Nick’s Obsession (The Billionaire’s Obsession 3)

“It’s none of your concern how I interact with my family and for the record Max and I were never close. He was too busy setting up his company while I tried to live my life here. When I first moved here I called him a lot, informing him about things, but he never cared. Then the calls became less and less and he didn’t care then either. Because we never were close enough to care about each other’s lives. When I got attacked I considered calling him, but I knew he’d make a big deal out of it so I didn’t. I told Brandon instead.”

“Emily.” Nick sighed, “You should have called him. I know you think of Brandon as your brother, but you can’t change the fact that Max is your actual brother and despite what you think he actually does care about you. If he didn’t he wouldn’t have shown up today.”

“Well, it took him long enough to actually give a crap about me again.” I narrowed my eyes on Nick, “I wonder why, maybe because I’m in a relationship with you? Have you stopped to think about that? He had plenty of opportunities to show up, but he shows up now? Don’t you find the timing odd?”

Turning on my heels I walked back to the bedroom to finish up getting ready for the day. I didn’t feel like doing my hair and makeup anymore. I shrugged my robe off, slipped my panties and bra on and searched for something to wear. Not feeling like dressing up either I grabbed a simple long black dress, threw it on and slipped into some flats.

“He is your brother.” Nick had followed me, obviously not done with the conversation, “You don’t treat your family like that.”

“Just because we share DNA doesn’t mean he is my family.”

“It actually does mean that.” Nick threw back at me, “He is worried about you.”

I hated that he kept saying that to me. He met Max like five seconds ago so why the hell was he on his side? He didn’t know Max at all, he knew me for months. It flared my annoyance hearing him talk like that about my brother.

“I’m so glad you like Max.” I told him snottily, “Then you can go meet him for lunch by yourself.”

He grabbed my wrist when I tried to walk away from him, “You’re going too, Em.”

I tried to pull away from him but he wouldn’t let me, “No I’m not.”

He tightened his grip on my wrist, “Yes, you are.”

He wasn’t letting it go so instead of keeping the loop going I turned around and faced him, “Why do you need me to go? What does it matter? You can tell Max I’m doing fine and send him off.”

He released my wrist but didn’t back off, he was all up in my space, “I need you to show and have an actual conversation with your brother. I need the woman who I’m having a child with to not turn her back on her family.”

“What are you trying to say?” I knew this wasn’t about Max anymore, it was something different that nagged at him.

“What I’m trying to say is that if you can easily turn your back to someone who you grew up with, treating him like a complete stranger what makes me or our child any different?”

I couldn’t believe he said that. I actually felt him stab me with a knife and twist it. The pain was spreading across my body, making it hard for me to breath. Whoever said words didn’t hurt was a fool.

“I can’t believe you’re saying that.” The words were barely a whisper but the pain that flashed across Nick’s eyes told me he heard me, “Fuck you.”

The words left my lips before I even realized what I said. I regretted it the minute I said it though. Not being able to deal with it a second longer I dashed out the room, hearing Nick’s footsteps behind me but I didn’t turn around, not once. I grabbed my bag from the living room and headed out the door.

“Emily!”

I didn’t stop once, I kept walking ignoring the tears streaming down my face. I was about to reach the elevator when Nick grabbed me by the shoulder and spun me around to face him.

“Things were getting out of hand.” He didn’t comment on me being a total bitch to him, maybe he was letting it go because he knew it was only because of emotions running high, but I couldn’t let it go, “Let’s go back inside, calm down and talk about it. We’ll tell Max-”

“I need space.” I told him my eyes on his leather shoes instead, “I’m going to meet Brandon and take a minute. You do whatever you want. I just can’t right now.”

He placed both his hands on my shoulders, holding tightly onto me, “We had a fight, it got intense. I know it scared you, but we’ll get through it. We just need to calm down and discuss it. We’ll be alright.”

I nodded, finally meeting his eyes. He looked worried, pain spread across his face. Seeing that look on his face gripped my heart, only making me regret my words more.

“I know, but I really need space right now.”

He held my gaze for a while before he let go, “Got it. I’ll give you space, but do me a favor to ease my mind, let Miles take you to Brandon’s and also pick you up whenever you’re ready.”

I could do that. I knew Nick would always worry about me.

“Okay.”

“See you later.”

I closed my eyes when he leaned in kissed me. Normally his kisses made me burst with happiness, this time his kiss hurt. It was like he was trying to mend things. He didn’t have to though. It was me who was the one who went out of line.

“I’m sorry.” I whispered when I pulled away, “See you later.”

I stepped into the elevator when it arrived and turned around to look at him, “We’ll be okay, Em.” He told me before the door closed.

Sighing I closed my eyes and leaned back, this was our first major fight and I hated it. I hated that I told him that, I really wished I could go back in time and take it back. The thing was you could never take back what you said. It would be between us forever. I knew Nick brushed it off as if it didn’t happen, but I knew better. The mind was a tricky thing. He’d remember it.