Chapter 39

**Artemis**


Blue walks in with a man I don’t recognize. He’s tall and good looking, and I hate him the second my eyes lay on him. Is this the man she’d been talking to?

“Mr. Rhodes, it’s nice to put a face to the voice. I’m Liam-“

“I know who you are.” I don’t but I won’t give him the satisfaction of seeing a weakness in my knowledge. “Let’s just get this over with.”

“Of course.” He smiles like we’re friends and it only makes my hatred for him grow.

This is ridiculous! If I knew this was the lawyer Blue would have brought in I would have willingly spoken with her so that he would never get near her again.

“This is my lawyer.” I point to my lawyer and they politely greet one another. “Take a seat.”

Once we’re all seated the lawyers get right into the details of both of our contracts.

“I think her choice of employment is a reasonable request. Mr. Rhodes should not put such restrictions on his wife.” Blue’s lawyer says.

“He is not preventing her from working…”

“No? Because that is what I’m reading here. You tried working things past Blue by not making things clear for her. She isn’t a lawyer and wouldn’t understand most of the things in this contract the way it’s written. You tried to trick my client and I won’t let that happen. If Mr. Rhodes is not willing to meet my clients small requests, then perhaps their arrangement…” He says the word like it’s acid on his tongue. “…should end here and he can look for someone else to help him with his…predicament.”

“I’m supposed to get married on Sunday. Who do you think I’ll be able to find on such short notice?” I ask.
“Frankly that isn’t my client’s concern. With no written agreement in place she can walk away and not be held responsible for any trouble caused to you.” The asshole of a lawyer says with a smug tone, and I swear he smirks at me.

He thinks he can come in here and convince Blue to leave me, but he won’t. I’ve already decided that she’s mine and I don’t give up until I get what I want. If she thinks this act with the lawyers is going to drive me away then she will be sadly disappointed. She’s injected me with her venom and changed me into something possessed. I’m not myself anymore, and I hate it but I’m also getting a preview of what I’ve been missing. I never let myself connect with people, but that’s what I want with her. I’m also realizing I’ve neglected a lot of people in my life. Like my sisters. I’ve seen Rhea more in the last few days than I have in the last five years.

“What do you want Blue? Let’s talk about it.” I say interrupting whatever the lawyers were saying.

Her eyes snap to me and she looks shocked by my question.

“Well? You don’t agree with the contract I gave you so let’s write a new one together.” I open the drawer of my desk and pull out a legal pad. “We’ll make a rough draft now and I’ll have Abigail write the new contract for us to sign. Does that sound agreeable?”

She looks at me for a minute with a decerning eye. I know she’s trying to figure me out, but I do my best not to show her anything. Thankfully I don’t wear my feelings on my face like she does, or I would be screwed.

“Yeah, okay. I’ll start.” I set a pen down on the top of the legal pad and slide it across the desk to her.”

“I already wrote this in the new contract.” She says after picking up the pen.

“And your lawyer said that legal jargon doesn’t make sense to you, so write it in your own words and I’ll do the same. Maybe if things were rawer and less polished, they wouldn’t sound so offensive.”

She shrugs and starts to write. She only writes a few things before she replaces the top on the pen and slides the pad back to me. I move it closer and read over what she’s written.

*Blue’s Rules (Cool name right?)…That makes me smile.

Rule #1: Artemis must wear pajamas to bed from now on.

Rule #2: Intimate acts of physical touch should be fully discussed beforehand. (AKA no surprise kissing me in front of your family asshole.)

Rule #3: Artemis is required to come home for dinner each night. (That means taking a break from work mister.)

Rule #4: Artemis shall take me on a date at least once a month. (Not fancy restaurants, that’s a cop out. I mean a real date that takes effort to plan.)

Rule #5: Artemis must allow me to hold a part time job at Monica’s café. (I love that place and my friends are important to me.)

Rule #6: When Artemis and I argue, no one is allowed to go to bed angry. (That means having honest open conversations like the adults we are. So, no silent glaring.)

Rule#7: I agree to having a child when I’m ready, but I will not allow my child to be carried in anyone else’s body. I will carry our child to term and raise them. (I never had a real mother, and I won’t treat my child like they mean nothing to me.)*


Seven rules. None of which involves financial gain or property rights. No mention of a pay-out if our marriage should end for any reason.

Seven simple rules that most people would think were obvious in a relationship but it’s as if she knew I needed things to be explained in straight terms because that’s what she’s done. She’s explained each of her requests, in her own colorful way, but in a way that’s very clear.

How could I not agree to her terms?
“These are acceptable.” I tell her and watch her eyes light up.

She didn’t think I would agree, but I want to make her happy. We’re headed into unfamiliar territory for both of us so this won’t be easy, but I can agree to try.

“What about you?” She asks.

I consider what I had written in the first contract and realize I wrote those things out of fear. I like to control every aspect of my life and figured this would be no different. Blue would know what’s expected of her and things would run smoothly, but she isn’t a business deal. She was right…I don’t treat people the way I should, and I tried to push my will on her like I do with everyone.

That thought makes me feel sick. Without realizing it, I’ve become too much like my father. I have become exactly what he wanted me to be. A ruthless business owner without a human bone in his body.

With that in mind I make a list of my own.

*Artemis’s Law (An equally cool name.)

Rule #1: Blue will wear one of my t-shirts to bed every night.

Rule #2: I will always ask permission before being intimate with you. (But let’s be honest you liked that kiss.)

Rule #3: I agree to be home no later than seven, and I agree to bring dinner home with me. Blue will be required to pick what we eat. (That is a fight I want to avoid.)

Rule #4: I will take you on as many dates as you want within my ability. (I work a lot.) Blue will have to help plan as well given my inexperience in this field. (I also reserve the right to veto anything crazy.)

Rule #5: Blue may work part time at Monica’s café, but also accept financial assistance from me. (We’ll be married Blue, it’s my right and responsibility to take care of you financially. I won’t budge on that.) I will provide her with a card allowing her access to an account with funds set aside for whatever she may need.

Rule #6: If we fight I will try to communicate, however, glaring is my default and it may take time to adjust. (Allow some time for me to become a great communicator)

Rule #7: When Blue is ready to have a child, I have no objections with her carrying our baby and caring for them. I will also be involved as much as possible so that they have a steady father in their life. (I won’t avoid them like my parents did.) I do ask to be allowed to provide middle names, and that they carry my last name. (Just like their mother will.)*

When I’m done I set the pen aside and push the paper to Blue. She takes it and I watch her eyes move along each line of writing. The corner of her lips quirks up as soon as she starts but it falls suddenly. Her eyes lift to mine and that glossy look of unshed tears appears in her eyes. What part has her wanting to cry?

“Do you agree to my terms?” I ask carefully.

She smiles at me and nods quickly. “I agree.”