The Life You Stole (Life Duet 2)

Evelyn got on her knees without me having to ask twice.

About damn time.

I unfastened my pants, grabbed her hair, and shoved my dick into her mouth. Closing my eyes, I leaned my heavy head back and let Evelyn treat me like I deserved to be treated after all I had done for her.

The next day I felt better. More controlled.

I signed two new bills into law and had a budget meeting.

“See this?” My chief of staff showed me an online publication with a photo of Lila and me leaving the hospital after her accident. There really wasn’t such a thing as a secure entrance. “Your secretary told me they called several times looking for a statement. Why am I just now seeing this? What happened?”

I continued walking toward my office, giving my tie a slight adjustment. “Do you want the official statement or the unofficial statement?”

“The truth.”

“She was attacked while jogging.”

“Shit … how did that happen? Where was her security detail?”

I sighed. “You know Lila. She’s a strong woman. I can’t tell you how many times she escapes without anyone knowing. Sneaks out a back entrance. What am I supposed to do? We’re just lucky it wasn’t worse. She’ll be fine.”

“Was she …”

I glanced back at him, internally rolling my eyes at his unfinished question. “Raped? No.”

“Do you want me to have an official statement released?”

“Do we really need one?” I nodded at my secretary before I opened the door to my office.

“Uh … yes. We need one. Otherwise you leave yourself open to speculation. And as charismatic as the world thinks you are, someone will start a rumor that you abused your wife.”

“Lila is spoiled.”

“Won’t matter.”

I plopped down into my chair and sighed. “Fine. Release a statement. Then get something else in the news cycle pretty fucking quick. Lila won’t like this attention.”

“Pictures will help too. Maybe the two of you at a restaurant looking happy. Take her to dinner tonight.”

I didn’t respond, but I was sure he took my frown as a reluctant yes. After he shut the door behind him, I called Lila.

She answered her phone with silence. Not a single hey or hello.

“Hey, sweetheart. Do something nice with your hair—er … wig—and makeup. We’re going to dinner tonight.” A term of endearment and a dinner invitation. If she sulked about it, that would be her problem. I did my part, giving her what she longingly referred to as “the old Graham.” I missed that guy too. The old Graham spent his free time with his best friend, Evelyn. They watched sports, drank beer, and fucked.

Just once. And that was the tragedy that led to new Graham. New Graham had more responsibilities, which left so little time to undo all the shit Evelyn had done—like marrying the wrong fucking guy and pushing me into marrying her best friend.

Such a mess to clean up.

“I’m not in the mood to go out for dinner. This cancer treatment has left me feeling weak and unsocial.”

My dear Lila liked to fight me at every turn, and fighters knew if they threw a punch, they’d get one or two in return. She made it hard for me to feel remorse for longer than a day. Most of the time, I liked the fight. But sometimes I just needed her to be obedient. Lila failed at obedience.

“I’m not asking for an RSVP. I’ll be out front at six.” I disconnected the call.

Checking the time, I decided to call Evelyn, hoping she’d be at her shop and able to talk without the ankle biters disrupting her. Don’t get me wrong; I loved those kids. Their biggest flaw? They weren’t mine. One day soon, I’d make her pay for that—most likely naked and tied to my bed.

“No time for you,” she answered.

I’d make her pay for that too. I’d make it my life’s purpose to assure I was the only person she had time for in her life.

“You failed to mention Katie’s good news. And you’re welcome, by the way. I’m sure you’ll adore your new little niece or nephew.”

“What do you need? I’m running late because Mrs. Humphrey shit all over the carpet. I need to get a shower while Anya’s asleep and get Franz picked up from school.”

I could hear her turn on her shower.

“Mrs. Humphrey?” I laughed, making my way to my office door and locking it. I wasn’t to be disturbed when the door was shut, but occasionally an intern with mush for brains would sneak past my secretary.

“Our dog.” Her voice muffled.

I sensed she had me on speakerphone, just as I sensed she was undressing. Taking a seat on my sofa, I unfastened my pants and scooted back, already stone hard from just the sound of her voice. Catching her getting ready to take a shower may have been the highlight of my whole damn week.