Chapter 22
It’s been almost three weeks since I’ve left New York, and I’ve yet to hear from Sebastian. I’m so on edge with the uncertainty. I feel like he’s going to jump out at me at every corner. But then again, patience is not my husband’s virtue. You’d think if he was coming for me, he would’ve done so by now. I’ve kept my phone turned off for the most part, but Sebastian hasn’t even tried calling my parents. Is it because he’s too busy managing a scandal? I’ve been checking online, and there hasn’t been a single mention about his tryst with his second-in-command. I don’t get it. If someone took the time to send me that video, there had to have been a reason, right? I don’t have any friends in New York. No one would’ve sent that to me out of loyalty, so the only thing I could think of was whoever it is, wanted Sebastian to know that he’s being watched. That he’s been caught with his pants down. Literally.
I blow out a breath, fingering the business card in front of me. Okay, I can do this. I have to go with my gut that Agent Simmons is on my side. I look around my father’s office to ensure I’m alone before picking up the phone. Shaking my head about the fact my parents still have a landline, I dial his number.
“Agent Simmons.” He picks up after the first ring.
I clear my throat. “Hi... uh... I don’t know if you remember me, but?—”
“Presley? Is that you?”
My jaw drops. “How’d you know?”
He chuckles lightly. “Your maiden name on the caller ID was my first clue, but you have a distinctive voice. I can tell you try masking it, but you still have a slight southern lilt at the end of certain words. I’ve lived in New York my entire life, so it stands out. Now, since you’re calling, I’m assuming you’re ready to talk?”
Crap, I forgot about caller ID.
“I...” I swallow, trying to alleviate the sudden dryness in my throat. “Um... I was hoping you could help me with something.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“Well, it’s been almost three weeks since I’ve been gone.”
“You mean since you’ve been staying at your parents’ house?”
The man’s done his homework. I shouldn’t be surprised; he does work for the FBI, after all.
“Right.” I nod, even though he can’t see me. “And I haven’t heard from my husband once. There’s no doubt he’s figured out where I’m at by now. My phone’s been off, but he has my parents’ numbers. I think maybe even my brother’s, too. He’s had plenty of opportunities to reach out to me, yet he hasn’t. I was hopin’ you might know why. Is there something going on that’s keeping him occupied?”
“Something like trying to prevent a scandalous video from getting into the wrong hands?”
“You know about the video?!”
“Yes, I know about the recording of your husband engaging in a sexual act with the deputy mayor.”
“How?”
“Presley, I need you to hear me out before you say anything.”
I frown, not liking the direction this conversation is heading. “Okay...”
“I know who forwarded that video to you.”
“Excuse me?” I couldn’t have possibly heard that correctly.
“A private investigator I work with sometimes had it,” he explains. “If I had known he was going to send it to you beforehand, I would’ve stopped him. He had no idea your husband was so... uh...”
I laugh humorlessly. “The word you’re looking for is abusive, Agent.”
It feels strange admitting that out loud... yet, it’s also cathartic.
Derek clears his throat. “Yes... well, like I said, if I had known beforehand, I would have stopped him. I wouldn’t have put you in that situation.”
“Because you did know how Sebastian would have reacted?”
“Yes, I knew. I know. I’m well aware he’s a spineless piece of shit who has no qualms about hitting a woman.”
“How?” I pinch the bridge of my nose.
“You’re not his first victim, Presley. There have been at least three that I know of.”
I inhale sharply. “How... why... how can that be? He’s never been arrested. There haven’t been any accusations.”
I don’t think anyway.
Agent Simmons sighs audibly. “Your husband is a wealthy, well-connected man. Even before his time in office. Unfortunately, none of those women pressed charges.”
“Because he paid for their silence?”
“Two of them, yes.”
“And the third?” I hold my breath, waiting for his answer.
“His first wife...took her own life.”
I slam a hand over my mouth. “Oh, God.”
I knew Sebastian had been married for about five years before he met me—a woman named Sabrina. Her official cause of death was a prescription opioid overdose. Supposedly, it was accidental. Sebastian rarely talked about his late wife. I thought it was because thinking about her was too painful, but now, I wonder if it was because he was afraid I’d uncover the truth. That maybe Sabrina was so desperate to escape him, she took control the only way she knew how.
I can’t say I haven’t thought about it more than once.
“There’s something else you should know, Presley.”
“What’s that?”
“Bri—his first wife—was my sister.”
I choke back a sob. “That’s why you said you had no loyalty to the man.”
“Among other things, yes.”
“I’m sorry for your loss, Derek.”
“Thank you.”
Neither one of us says anything for a few beats. Finally, I decide to get to the reason behind my call.
“I have a question.”
“Go ahead.”
I pick up a pen from the desk and begin twirling it between my fingers. “Why is the FBI interested in my husband?”
“The FBI has no official interest in your husband.”
“With all due respect, Agent, if you want me to trust you, it has to go both ways. How ‘bout this? What do you need from me? I’m assuming that’s the reason you came to see me in the hospital. Because you need my help with something regarding your case against my husband?”
Derek takes a moment to reply. “I don’t need your help with anything, although I reserve the right to change my mind down the road. I wish I could nail that bastard with something, but my employer has no interest in your husband.”
“Then, why bother?”
“Because I’m not a narcissistic sociopath? Because maybe I see a little bit of my sister in you? Or, how about the fact that I couldn’t save Bri eats me alive, so I’m doing what I can to ensure you don’t suffer the same fate? Take your pick. I just wanted to help, Presley, and I saw an opportunity to introduce myself.”
“How’d you know I was in the hospital? How’d you get access to my building’s security footage?”
“You know that private investigator I mentioned earlier? I’ve had him trailing your husband. Look, I apologize for misleading you about my involvement in the police investigation, but I tried getting you to talk so you wouldn’t go back to him. I wanted to offer to help you make a clean break.”
Oh.
I dab at the tears pooling in the corner of my eyes. It’s been so long since I’ve had anyone standing in my corner. Yes, I know my family will always have my back, but I suffered in silence for over a third of my life. My family had no clue how bad things were with Sebastian because I cut them out of my life, despite their best efforts to remain close. And if I’m honest with myself, a small part of me felt like maybe I deserved it. That maybe Sebastian’s abuse was my penance for leaving this ranch. For breaking the hearts of everyone I loved by running from my problems instead of facing them together.
I hang my head in my hands, weeping for all the mistakes I’ve made. All the time I’ve lost. For the many things that will never be the same again.
“Presley? Are you still there?”
I sniffle. “Yeah. Sorry. I sort of got lost in my head for a moment there.”
“No need to apologize. Is there anything I can do?”
I nod. “I don’t suppose you know any good divorce attorneys? I think I’m going to need one.”
“As a matter of fact, I do. I’m married to one.”
“That must be interesting, being married to someone who spends their days dealing with fighting spouses.”
“Eh, it makes her appreciate me more.”
I chuckle, despite the gravity of the situation. “You’re a lucky man.”
“I am,” he agrees.
I take a deep breath. “I’ll be heading into town tomorrow to get a new phone number. Can I follow up with you then?”
“Sure thing, Presley.”
“Thank you, Derek. For everything.”
“You can thank me by staying safe. You are okay where you’re at, right?”
“Physically? Yes. As for the rest... I think I will be.”
Eventually.
“Good. Call me when you get your new number, or if you’d prefer to text, this is my cell, so that’s fine, too.”
“Okay. We’ll talk soon. Bye, Derek.”
“Bye, Presley.”