Read Online New Beginnings by Cheryl Douglas - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Cheryl Douglas
Ads: Link
plan to quit, startin’ today.” God willing.
Eric slid into a leather club chair, looking weary. “I see at least a dozen men pass through my courtroom every day because they can’t control their addictions. Sierra doesn’t need that in her life. She grew up with an alcoholic father. She sure as hell doesn’t need the stress of living with another good-for-nothing alcoholic. You’re no better than her father, you know. You may be rich and famous because you were born with a good singing voice, but underneath it all, you’re still a worthless drunk.”
Trey clenched his teeth so hard he was afraid he may crack a molar. “Why don’t we let Sierra decide whether she thinks I’m worthless?”
Eric glared at him. “I think she sent that message loud and clear when she divorced you. I know you may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but even you should be able to understand what that means. She’s done with you.”
“A million bucks says she calls the wedding off inside a month. Are your pockets deep enough to accept that kind of wager, old man?” Trey wasn’t used to wielding money like a weapon, but this man had a way of zeroing in on his deepest fears and insecurities.
“If you were my son, I’d whoop your ass, boy.”
Trey chuckled at the older man’s audacity. “Good thing I’m not, ‘cause you’re not man enough to take me on.”
Eric withdrew a cigar from his pocket. “Didn’t your daddy ever teach you to steer clear of another man’s woman?”
Trey nodded. “He did.”
“Well?”
“Sierra was my woman long before she was yours.”
“That was then. This is now.” He snipped the end of the cigar and set it between his teeth.
Trey laced his fingers behind his head. “We’ll see about that. I’m always up for a challenge. May the best man win.”
“What the hell am I, a blue ribbon at the county fair?”
Trey glanced over to see his former wife standing in the doorway with a murderous look in her eye. That look used to mean he had two choices: beg forgiveness or carry her off to the bedroom and make her forget his indiscretion. Since he was pretty sure the judge was packing heat, he chose the former.
Chapter Six
Trey had the gall to smile at her. She remembered that smile too well. It meant, Busted, but let me make it up to you. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction, not this time.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. Obviously, we were out of line,” Trey said, glancing at his adversary. “I think Eric and I can agree to disagree.”
Sierra took a deep, steadying breath. She felt like she was dealing with two petulant children instead of grown men. She turned toward her fiancé. “I’m only going to say this one more time, Eric. I’m working with Trey on this project because it will benefit the organization. He understands the ground rules.” She turned toward her former husband. “Isn’t that right, Trey?”
He shrugged his broad shoulders, feigning indifference. “I think after last night I know exactly where we stand, sweetheart.” He winked at her.
She wanted to smack that smug smile off his face. This was her life, her future, he was toying with, and she’d be damned if she’d let him get away with it.
Eric pointed his finger at Trey, his carefully controlled façade slipping. “Goddammit, Sierra. Can’t you see this man for the opportunist he is?” he shouted.
Trey got up off his stool and stepped between them. “I don’t think I appreciate your tone. You’ll speak to her with respect or you can get the hell off my property.”
She recognized the fury radiating from Eric. He was an intimidating man, used to getting his own way. In his world, his word was law, and he resented anyone who challenged his authority.
“That’s enough, both of you.” She grabbed Trey’s arm, forcing him to turn toward her. “Eric and I need a moment alone. Please.”
Trey turned his head to glare at the other man, considering her request. “I’ll be down
Eric slid into a leather club chair, looking weary. “I see at least a dozen men pass through my courtroom every day because they can’t control their addictions. Sierra doesn’t need that in her life. She grew up with an alcoholic father. She sure as hell doesn’t need the stress of living with another good-for-nothing alcoholic. You’re no better than her father, you know. You may be rich and famous because you were born with a good singing voice, but underneath it all, you’re still a worthless drunk.”
Trey clenched his teeth so hard he was afraid he may crack a molar. “Why don’t we let Sierra decide whether she thinks I’m worthless?”
Eric glared at him. “I think she sent that message loud and clear when she divorced you. I know you may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but even you should be able to understand what that means. She’s done with you.”
“A million bucks says she calls the wedding off inside a month. Are your pockets deep enough to accept that kind of wager, old man?” Trey wasn’t used to wielding money like a weapon, but this man had a way of zeroing in on his deepest fears and insecurities.
“If you were my son, I’d whoop your ass, boy.”
Trey chuckled at the older man’s audacity. “Good thing I’m not, ‘cause you’re not man enough to take me on.”
Eric withdrew a cigar from his pocket. “Didn’t your daddy ever teach you to steer clear of another man’s woman?”
Trey nodded. “He did.”
“Well?”
“Sierra was my woman long before she was yours.”
“That was then. This is now.” He snipped the end of the cigar and set it between his teeth.
Trey laced his fingers behind his head. “We’ll see about that. I’m always up for a challenge. May the best man win.”
“What the hell am I, a blue ribbon at the county fair?”
Trey glanced over to see his former wife standing in the doorway with a murderous look in her eye. That look used to mean he had two choices: beg forgiveness or carry her off to the bedroom and make her forget his indiscretion. Since he was pretty sure the judge was packing heat, he chose the former.
Chapter Six
Trey had the gall to smile at her. She remembered that smile too well. It meant, Busted, but let me make it up to you. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction, not this time.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. Obviously, we were out of line,” Trey said, glancing at his adversary. “I think Eric and I can agree to disagree.”
Sierra took a deep, steadying breath. She felt like she was dealing with two petulant children instead of grown men. She turned toward her fiancé. “I’m only going to say this one more time, Eric. I’m working with Trey on this project because it will benefit the organization. He understands the ground rules.” She turned toward her former husband. “Isn’t that right, Trey?”
He shrugged his broad shoulders, feigning indifference. “I think after last night I know exactly where we stand, sweetheart.” He winked at her.
She wanted to smack that smug smile off his face. This was her life, her future, he was toying with, and she’d be damned if she’d let him get away with it.
Eric pointed his finger at Trey, his carefully controlled façade slipping. “Goddammit, Sierra. Can’t you see this man for the opportunist he is?” he shouted.
Trey got up off his stool and stepped between them. “I don’t think I appreciate your tone. You’ll speak to her with respect or you can get the hell off my property.”
She recognized the fury radiating from Eric. He was an intimidating man, used to getting his own way. In his world, his word was law, and he resented anyone who challenged his authority.
“That’s enough, both of you.” She grabbed Trey’s arm, forcing him to turn toward her. “Eric and I need a moment alone. Please.”
Trey turned his head to glare at the other man, considering her request. “I’ll be down
Similar Books
