Read Online The Quarterback Sneak by Liz Matis - Free Book Online

Liam.”
    Shrugging, he smiled at her. “I’m not going
to let you go to jail.”
    Her father cleared his throat. “First, there
is the little matter of the pre-nup.”
    Liam didn’t flinch continuing to hold her
gaze.
    She mouthed, “I’m sorry.”
    “It’s a basic pre-nup,” her father
continued. “You keep what you have, she keeps what she has. Your
finances are to remain separate. No marital assets. When you
divorce, McQueen, you’ll walk away with five million.”
    She wished she had drunk the glass of
champagne to take away the sting of it all. She didn’t know why she
was surprised. This wasn’t a love match—it was a business deal.
“Only five? I’d hold out for ten, Liam.”
    “This isn’t a football contract.” Her father
pounded a fist on the desk.
    “You just made it one,” Liam said back with
just as much force. She bit her lip as he reviewed the pages. “I’ll
sign it, but first I want the judge to agree to lift Hayden’s
probation. I won’t have the threat of jail hanging over her head.”
He threw the contract onto the desk. “Or mine.”
    Hayden’s eyes widened. She’d never seen
anything so sexy in her life. Was it because of the way he stood up
to her father?
    “The judge won’t agree to it.”
    “Yes, I will,” said Judge Mayer from the
door. “I was already planning on it.” He walked in pulling a
document from his suit jacket and handed it to a shocked Hayden. “A
wedding present.”
    “Thank you, Judge Mayer,” her father
said.
    “My pleasure.” He pulled out another piece
of paper. “Of course, let’s not forget the marriage license.”
    Another favor her father would owe to the
judge. Hayden’s hand shook as she signed it, but she noticed Liam’s
hand didn’t. What was he thinking? Why wasn’t he jumping ship?
    “That leaves the pre-nup,” said the lawyer,
handing it to Liam.
    Hayden held her breath.
    Liam scratched out the five million dollar
figure and wrote $0.00, initialed the change, and then signed on
the dotted line. “I don’t want your daughter’s money.”
    She couldn’t believe Liam did that for her.
Tears sprung to her eyes.
    “Idiot,” said her brother.
    “Harry!” Hayden shot him a look, but she
wouldn’t let him ruin this moment.
    That Liam stood up to her father made her
believe that maybe one day she could too. Her heart swelled with
pride for the man she was about to marry. And perhaps it swelled
with love too. Oh God, she was in love with her
shotgun-husband-to-be.
    “Now I’d like to have a moment alone with my
bride.”
    To see her father rendered speechless
would’ve been worth the five million dollars, but to see him
dismissed was so much more than that. It was priceless.

Chapter 11

    L iam craved a Scotch on the
rocks like a dying man craved one more day of life. With an
arrogant smirk, he could face down a 350-pound defensive linebacker
intent on crushing him to the turf. Standing up to his billionaire
boss/father-in-law took a different kind of courage.
    But it was convincing Hayden to go through
with the wedding that struck fear in his heart. What if he failed?
What if she insisted on going to jail for five years rather than
marry him? But as soon as everyone had left the room, Hayden kissed
him like she couldn’t wait until they consummated their union later
tonight. At least he hoped she did. Did she realize what he
expected? Desired? Needed? Before he could ask, the butler informed
them that Mrs. McQueen had arrived.
    An hour later, a bead of sweat broke over
his brow as he watched his mother and Hayden together. What were
they talking about? He’d told his mother about the engagement, but
not the reason behind it.
    He’d worried his mother enough over the
years, and he’d sworn he’d never be the cause of concern again or a
disappointment. Her learning the truth about the pending nuptials
would be worse than taking the drink he so desperately craved. His
mother was his rock and never gave up on him. Never