Chapter 20
CHAPTER TWENTY
FYNN
I THINK I have an addiction, and it’s my new wife.
I struggled to get enough of Valerie before, but now? Now I’m not sure I’ll let her out of my sight again. It’s probably a good idea, all things considered.
Pulling her closer, I grind the line of my dick against the thin fabric of her knickers, grateful for her love of summer dresses. “You’ve put me in a difficult position, Valerie.”
Her lids are heavy with desire, but her expression is contrite as she gazes up at me. “I know.” Her chin barely wobbles, confirming my suspicions about her overwhelming desire to always be seen in a positive light. “I’m sorry.”
I smooth back the wisps of dark hair that have fallen from her ponytail. "I know, Darling." I don't like how easily she’s lost her earlier fire. "And I'm sorry I didn't take your calls." I cradle her head in my hands, looking over my new, surprisingly vicious, wife's face. "It would appear I was too distracted last night to remember to plug in my phone to charge."
Her expression shifts to one of worry, and her chin quivers again. "I thought maybe something happened to you. I thought—"
I shake my head, running one thumb across her lips to seal off her words. "Nothing is going to happen to me, Val. I promise you."
"You don't know that." She grabs my wrists, holding tight to me. “You don’t know what they’re capable of.”
I love that she's worried for me. That Valerie seems to be growing attached to my presence in her life.
But her fears are unfounded.
"I know this might surprise you, given the events of the past six months, but I am a very powerful man." I might have forgotten it for a while, but that doesn't make it less true. "I have the connections and the funds to ruin anyone who comes for me."
Her dark brows pinch together in confusion. "Then why didn't you ruin Jessica?"
It's a good question. One I've asked myself a number of times. The answer always came down to one thing.
“Because I’m not the prick she wants people to believe I am.” I’d considered it though. On my darkest nights I’d debated calling in a few favors and turning the tables in a way that would end all my problems.
But would also likely ruin her family financially.
I couldn’t do it and now I’m glad, because my dichotomy of a wife is beaming up at me. “It’s actually really obvious you’re not what she says.” She drops my wrists to run both hands up my chest. “Anyone who believed her is an idiot.”
“No.” For so long I put the burden of belief on myself. Thought my own actions and behaviors must have left room for that kind of doubt to creep in. But after talking with Rogers this morning, I no longer think that’s the case. “Anyone who knows me and still claims to believe it is a coward.” I trace the line of her lips again. “But you’re not a coward, are you, my beautiful wife?” My lips curve in a smile. “I think you might have broken her nose.”
I didn’t want to ruin Jessica just to save my own skin. I still don’t. But I certainly won’t lose any sleep over my sweet, slightly violent little wife causing her a tiny bit of physical pain.
Val bites her lower lip. “I was very angry.” She traces the line of my shirt, following the buttons down the front. “I’ve never been that mad in my whole life.”
I’m flattered, truly. But Val has had plenty to be mad about in her life. Things much worse than what Jessica has done to me. “Then I think you need to work on being angry more often.”
Val shakes her head. “I don’t want to be angry.” Her voice is soft and small as her eyes drop mine. “I don’t want to be anything like my father.”
I press one finger under her chin, tipping her head back until she’s looking at me again. “You are not now, and never will be anything like him.” I lean down to press a kiss to her lips. “Regardless of how many of my enemies you punch in the nose. ”
Valerie looks unconvinced, so I decide it’s time for me to get her out of here. I'd had thoughts of christening the desk, but the mood has shifted, and all I want is to have her somewhere safe so I can spend the evening reminding her what a good girl she really is. Stepping back, I scoot her off the desk. Her feet have just hit the floor when there's a knock at my door. I turn, expecting to see my assistant, but am greeted by the sight of someone else entirely.
Elaine Cervantes strides in, looking as classy and elegant as ever. Her posture is perfect and her smile is impeccable as she comes my way, hand outstretched. "So sorry for dropping in on you, but I assumed you would want to speak to me as soon as I had something to talk about."
I'm stunned. Not only at her arrival, but how quickly she was able to gather information. "Of course."
"Are you serious?" An older, but oddly familiar voice carries in from the lobby. "What kind of place doesn't have coffee?"
Elaine rolls her eyes toward the ceiling, whispering out a prayer for patience as a second woman comes barging in. She’s shorter than Elaine, but has the same bone structure and commanding presence.
She's also someone I've met before.
"Sylvia?" Valerie steps out from behind me, her eyes wide as they lock on the older woman. "What are you doing here?"
Sylvia's face splits into a wide smile as she slaps her hands together. "Hot damn." She goes straight for Val, giving her a tight hug as if they are old friends. "Are you the one the cops are here to talk to?"
One of Elaine's brows angles as she looks from me to where her mother still holds onto Val.
Valerie leans back, giving Sylvia a tight smile. "There was sort of an incident."
Elaine's eyes come back my way. "An incident?"
Valerie's lips press together, making it clear she’s not going to be explaining further, and that has me pulling her close. Yet again she has my back, refusing to put any more of my business out there for public consumption.
But Elaine is different, and I need her help, so I won't be holding much of anything back from her. "Jessica discovered I've married."
Elaine's lips twitch, hinting at a smile. "I gather that went over well."
I smooth one hand down Valerie's ponytail, wrapping it around my fingers. "As well as you would expect." I tip my head. "On the plus side, she did admit she lied, making everything up in an attempt to get back at me for being unwilling to progress our relationship at a speed she was happy with."
Elaine studies me a second. "And exactly why were the police called?"
I glance at the door, ensuring no one else is close enough to hear. "My wife wasn't thrilled with Jessica’s attitude toward me, and at one point her fists may or may not have come into contact with the bridge of Jessica's nose."
Sylvia's head falls back and she howls with laughter. The sound is gleeful and loud and has her grabbing my wife for another hug, forcing me to release the hold I have on her. She rocks Valerie from side to side, squeezing tight. "I knew I liked you." She leans back, patting the side of Valerie's face. "It's always the sweet ones they never see coming."
Valerie seems to stand taller under Sylvia's attention, and I'm a little jealous that I'm not the one showering her with praise. I'm not normally selfish, but I'd like to be selfish with Valerie.
Yet another reason it's time for me to take her home.
But Elaine steps in my path, lowering her voice. "I would find a way to ensure the police don't talk to her." Her expression is serious. "Her name shouldn't be brought up, because it will become a part of the public record if it is." Her eyes bore into mine. "And if someone is looking for her, that will make their job so much easier."
My chest tightens, and I put my eyes on Valerie, afraid something will happen if I'm not watching. "And do we have confirmation someone is looking for her?"
Elaine tucks her chin in a small nod. "We do, but I'm hoping I was able to throw them off her trail. I spoke with the man who paid you a visit and he was able to touch base with some people from his organization in Las Vegas. They were more than happy to drop word of a few potential sightings there."
"I appreciate it immensely." Sifting back through her words, a few make me pause. "His organization?"
Elaine gives me a serene smile. "That's right." She reaches out to pat the center of my chest in a motherly fashion. "There's more than one way to do bad things, Mr. Hadaway." She turns to where her mother is whispering to Valerie. “Are you ready to go to Grant’s office?”
Sylvia gives Valerie a pat on the shoulder. “Yep.” She faces me, expression turning to a scowl. “At least he’ll have coffee.”
“I might not have coffee, but I do have biscuits.” I pull Valerie against my side again, holding her close. “Unless you’re also opposed to those.”
Sylvia’s eyes narrow behind her glasses. “By biscuits, you mean cookies, right?”
I give her a small nod. “I mean cookies.”
She lifts her chin, looking me over. “I guess I can forgive the coffee thing if I get cookies.” She starts to leave but stops to turn back my way. “Just so you know, I’m taking two.”
Never would I have paired this woman with Elaine, let alone connected them as mother and daughter. She’s rowdy and openly obstinate and, based on our shared time at the beach, has terrible taste in alcohol.
But I think she’ll be a great influence on Valerie. My wife could benefit from seeing someone who doesn’t give a shit what anyone else thinks of them.
“Take as many as you’d like.” I step toward her, bringing Val along with me. “We’re staying with my mother for the next while. You should come by for a visit if you’re in the area.” I give her my best smile. “I can make sure there is coffee as well as cookies.”
While Val could use the influence, my mother could use the entertainment. It will be a win-win. Plus, I want to keep Valerie fresh in Elaine’s mind. I need her to be as committed to keeping my new wife safe as I am.
Sylvia matches my smile. “You’re persuasive.” She wiggles her brows at my wife. “Now I see how he got you to marry him.” Her expression hardens as she turns back to me. “Cause it’s sure as hell not because he makes a good cup of coffee.” Sylvia laughs at her own joke as she follows Elaine out the door of my office.
When they’re out of sight I turn to Val, lowering my voice. “I want you to stay in here while I talk to the police.”
She nods. “Okay.”
I lift my brows. “I mean it, Val. No coming out of this room. No matter what happens, understand?”
Again she nods and I have to take her word for it. After pressing a quick kiss to her forehead, I follow the same path Elaine and Sylvia just took, pulling the door to my office closed behind me as I greet the two police officers in the small lobby. “Gentlemen.”
I put on my most regretful face. “I apologize for bringing you here. There was a misunderstanding, but it’s been cleared up now.”
One of the cops seems more than ready to take my explanation at face value and has his hand on the mic at his neck when the other speaks up.
“The person who called said there was some sort of altercation that happened.” He looks me over. “That a woman attacked you.”
Bless Brian for the relatively vague explanation. I’ll have to give him another raise. “It was a verbal attack.” I hold my arms out. “As you can see I’m unharmed.” I scan the less convinced man’s left hand, before taking a shot in the dark. “It was an ex who recently discovered I’ve married and was displeased since I hadn’t offered to marry her.”
The skeptical one maintains his serious expression a second longer before finally shaking his head. “They can get wild over that kind of thing, can’t they?” He holds one hand my way, bringing the rubber wedding band he’s sporting closer. “But good on you for not marrying her anyway. I know lots of guys who gave into the pressure.”
I smile, happy my hunch was right. “Not you though.”
Any man who goes out of his way to keep a sign of matrimony in place—even if it’s simply a piece of plastic—is a man who wants people to know he’s married.
He smiles, pride straightening his shoulders. “Not me. My wife’s an angel.”
“Make sure you tell her that.” I slap him on the shoulder, using the move to urge him to the door. “Women love hearing how amazing we find them.”
He lifts a brow at me. “Yeah?”
I’m a little surprised this isn’t common knowledge. “Absolutely.” I lean in, lowering my voice like I’m sharing a secret. “Tell her she’s a good girl. See what happens.”
“Thanks for the tip.” He purses his lips, thinking on it a second before turning to his partner, then back to me. “I’m glad the situation worked out.”
“Me too.” I nod and continue smiling as they leave, waiting until they’re on the lift before going to collect my disobedient, but still perfectly perfect, wife from my office. When I open the door, I stop at the sight of her standing behind the desk, my still charging phone gripped in one hand.
Her skin is pale as she stares at the screen.
“Val?” I rush to her side, uncertain what could be wrong. “Darling?”
She turns the phone my way, revealing the photo I snapped of her just after the ceremony yesterday that now serves as my wallpaper. “This is me.”
“Of course it’s you.” I gently take the phone from her. “You’re my wife.” I tap in the passcode, keeping it aimed her way as I select the numbers so she can see the order. “I changed this to our wedding date, so keep that in mind if you ever need to open it for any reason.”
She doesn’t watch what I’m doing, just stares at me as if I’ve grown a second head. Instead of waiting for her to respond, I collect my bag and sling it over one shoulder before taking her hand in mine. “Let’s get you somewhere I won’t have to worry about someone snatching you away. I have no desire to be fully grey before I’m forty.”