Why had I jumped to conclusions?
The next picture showed them hugging. And peering at the frame, I could see that this Jim guy was sniffling a bit. His cheeks were wet, like he’d just had a nervous breakdown with Laney as his confidante.
But the worst part?
The tiny detail I failed to notice that could have helped to avoid this whole mess?
The ring.
In nearly every photograph, she was wearing the ring. My ring.
That tiny, humble piece of thread.
It was nothing, just scraps from the prison workshop. And yet she wore it like a priceless gem, something to be treasured and shown off.
How had I missed it?
How had I allowed jealousy over nothing cloud my judgment?
Holy shit.
I’ve fucked up.
Big time.
So what do I do now?
***
Back in my hotel, I gazed out at the Florida coastline, a glass of whiskey in my hand.
My thoughts churned steadily, the alcohol numbing my pain.
Because too late, I’d tried to chase after Laney. But she was gone already, disappeared into the atmosphere. Sure, I could have turned up at her house. The PI knew where she lived. One quick phone call and I’d have her address.
But I couldn’t do it.
Not yet.
I was too ashamed of what I had done.
Fuck me.
Why hadn’t I just trusted the female? Why didn’t I listen to my heart?
I downed the rest of my drink before pouring another. I could already feel the effects. It wouldn’t be the first – nor the last – time I drank myself into a stupor thinking of Laney. All my life, hardships had come rolling. And each time I was knocked down, I got up twice as strong.
But not this time.
Laney’s supposed betrayal had wounded me in a way I had never felt before, leaving me hollow like a carved-out shell.
But now, the image of that beautiful face haunted my thoughts. That lilting voice penetrated through my every waking moment. And the bang of the door slamming in her wake had shattered my heart beyond repair.
This situation as incredible. I’m a fucking alpha billionaire, invicible to the masses, and yet a curvy, innocent woman had shot me down.
Fuck.
What do I do?
But there was nothing left for me to do.
I had made a gargantuan mistake and there was no fixing it.
Laney – my wife – would never forgive me.
I downed another shot, the warmth trailing over my chest, numbing the pain. I slumped on the white leather couch, staring blankly at the vaulted ceilings of my suite. What was the point of all this luxury if I had no one to share it with?
So I closed my eyes and imagined I was back in the prison chapel.
Laney had been the most beautiful girl in the world that day. Her shining brown eyes. The glow on her face. That breathtaking smile. Everything about her was absolutely perfect.
And shit, I’d been a happy man. Ecstatic even, picturing my future with her. Us, starting a family together, raising children together. Oh shit. Laney would greet me every day with a kiss and I’d wrap my arms around her waist and pull those sassy curves close as our kids tumbled beneath our feet.
And now none of that was ever going to happen.
Because I ruined everything.
My fists clenched in self-hatred.
Why had I been such a fool? It’s unreal. People try to outwit me right and left, and I never let them get the upper hand. I never act out of turn. I’m a master of control, iron bound and tough.
But with Laney, it’d all gone out the door. I’d been so in love, so taken with her pure innocence, that my mind went haywire. If only I’d spent a minute to really look at the photographs, the truth would have smacked me in the face.
And maybe instead of sitting here alone, I’d have Laney by my side. We could be watching a movie together or enjoying a sumptuous, candlelit dinner. There were so many things that I wanted to do with her. I wanted to pamper the woman, to show her the world, to make all her dreams a reality. I wanted to taste the inside of her mouth, to feel her curves wrapped around me as I brought her to ecstasy again and again.
But fuck, that was never going to happen now.
The brunette was never going to look at me the same way again. I would never hear her soft, innocent giggle. I would never see her bright smile or the glint in her eye. It was all gone.
All because I’d fucked up big time. There was no going back, despite how much I wanted it. Because how do you forgive something like that? The girl had married an inmate, giving me the benefit of the doubt, and yet I’d double-crossed and betrayed her when it came time.
Self-hatred filled my mouth, like pure poison.