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It wasn’t difficult to squash that reaction because I’m far too logical and pragmatic to let myself get dazzled by material goods when I’m here with a psycho stalker who seems like a ticking time bomb.
While I’m still perusing the jewelry, Derek comes back with a file folder in hand. I’m surprised he’s willing to give me access to the information he’s gathered about me.
That didn’t take long. The Downtown club is at least a ten minute drive. Maybe I got distracted by all the clothes. Any non-critical distraction with my state of mind right now is welcome.
“You didn’t try to run,” he observes. “Might have been fun playing hide ‘n seek, but I’m glad.” He kisses me, then shakes a file in his hand. “Interested in the birth mother? Background information about your adoptive parents? They’ve got life insurance policies willed to you, by the way. Their house is paid off. When they go you’ll have a decent inheritance, if you’re smart with the money it could’ve been a tidy retirement fund.”
I say nothing.
“I say could’ve because you won’t need a retirement fund because once you’re Mrs. Derek Steele you’ll be a multi-millionaire. I’ll hit the billionaire level by the time my father dies.”
I still say nothing.
“Aren’t you keeping any of it?” he asks.
“Huh?”
He tips his head in the direction of the clothing rack.
“I’m keeping all of it,” I state.
He looks surprised.
“If you’re willing to spend five figures on clothes for me and they’re clothes that match my style perfectly, of course I’ll keep them.”
I’m being bitchy in my reply, but it’s my new strategy. I just came up with it five seconds ago. Be bitchy. See if he decides he’s no longer obsessed with me.
“Here.” He hands me the file folder.
“Is this everything?” I ask.
“That’s what the private eye dug up for the background check on you and your family.”
“What else is there?”
“I have a file on Hallman. I have a file on Alannah Fisher. I’m having a file put together on your birth parents, though there’s a few paragraphs of information in there. If you don’t want the file, you don’t have to have it. But I ordered it in case you do.”
He sees a reaction and his eyes go warmer. “I suspected that’s why you were asking about the file. Want me to ask for a rush on it?”
I shake my head. “No.” I set the file down on the dresser. I don’t want to look this over now. I’m not sure I even want to see what’s in here. A thick file that’s supposed to encompass me?
“You want to see Hallman’s file?” he asks.
“No,” I say.
“Why?”
“Because Adam and I are history. You saw to that. His secrets are now moot.”
“Fair enough. Change your mind, let me know.” He looks at the rack. “You try anything on?”
I shake my head.
“Gonna let me pick your dress for tomorrow’s family thing?”
“I don’t want to meet your family.”
“I want you there with me,” he states.
