Page 25 of Quid Pro Beau

“Well, isn’t this domestic,” Timothy says, his posh British accent making every syllable sound pretentious and judgmental.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I ask.

Mouse growls, low and deep in his throat.

“Is that?” Beau asks.

“Yep.”

Beau hands me the leash. “Go inside. I’ve got this.” He steps out onto the porch.

I’m not going inside because I’m nosy as hell and want to see what’s going to happen. I don’t have anything to say to Timothy. I got all I needed when he gave me that lump sum of money and signed away his parental rights.

“I don’t believe you and I have any business, sir,” Timothy says.

“Oh, but we really do,” Beau snarls.

“I made a mistake, Daisy. Please forgive me.”

“What’s the matter, Timothy? Did your wife kick you out?” I ask.

“I just want another chance with you,” Timothy pleads.

I look him up and down and wonder what the hell I ever saw in him. Once upon a time he’d been charming and handsome and so romantic. But it had all been a charade.

“You don’t deserve another chance,” Beau says, his voice is low and deadly. “You don’t even deserve to look at her, let alone breathe the same air as her.”

“Oh, and I suppose you think you deserve her?” Timothy asks Beau.

“No. I know I don’t deserve her. But I also know that no one will take care of her the way I will. No one will ever love her and her baby the way I will.”

I think my heart stops beating. He doesn’t mean that. Right? I mean he’s just saying that to Timothy to make him go away.

“That is not your child,” Timothy says.

“It’s not yours either, motherfucker,” Beau says. “Since you already signed your rights away.”

“Daisy, can you call off your beast?” Timothy asks.

“I don’t think I will,” I say. “I’m rather enjoying this.”

“Does this man speak for you?” the sperm donor asks.

“I said everything I needed to say to you back in London. We have nothing to discuss.” I put my hand on my stomach, trying to protect my daughter from hearing anything out of Timothy’s mouth. “I am not your concern. My child is not your concern. I can’t imagine why you would have spent the money to fly yourself all the way to Texas for this ridiculous display.”

“Backwater state,” Timothy murmurs.

“You had your chance with her. You threw it away,” Beau says. “I should kick your ass up and down this street. But I think your pencil dick and that nasal-quality of your voice is probably punishment enough.” He takes a step towards Timothy. “Now get the fuck off my property.”

“Do not contact me again,” I say. “Or I’ll be forced to take legal actions.” I have no clue if that’s even an option, but it sounds good in that moment.

Timothy opens his mouth like he’s going to say something, but Beau takes another step towards him. “Whatever it is you think you need to stay, don’t. Just walk to your fancy town-car and go back where you came from.”

There’s a pause and then the sperm donor turns and stalks to his car without another word.

We stand in silence as the black sedan drives away.

I’m not sure what to say to Beau now. Do I tell him I know he wasn’t making promises or declarations, that he was only protecting me?