Chapter Six

She could feel herself shaking as fear raced through her. He could easily take Corey from her. He had the money and knew the right people to make it happen, so she wouldn’t be able to fight him or to see her baby. Oh, God, she would die if that happened.

“I just want to hold him,” King said.

A hundred thoughts went through her mind on what she needed to do to run because she wouldn’t give him up.

First, she needed to get rid of him. “Just this once.” She took a few steps forward and handed Corey to King. She tried not to notice the look of awe on his face or the connection between the two already as they stared at each other in the eyes for a long moment.

She had no idea how long they stood there before Corey started fussing. She reached for him when he turned and held his hands out to her.

He cuddled against her chest. “See, he needs me.”

King looked confused. “I never said he didn’t.” He sighed. “I know we never talked about it, but I’ve always wanted children.”

“First of all, why would you talk to your whore about a family?”

“Don’t call yourself that,” he said with a growl.

“I didn’t. You did. Secondly, you’ll have to ask one of your other whores to give you one. You can’t have this one. Please leave.”

His scowl darkened. “I told you not to call yourself that, and I don’t have any whores.”

“Maybe your parents can find a suitable woman for you.”

“You were.”

She laughed, but it hurt her chest. “No, remember, we’d been together about a year, and you’d never invited me to your house or to meet your parents. You never took me to any of the functions you went to because you were embarrassed by me. I just didn’t see it at the time because all I saw was you. You may not want me to call myself a whore, but I was, and I’ll never be one again. Please leave.”

He sighed. “This isn’t the last time we’ll talk, baby.”

She stayed silent until the door closed behind him, and then a wild, desperate sound came from her, making Corey fuss.

She needed to settle down for Corey’s sake. “I know, baby. I’m so sorry. I’ll protect you, I swear. But, right now, let’s get you fed and in your bath. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

He giggled. “Bath, bath, bath.”

She tried to laugh. “Yes, Mommy knows you like your baths. I think you were a fish in another life.”

“Fish, fish, fish,” Corey yelled.

Cat kept her mind on Corey and got through to his bedtime before she walked into her bathroom, shut the door, sank down to the floor, and sobbed until she gagged.

God, what was she going to do? She couldn’t lose her son. He was the only thing she lived for, and if he were taken from her, that would be it. She’d like to think she could fight, but how did you fight a billionaire and a pillar of the community? She didn’t have a chance.

Cat stood and washed her face. The only person that she thought could help her was Larkin, but her daddy was friends with King. It was her only chance.

She sat on her bed and called her. This would be the first time she’d talked to her since King had thrown her out. She thought of calling her so many times, but it just hurt so much.

The butler answered and then put the call through to Larkin since Darian wasn’t home.

“Oh, my God. I’ve been looking for you. What’s going on?” Larkin asked.

“Is there any chance you can meet me tomorrow? I need your help.”

“Of course,” Larkin said. “Where?”

“There’s a coffee shop on Wellsburg and Fourteenth. Can you be there about one? That’s right after I drop Corey off.”