“Is this where you sleep?”
“No, no, I have my own room, but this should do, right? I pulled out the old crib for you. I’ve been meaning to throw it out. I’m not having any more kids, but I don’t know, I couldn’t seem to part with it.” Anne stroked the crib. “It was a different time in my life.”
“How are you coping now?”
“I’m coping. For the kids. I think it’s easier on them if I’m home and acting the part of doting wife.”
“They have no idea he cheats on you?”
“They don’t need to know, you know. It’s one of those … things. The bed is comfortable. I’ve also picked up some milk and food for her. She looks big and strong. Can I hold her?”
“Of course.”
Robin held the car seat with two hands as Anne grabbed Bethany out of it. When it was empty, she placed it in the corner. Anne clearly didn’t want to talk about her life with Elijah and she knew all about the pain of not wanting to know her past, so she left it.
“I’m going to go and get the bags. I’ll be back.”
She left Anne holding her daughter as she rushed out of the house, grabbing the two cases she’d been able to pack, and made her way inside.
After flicking the lock into place, she turned around to see Elijah standing there, watching her.
“You better not take any advantage of my wife.”
Robin couldn’t help it, she laughed. “You’re talking to me about taking advantage. You need to look in the mirror to know what advantage looks like.” This man was clearly crazy. He had to be to think she would take advantage when this guy was doing it every single day.
“She told you?”
“Yeah, and besides, if she didn’t, there was already a whole load of gossip around town. You think this place doesn’t know how to spread rumors? Nearly everyone knows what you do, and with who.”
“I don’t like you being near my wife.”
“And I don’t like men like you who take what they want and hurt whoever the hell they want to in the process, but we can’t always have what we want, can we?”
“Your husband is a criminal.”
“And you’re a cheating scumbag who humiliates his woman all the time. You make a mockery of your marriage to Anne and you take all of this for granted.” Robin took a deep breath. “Are you done with the judgment? Can I go? This can go any kind of way you want it to.”
“When I find a way, you’re gone.”
Robin shrugged. “This isn’t permanent. But if I can get her to leave your ass, then I’ll consider it a job well done. She deserves a real man who will treat her with respect.” In a way, just the few minutes with this man reminded her a little of Bishop.
There was a selfishness to him, something she didn’t like in anyone, but witnessing it in Elijah made her even angrier. Maybe because it was directed toward someon
e she cared about rather than herself. With Bishop, in a way, she could accept it. He was a guy but he also didn’t have any other responsibilities. This man, he had a wife, a family, and he was tearing it apart in order to have his fun.
No, she didn’t like him.
Anne was a strong woman and she admired her for her ability to not let this man get to her. Others wouldn’t have been quite so accommodating. Thinking about Preacher stepping out on her was enough to make her sick. The feelings for Reaper weren’t the same. She’d experienced jealousy but nothing like this. With Reaper, it was like she expected it. He would grow bored with her and whatever his reasons were for taking her. No, she wouldn’t think about this, not right now. All of her feelings were new to her, and not at any point were they exciting. For the most part, she was angry.
Moving around Elijah, she walked back up toward the bedroom where Anne was still holding Bethany.
“Hey, I’m sorry, I should have gotten Elijah to move them.”
“No, worries. I’ve done it. And I think the less contact I have with your husband, the better.”
“What’s he done?”
“He’s done nothing. Don’t worry. I don’t like him and it’s not a crime to not like someone.”