Chapter Fourteen
RAYNE
The warmth and feel of her skin against mine is soothing.
Having her sleeping next to me felt…right.
I’ve thought about this moment for longer than I’d like to admit.
I fell asleep right away because I was so comfortable.
Then, I felt her arm brush up against mine and gently woke up for a moment.
She let out a contented sigh and fell asleep as well.
Emma was different. I didn’t meet her here, but she understood my work and how important it was to me. She didn’t ask questions or pressure me to find something else to do. I still remember the first time I told her I was a therapist for Meridian. Her bright blue eyes were wide with curiosity.
I was always open and honest with her, but after what happened with my last patient, we drifted apart. The guilt tore into me, and I pushed her away while trying to figure out what I wanted to do next. That’s in the past now, so there’s no sense in thinking about it anymore.
I look over at Shay—her mouth is slightly open; her face nuzzled in the pillow beside me, and I think about last night.
She was comfortable, in charge, and wasn’t afraid of asking for what she wanted.
It made my chest swell with pride as I watched her come over and over again.
From the moment I tasted her, she became mine.
It’s going to be impossible to let her go in a few weeks.
I have a meeting with the lawyer from Arin’s estate this morning.
I didn’t mention it to Shay yet; I don’t want to frighten or overwhelm her, so I will meet with him alone to collect the paperwork he has for her.
Hopefully, if I can bring this to her in a calm, safe space, she won’t spiral.
It feels as if I’m lying to her, though.
Keeping secrets—which could take away all the trust I’ve gained from her so far.
I just hope she understands and won’t hate me.
I sneak out of bed without waking her, head to the bathroom to clean up, and go back to my room to get dressed.
My plan is to meet the lawyer at the main entrance and bring him to one of the private offices before breakfast begins, and Shay sees him.
Since she’s under the care of the Institute, he can speak with me without her being present.
I take a quick peek back into Shay’s room; she’s still fast asleep with her bare back to the door. Her skin was so soft against mine, and I can’t wait until I can feel her under me again. Just thinking about it makes my dick get hard—I need to leave before I wake her up and claim her again.
“Thank you for meeting me this morning, Mr. Bauer.” Shay’s lawyer, Derrick, says. He showed up right on time, wearing a perfectly tailored dark blue suit and carrying a tan briefcase. The man has a certain aura about him—rich, sophisticated, and all business.
“Of course, please take a seat.” I take my own seat across from him. My heartbeat echoes in my ears; I’m eager to hear what he has to say about Arin’s estate. He was very brief on his phone call when setting up this meeting.
“Well, let’s get down to business, shall we?
” He rummages through his briefcase and pulls out an envelope filled with documents and annotation tabs.
“Mrs. Clarke has a significantly large estate that needs to be dealt with at her earliest convenience. I understand she is under the care of the facility, and that fee has been taken care of already.”
Mrs. Clarke? That must be a mistake. Shay specifically told me that Arin didn’t believe in marriage, and I was never told she was married. Only that they were partners. Derrick hands over the documents—my hand shakes as I take them.
“It took me a couple of weeks to sort things out with Arin’s extended family. Such a shame that I wasn’t aware of their marital status when he passed, or it wouldn’t have been such a fuss. How is she doing?”
“They were married?” Is all that I can say. I feel betrayed. Why would she have kept that from me?
“Yes, from their marriage certificate I have here, it seems as if they were married just last year. You see, I handled Arin’s business affairs, not his personal ones.
So trying to track down the proper people when dealing with a man that is very private was not simple.
His other lawyer didn’t want to make the trip, so I did. ”
“I see. She’s doing well and will make a full recovery. What are the specifics of the estate?” I try to keep my voice level.
“Well, there are properties that are now under her name, the main business, and of course multiple bank accounts. Once she signs the documents, all of that information will be open to her, and she will gain access to it all immediately. The deceased’s extended family was not mentioned in the will, so there won’t be any pushback there. ”
I clench my jaw so tight it feels like I will crack a tooth.
What is Shay going to do with all of this information?
Will she feel so overwhelmed that she might try to harm herself again?
And now I have to find out why she would lie about being married to him.
She missed her husband’s funeral, for fuck’s sake.
What kind of wife would allow that to happen?
Something about all of this doesn’t sit well with me.
“How did he pass? Mrs. Clarke is under the impression that he may have taken his own life.”
Derrick looks surprised. “From my understanding, he suffered a massive heart attack. I am unaware of any medical conditions he may have had, but I do know he did not take his own life. Why would she think that?”
“I’m not sure. She was the one who found him, but I think she was not aware of his medical condition either.”
“Ah. I see.”
“You say Arin was a private man, and you had trouble locating all of this information. Could it be possible Ms. Clarke did not know what was in his will? She’s made zero mention of the things you have presented to me.” I don’t know if this man will be honest with me, but I have to get some answers.
Derrick clicks his tongue before answering.
“Mr. Bauer, I am here in the interest of my client. All the information I have given to you has been truthful and all I can share. The rest is in your hands. Please call me when Mrs. Clarke has signed the documents, and we may proceed from there.” He stands and straightens his jacket before picking up his briefcase and leaving the office.
I’m stunned. Has everything she’s told me so far been a lie?
I want to look through these documents, but I know it’s not my place.
I should speak with Tabitha first and see what she thinks of all this.
As I check the time on my phone, I notice I have a missed call from an unknown number.
It’s not an area code that I recognize—must be spam.
As I opened the door and turned towards Tabitha’s office, I bumped into someone. Shay. Her brown eyes were wide and filled with tears.
“Was that Arin’s lawyer I saw walk out the front door?
” She whispers, and my stomach drops. I don’t know what to believe right now, but I know I can’t hide this from her.
Not when she already knows, but before I can say anything, she runs off.
I want to follow her and tell her everything will be okay; I just can’t make myself do that right now.
Not until I talk to someone else about this and come to her with a level head.
I’m confused and angry that she would keep this from me.
If I try to talk to her now, I’ll blow up and make things way worse.
Fuck! My feelings are getting the best of me with her, and it wasn’t just the sex last night.
No. These feelings have been building up in my short time with Shay.
I thought I was breaking down her walls, gaining her trust, and learning about her.
Instead, she’s been keeping the biggest secret from me, and I don’t know where to go from here.