The Man Who Has No Heart (Soulless 2)

I didn’t mind paying for it.

“It’s just a few blocks away, so you can get to him easily…or I could get to him.” She left the papers beside me. “This is all the information about the school if you’re interested, but I know it’s the best. My other clients told me about it…that was how I found out about it. A hundred percent of their students go to an Ivy League school…every single one.”

I stared at the paper before I lifted my gaze. “I don’t care if Derek goes to college or not. I want him to do whatever he wants. Some of the most brilliant minds in the world don’t have a college education. But I’d like him to get the best education possible right now, since this age is critical for his development.”

“Exactly.” She grabbed another paper from her folder. “I also found her a very nice condo just a few blocks away. It’s got everything she could want—a private gym, a chauffeur company that operates on-site, and lots of rich, eligible bachelors.”

“The last one will give her the biggest incentive.”

She chuckled. “It’s a safe building with twenty-four surveillance, so Derek will be safe there. There’s also a yoga studio right across the street.”

Cleo had Valerie pinned down pretty well. “I think we’re jumping ahead.”

“Just wanted to show you what I’ve been working on. I think I’m gonna call her tomorrow and invite her for a visit…unless you think it’s best if you call her.”

I closed my eyes for a second, full of dread.

She watched me, her lips pressed together in a delicate frown.

“I’ll do it.” I needed to make amends for the way I’d screamed at her. If Cleo called, the offer wouldn’t seem genuine. She wouldn’t go for it.

“I think that’s the best idea too.” She closed her folder. “There’s something I need to tell you. I didn’t say anything before because I didn’t want to stir the pot…”

I stared at her.

“When I dropped off Derek, she threatened me a little bit…”

Both of my eyebrows furrowed.

“Said I needed to keep my hands off you.”

I’d never become so angry so quickly. My hand covered my forehead while my nostrils flared with the deep breath I released. “Jesus fucking Christ…” I dragged my hand down and stared at the table.

“I told her I was seeing Tucker, even though I had stopped seeing him at the time.”

I lifted my chin and looked at her.

“And that calmed her down.”

I hated Valerie for a lot of reasons, but now I hated her for affecting my new relationship. She had been a tyrant in our relationship, slapping me in the face if I didn’t give her what she wanted, and then throwing a fit if I stood too close to a female colleague. She was beautiful—but fucking insecure. She could destroy this relationship, make Cleo’s life so miserable that she wouldn’t want to stay.

That fucking scared me.

I turned away and looked at the table again, my palms pressed together and resting against my forehead while my elbows leaned on the table.

“Deacon?”

I was quiet for a long time, like I needed a few moments to decompress. I dropped my hands and straightened again.

“What is it?”

“I’m just worried…”

She waited for me to elaborate.

I stared straight ahead. “I’m afraid if Valerie moves here…she’ll rip us apart.”

Cleo watched me for a while, the silence continuing.

“I haven’t told you the details of my marriage, of all the problems we had, but trust me, there’s no line she won’t cross.”

Her hand moved to mine on the table, and she gently squeezed me. “There’s nothing she could do to chase me away.”

I’d thought I could be in a loveless marriage forever, but with every passing year, the weight on my shoulders became heavier and heavier…and then my back broke. The same thing might happen with Cleo, the hardship and harassment would stop being worth it.

“Deacon.”

I resisted her gaze until I caved. I looked at her.

“Nothing,” she whispered. “Nothing at all.” She squeezed my hand again.

I squeezed hers back, my heart weightless now that I’d finally let her in. I’d resisted for so long because I was afraid to go through hell again, but now that she was in my life completely, I felt at peace, like every fear, every doubt had disappeared. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me…and my son.”

Her eyes softened, staring at me like she never wanted to stop. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me too.” She brought my hands to her lips and kissed the knuckles. “No matter what happens, we stay together.” She repeated my own words back to me. “Alright?”

I nodded. “Alright.”

I sat at my desk at my office, going through the stacks of paperwork that needed my attention. All I cared about was the work we were doing, not running the corporation, but since I owned it, I had to take care of it. Having someone else run operations had been suggested, but I didn’t trust anyone else with the company I’d built with my bare hands…and my mind.