“Mr. Ford.” Cameron Laird, my new lawyer, rushes out, clutching a folder. “You left this. It has your copies of the initial documents. Once we receive final signatures, we’ll be able to move forward.”
I take the folder from her and tuck it under my arm. “Thank you, Ms. Laird. I’ll wait for your call.”
“May I call you Sterling?” she asks. She brushes a blonde strand of hair from her eyes and tucks it behind her ear. It’s the only thing about Ms. Laird that’s out of place. Everything from her no-nonsense black pant suit to her simple diamond earrings and carefully styled hair presents a business woman. It’s why her question is so surprising.
“My friends do,” I say.
“Sterling, as your friend,” she begins, planting a hand on her hip, “Not as your lawyer, can I ask you if you’re sure? I don’t want to see you make a mistake. You’d make more going through a private broker to find an accredited investor.”
“This isn’t about money,” I say to her.
“I thought everything was about money.” Her crimson lips purse into a bemused smile. “If it’s not about money, it must be about love. You’re a fool if you go through with either option.”
“Believe me, I’m a fool if I don’t.”
She checks her watch. “I need to get back to my next appointment. I’ll be in touch.” She takes a step and hesitates. “Think it over.”
I nod, knowing there’s no way she or anyone else is going to convince me to take another course of action. I bought into MacLaine Media to undermine it. It’s what Angus and Malcolm MacLaine deserved. They still deserve it, but I can’t go through with my plan without hurting Adair. So, I don’t have any other options, and I have
