“Yes.”
“You are my wife. Javier is my son. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
The chandelier above the table hums as he studies me. His eyes stop on each fading, yellow bruise and cut. I hope somewhere in the reaches of his conscience he feels the pain he inflicted.
“I’m happy to hear you understand. I’m sorry I had to take such measures to convince you. Look what you make me do. How crazy you make me. But, because I want to make you happy, I’ve decided not to go after Mr. Hunter.”
My mouth opens with the shock I feel. “You have?”
“Yes, so long as you remain a good wife, I will leave Mr. Hunter alone.”
“I’m completely devoted to you, Eduardo. Only you.”
The lie falls out of my mouth with ease as I know eventually I’ll find a way to flee my prison and take my son. And if I don’t, Tug will.
“Good, because I’m leaving tonight. I had something come up that requires my attention.”
“And you have to go now?” I say, feigning disappointment. Playing the good wife makes me nauseous. I don’t know how much longer I can ignore the disdain and pretend to have a shred of concern for this man.
“Unfortunately, I have to leave after dinner.”
I practically sit on my hands to avoid clapping in celebration.
“I’ll be lonely why you’re gone. Can’t I go with you?” I ask for good measure, already aware that if he could take me, I’d be going.
“Not this time. I wish you could.”
“Me, too,” I lie. In all honestly, I wish his plane would crash and I’d never have to lay eyes on him
again.
Throughout dinner, I think of how close I came to losing myself. Without realizing it, I’d given Eduardo a test of his devotion and if he’d not reacted how he did . . . if he’d agreed to my request to leave Tug alone before he put his hands on me, I would have fallen for him. He would have proved he loved me. I’d have been the wife he wants me to be. I should thank him one day as I nearly lost myself forever.
The moment his car leaves the mansion, I run to Marco’s room and knock on the door. He opens it, grumbling about how loud I am.
I shove past him into his room. “I need the phone.”
A long sigh leaves his mouth as he retrieves the cell phone from under his bed. “You text him in here.”
“Fine,” I answer, taking the phone.
What I really want is to hear Tug’s voice, but I can’t risk anyone hearing me.
M: Eduardo has left Monterrey for three days. Can you come?
His response is immediate.
T: Yes. I’ll be there in the morning. Where should I meet you?
M: The barn down the road from Café Infinito. Do you know it?
T: Yes. I’ll be there. 10 AM. I love you.
M: I love you, too.
Marco reads the text when I hand the phone back to him.