“Don’t be ridiculous,” she scoffed as I followed her from the patio to the kitchen, pointing to the island barstool.
“Sit.” She hesitated before taking the seat.
“I want it on tape, Eileen. A video of you confessing to hiring a hit on Nina.”
“Devin, I told you I called it off.” Her posture was that of a spoiled teenager, and I couldn’t help but reason this woman was not well. She clearly had more going on than I’d ever cared to understand. I almost felt bad for what I was about to do.
“This is a divorce decree.” I laid the paperwork in front of her. “This is the title for the plantation. I’ve signed it over to you. You can have all of our assets except for my boat. It’s all there. I’ll call Byron over, and we can finally finish this.”
She looked at me as if I was an idiot. “You want this in exchange for my confession that I tried to kill your whore? Devin, it won’t happen.” She crossed her arms confidently across her chest after pushing the paperwork back in my direction.
“Yes it will,” her mother snapped behind her. “Stupid, stupid girl, did I teach you nothing?”
Eileen froze in her chair, sweat instantly beading on her forehead. Her mother had always been her kryptonite. I cursed my stupidity in my earlier attempts to sway her on my own. My greatest ally was the woman who had ruined her. It took very little to convince her mother about Eileen’s latest evil deed, which is why she decided to intervene, for the sake of reputation. I’d only lightly threatened to take the ordeal public in an attempt to persuade her. In exchange for my freedom, I would take away my wife’s. Eileen would be spending the next ninety days under observation at the Charleston Mental Institute. When bargaining with her mother, I agreed to complete discretion as she “sought the help her daughter so desperately n
eeded.” Eileen looked at me with tears in her eyes.
“Take the plantation, marry Thomas, and let me go.” She looked at her mother, wide-eyed and full of excuses.
“He’s speaking nonsense, Mother. His claims are ridiculous.”
“Give him what he wants, Eileen. Clearly, you have failed him.” I felt the snap in Eileen then; it was tangible. It was also a beacon of hope for me. She picked up the pen and put it down, swiping her hand in the air.
“No, I’m not doing this again. Not without—”
“Byron,” I called as he entered the kitchen. With her mother and lawyer present, I was free. I had no doubts but stayed as my wife unraveled, apologizing to her mother, and refusing to look at me.
I grabbed my keys as I heard Byron’s briefcase click shut. A celebratory drink at the club may just be what I needed.
Game over.
A text came through, making my blood boil.
She was at his home last night.
And I was so close to gloating.
I sent a text of my own.
Devin: YOU CANNOT HAVE HER.
“Deceiving others. That is what the world calls a romance.”
? Oscar Wilde
§§
Nina
I finished my meeting with ten minutes to spare. Preparing the conference room, I frosted the privacy glass, turned on the radio, and ordered chilled champagne. For some reason, I was nervous as I waited on Aiden. I opted to do the deed where my meeting was held, a comfortable lounge with plenty of seating. I’d suffered through twenty-five minutes of ass kissing only to hand over money I would have willingly given without prompting. Aiden was all I saw, his attempt to keep my attention solely on him had paid off, and I was just about to show him how much. I wondered where he decided we would escape to.
Getting away with Aiden was becoming more appealing by the second as they ticked by. Adjusting my skirt, I smirked knowing I was pantyless underneath. There really was no point with Aiden.
Lying back on the oversized, leather couch, I closed my eyes briefly. Moments later, I felt his fingers trail up my leg, keeping my eyes closed, my slow smile revealing to him I was awake.
“Hey, beautiful, keep them closed.” His voice moved over me like a warm blanket, and my body instantly responded. I did as he asked, his touch sending a welcomed shiver down my spine in anticipation. “Have you thought about me today?”
“Yes,” I replied, my voice heated.