“But I do have one condition: my blessing will be contingent on Jessie agreeing to finish high school.”

“That’s it?”

“What else is there? It’s not like I’ll have any control when she turns eighteen. She’ll have her inheritance and will probably wind up a bum.”

“I have to say I’m surprised you’d offer Jessie up like this.”

“I gave you my reasons, but here’s another: I despise what you’re doing, but if you’re willing to give up $3 million just to date her, your feelings must be genuine. And given the choice between dating you or getting knocked up by some pimply asshole who doesn’t give a shit about her, I’ll choose you in a heartbeat.”

Nicki studies me for several seconds. Then says, “I see what you’re up to.”

“What’s that?”

“You’re gonna give me and Jess enough rope to hang ourselves.”

“That’s a particularly ugly and thoughtless comment.”

“Personally, I thought it was clever, and apt as hell. Because I think you intend to hire a private detective to catch us in the act. Then you’ll give the evidence to the police, and with any luck, I’ll go to prison.”

“Not true, Nicki. I’m being completely sincere.”

“There’s a way to prove it.”

“I’m listening.”

“Go to court and have Jess emancipated. Furnish a written statement saying she has your permission to live with me after she turns sixteen.”

“Live with you?”

“Just when school’s out: summers, fall break, winter break…”

“If I do that, you’ll keep your mouth shut?”

“I will if you will.”

“Michael can’t know about this. I mean, about you.”

“Of course not. But he’s also not going to approve of me banging his sister, so you’ll have to find a way to keep him from harassing us.”

“Any suggestions?”

“No. And I’d say you’ve got an uphill battle.”

“I agree. But just to be clear: if Jessie changes her mind at any point and wants to end the relationship you’ll abide by the terms of our agreement?”

“Absolutely. I must say, you’re putting a lot of trust in Jessie to change her mind about loving me.”

“It’s simple math, Nicki. She’s fifteen, and you’re what, twenty-two?”

“Twenty-three.”

“She’ll change her mind. And if I’m wrong, at least I’ll know she’s happy.”

“What about holidays?” Nicki says.

“What do you mean?”

“Jess won’t know who I am and she won’t know about our agreement. She loves me, remember? She’ll expect me to visit from time to time during the school year. Not to mention Christmas, birthdays, cookouts, other family events.”

“Surely you don’t expect Michael and me to—”

“I don’t see how you’ll be able to keep her from inviting me. Or how I’ll be able to refuse her invitations. Remember, your agreement with her—other than attending high school—is no-strings.”

I think about that, then take a deep breath. “Okay, you win. I’ll pay the five million.”

“It’s insignificant compared to the estate,” she says.

I can see it on Nicki’s face: she thinks she kicked my ass just now. Yes, we went around and around, and in the end I paid her full price. But she didn’t beat me, I was willing to pay her five million from the start. But David taught me long ago that people like to haggle, and like to walk away from a negotiation thinking they got the better end of the deal. Nicki’s right: $5 million is a pittance relative to David’s estate, but I still wanted to make her work for it. Now that she’s happy with the deal she struck, she’ll get the hell out of our lives once and for all, and I saved a ton of money. Because this will not only keep Nicki’s hands off Jessie’s body, but also her inheritance. So good riddance, Nicki Hill. I hope you die a horrible death.

Part Three:
David Thorne

1.

Yesterday Morning

COULD THERE BE anything more humiliating than having Alison come home two hours from now to find me naked, swinging from a rope, covered in ejaculate, after masturbating to babysitter porn?

If there is, I can’t think of it.

But apart from mortifying the shit out of her, which she deserves, I’m practically guaranteeing my family will get an extra $7 million from my various accidental death policies and double indemnity life riders if I happen to die.

My only concern is the embarrassment this type of death would cause Jessie. Thankfully, she won’t have to see me like that, since Alison will shield her from the view.