She grinned, feeling more confident with every word the lawyer spoke.
Ben tuned the page and continued to paraphrase. “In the event of any domestic violence, Miss Masini has the right to terminate the marriage and will obtain one hundred million dollars. Said funds will be placed in an account on the first day of marriage and held in trust until the completion of the contract.”
Hunter’s smile fell, and for the first time since walking into the office, Gabi felt exposed.
“I’ll never hurt you,” he said softly.
I’ve heard that before.
Staring directly at Hunter, she said, “Please continue, Mr. Lipton.”
“In the event of Miss Masini bearing your child, half of your net worth will be placed in a trust for your child. The marriage can be terminated at any time after a pregnancy is determined, and the home you purchase will be free to live in until your son or daughter reaches eighteen or graduates from high school.”
Hunter frowned.
“That’s an expensive child.”
She leaned forward, made sure he understood her words.
“The only way a child would be conceived between us would be through force. I’m assuring my safety, Hunter.”
It was his turn to hold her eyes with his own. “Anything else, Ben?”
“Standard stuff . . . if you both agree to early divorce, the original payout is applied.”
Hunter twisted his phone toward her. “Get your attorney on the phone . . . I have a couple of conditions of my own.”
Two hours later, Gabi agreed that if she were to have an affair, the settlement would be half of the expected twenty-four million. The home would be sold within one year of divorce, and any child not his would keep her maiden name and be entitled to half of the final settlement.
By the time Mr. Lipton left Hunter’s office, the hour closed in on three.
Gabi’s back ached from sitting in the office chair, the view from Hunter’s office forever burned in her brain.
They discussed marriage in terms she never thought possible.
There was a day in her life that love and devotion were once a part of till death do us part. She knew better now.
There were many examples of “good marriages” around her . . . but she couldn’t help but question. What didn’t she know . . . what was happening behind the scenes that no one spoke of?
It made her sick . . . the questioning . . . the wondering.
The memories.
“We missed lunch,” Hunter said when they were alone.
The agreement was made . . . the contracts sat in front of them, waiting for their signatures.
“I don’t think I can eat,” she muttered.
He was silent until she met his gaze.
For the first time since they’d met, Hunter Blackwell’s shoulders slid . . . and his eyes softened. His next words were quietly spoken. “I’ve never laid a violent hand to a woman, Gabi. You will not be my first.”
The image of Alonzo smiling as the needle slid into her vein came from nowhere. He hadn’t forced anything on her, either.
“That’s little comfort.”
Hunter stood and approached as if to a frightened animal.
Hadn’t she gotten past that? The fear stage and on to the fight?
Before he could say anything, she swiped the contracts from his side of the desk, grasped a pen, and signed her name.
Tomorrow she would begin the task of removing her name from anything and everything Alonzo Picano.
Today . . . or at least until she signed her name to a marriage agreement, she would simply be Gabriella Masini.
Soon-to-be wife of Hunter Blackwell.
The blackmailed wife of a ruthless billionaire, the widow of a soul burning in hell.
Chapter Six
Twenty-four hours after she signed the agreement, he called to ask her ring size.
The contract was signed and recorded on the third day . . . on the fourth, a Thursday, they stood in the private quarters of a justice of the peace and exchanged meaningless vows.
Hunter didn’t bother attempting a kiss, and the judge didn’t ask for it.
He’d done it.
Marriage within two weeks of the initial onset of his unsolvable problem.
He turned to the pale stranger beside him as he walked out of the courthouse and felt every ruthless cell in his body.
“I honestly wish it didn’t have to be this way,” he said almost to himself.
“Excuse me?” Gabi asked.
“Nothing.” He motioned her to the waiting limo and took her to her Tarzana home.
They wouldn’t reside in the same house until Gabi agreed to a home.
Having little choice, Hunter walked behind Gabi as she approached her front door.
Like Remington had said, the home had an advanced security system, which Gabi disengaged the moment she stepped into the house.
The light furnishings were in direct contrast to anything Hunter owned. The pale green sofa and floral pillows were subtle and calming.
He watched in fascination as Gabi dropped her purse on the hall table. The table housed the flowers he’d sent. There must have been a look of surprise on his face.