Lily looked back up at him.
“When we all got out of the service, we wanted to start the business, but they had no capital. They had the ideas; I had the money. My money combined with what they had managed to save was invested in the business. The land, being in my name, was to ensure I wasn’t left without anything since I took the most risk,” he explained.
“Beth and Razer’s home ...”
“Is on my property,” Shade confirmed. The money hadn’t meant anything to him—he had told the brothers that—but they had insisted he take the property as collateral.
“Oh, God.”
“There’s no need to be upset. I have no intention of taking their home from them … if we come to an agreement,” he clarified.
“What do you want, Shade?” A lone tear slid down her cheek.
He could have used that as leverage months before, but he hadn’t. He could have found something when he had first met her to force her to his bed, but he hadn’t. He had waited until she had almost died and lost her forever before he had realized he needed her, and by that point he wanted her more than the air he breathed. The only thing keeping him from being a true psychopath was his love for her. Without her, the empty void, which was his soul, would consume him.
“You.”
Lily shook her head. “You can’t be serious. You have to know this just makes me dislike you even more.”
“Lily, you don’t know what you want. You want a man who doesn’t exist. One who will never touch you, pretend you don’t have something seriously messed-up going on inside of your head, and be willing to put up with you constantly in some kind of trouble.”
“I am not,” Lily snapped.
Shade lifted his brow at her response and her inability to deny the truth of the other two statements.
“The man I want exists, and I know you’re not him.”
“I’m the only man for you.” Menace poured from him before he regained control, shrugging and nodding his head toward the phone. “Make your mind up.”
“Beth and Razer can build another house,” Lily argued.
“They certainly can, but it won’t be that house.”
“Razer and you are like brothers; you wouldn’t do that to him,” Lily tried to call his bluff.
“Yes, I would,” he stated matter-of-factly, letting her see the truth in his face.
“I can’t do this.” She pointed back and forth between them.
“I’m not going to rush you. We can go as slow as you want. I’m a patient man.” When you’re not trying to rip my balls off.
“I’m going to talk to Diamond.”
“I’ll take you to see her tomorrow after you get finished at the church.”
Those papers had been written by the best lawyer money could buy. There were no loopholes other than his death. Shade would have to be careful turning his back to her.
“If I can find a way, I will leave.”
“You can leave now, Lily. It’s your decision,” he reminded her. She might not like the consequences, but it was her choice to make, for better or worse.
“Okay.” Lily gave in, staring down at the papers in her hand.
“Good, now that it’s settled, we need to take care of your punishment for nearly ripping my balls off.”
“I became caught up in our lesson,” Lily defended her actions.
“You were pissed at me for something. Care to tell?” Shade waited to see if she would admit the truth.
Lily remained silent, however.
“All right.” Shade leaned forward. “Let’s begin with Jewell. She closed the door to my office when Cash called. Kaley broke the rules. I really didn’t give a fuck if she tried to join the club or not. She would never have gotten enough votes to, anyway, so it’s no loss.
“Now, let’s talk about your punishment. I’m going to be lenient this time”—he paused at Lily’s unladylike snort—“and give you your choice of punishment.”
“What are the choices?”
Shade had no doubt she wasn’t going to be happy with any of them.
“You can take the spanking you deserve, or you can sleep in the bed tonight, or you can give me one kiss. Take your pick.”
“You’re not serious?”
“Yes, I am being more than fair. It hurt like hell when you grabbed my nuts. None of your choices involve excruciating pain.”
“That strap looks like it’s going to hurt.”
“I plan for you to enjoy that.” Shade gave her a grin.
Lily shivered.
“Which one?” Shade prompted her. “Would you like me to pick for you?”
“No! I’ll sleep in the bed,” Lily said reluctantly.
“You sure?”
Lily nodded.