Robert studied him for a moment. “Is this because Dane has Mirage in Montana? Is that what this is about? You’re jealous. You two were always in competition with each other.”
Now it was Ethan’s turn to laugh. “Now who’s foolish? Dane and I have planned this for years. We’re not in competition. We work together as a team, something you would never understand. We were never going to sit back and let you keep what belonged to us.”
Robert’s cheeks turned red as he puffed his chest with a big, deep breath. Every part of Ethan wanted to laugh at his stepfather trying to appear intimidating. That affect had come and gone years ago. Ethan couldn’t wait to squash him and kick the bastard out of his life forever.
He only wished Dane were here to see all of this.
“And you think it’s as easy as you just telling me what you want?” he retorted.
Before Ethan could reply, Robert circled him and went to the minibar to pour a drink.
“I’d offer you one, but you’re not staying,” Robert stated, tossing back the tumbler. “And as far as those documents, shove them up your—”
“Don’t be so clichéd with your insults.” Ethan shoved his hands in his pockets and glared across the room. “You’ve been laundering money and evading a good portion of your taxes for years. Well over a decade, actually.”
Robert’s eyes narrowed, but he remained silent...the one smart thing he’d done.
“I have proof, and with one word from me, I can have half a dozen law enforcement officials on you within minutes.”
“You’re bluffing,” Robert accused. “You wouldn’t do that to Harper.”
No, he wouldn’t purposely hurt Harper, but he wouldn’t stop the inevitable, either. Everything that spiraled out of control now had been set in motion by Robert years ago.
Ethan took a step closer, then another, until the only thing between them was that narrow bar. “Is that a risk you’re willing to take?”
The muscles in Robert’s jaw clenched as his grip around his empty tumbler tightened and his knuckles turned white. Ethan waited for him to toss the glass across the room, but the raging fit never came.
“Does Harper know you’re blackmailing her father?”
“Harper doesn’t know, because I haven’t let her in on what a bastard you truly are...yet,” Ethan tossed back. “But if you want to show all your hands, go see whose side she takes.”
This part actually was a bluff—Ethan had no idea if she’d take his side. She likely would hate them both. He couldn’t fault her for hating him, but even if she never wanted to see him again, he’d use every trick in his arsenal to make sure Robert didn’t stay in her life, either. She deserved better than his poison.
“Oh, you think she’s going to cling to your side when you reveal that I’m some big, bad monster?” Robert tossed back. “Sex doesn’t mean a damn thing. That girl thrives on family. She doesn’t care about money, which is why she won’t make it far in her career. But that means she’ll choose me over you any day.”
Oh, she’d make it far, because she had common sense and a heart for serving others. She’d make it because she was headstrong and resilient.
And she’d choose him because he was giving her a new family.
It was on the tip of his tongue to mention the baby, but Ethan wasn’t going to reveal that bit of news. He had to keep his family protected.
The reality of the situation hit him hard. Dane wasn’t the only one Ethan was fighting for. Harper and their child were every bit his family now...and he cared for them.
He cared for Harper. His heart had entered the equation when he wasn’t looking. He’d been so focused on this takeover and his revenge, he’d had no clue that he was falling for the innocent in all of this.
He wouldn’t lose her. He refused to imagine his world without everything he wanted. There didn’t have to be an either-or decision. Ethan wanted it all.
“I’m done here,” Ethan stated. “You can either sign the papers or you can face prison time. Your future is in my hands, but I’m kind enough to give you a say.”
Robert jaw eased back and forth as he seemed to give his options some consideration. Finally, he glanced down to his empty glass and gave a curt nod.
“You win.”
Two words had never sounded sweeter. All these years, all the times he’d wondered if he would ever see this day, the moment had finally come.
But Ethan knew not to let his guard down so fast. Robert was a shark—he was ruthless and never one to just give in out of the kindness of his black heart.
“I’ll have dinner with you and Harper and explain I have to leave on business,” Robert went on.