Chapter 6
Chapter Six
BLAKE
There was no way in hell that I could remain in that house with Truly.
Not after having a taste of her. I knew for her safety and my sanity that I had to get the hell out of there.
I’ve been staying at my office and crashing on the couch.
I don’t know how I’ve kept away this long.
The pull to be close to Truly is almost unbearable.
So many times I almost gave in, but I know this is what’s best for her.
Thankfully, I have security cameras throughout our home, and I’ve kept a person watching the door. She is free to go if she wants. To the store or to grab a coffee, but she hasn’t gone anywhere.
Would it be going too far if I cloned her phone? She does everything on it. She reads or listens to audiobooks. Instead of using one of the televisions, she watches shows and movies from her phone too.
I was able to figure out a few of the movies and one show. I started turning it on when she did. It’s a dumb thing to do. Insane, actually. Like we’re fucking watching it together and not miles apart.
I run my hand down my face.
She only brought one bag with her. I knew she would have more back at school, and I sent someone to collect her things. Also, to return the passport to her friend. Thankfully, Truly peeked around and saw the home was ready for her.
I’d filled the closets and bathroom with all the things she’d need, but she can get anything she likes. I wanted her to come home to something of her own. I thought it would help her feel more settled in. I felt a sense of relief when she used the items and clothes.
Her own belongings have finally arrived.
The boxes are all still by the door. She’ll pull items out and return others.
It’s pissing me off that she’s not unpacking.
Does she think she’ll be going anywhere?
I was a dick for blackmailing her, but I’d do it again.
I can’t let her go. That’s the reason I’m in all of this to begin with.
A knock sounds at my door.
“Come in,” I call out, and Emily appears.
“Fresh dry cleaning and coffee.” She hangs the clothes on the hook by the bathroom door before placing my coffee on my desk.
I have crashed many nights here while working. Back then there was nothing to go home to. It’s why I have a full bathroom in my office. It never bothered me before to stay here, but knowing Truly is home in our bed has me tossing and turning with my mind reeling.
I grab my coffee and take a giant swallow. “Mr. Adams is on hold, wanting to speak with you.”
“My father-in-law,” I remind her.
“And you have a dinner meeting this evening.” Fuck, I’d forgotten about that, and I don’t forget about anything. I can’t miss it.
“All right.” I grab my phone for her to push the call through. “You can go,” I tell her when Adams's voice comes over the line. I wait for her to be clear of my office before I respond to him. I'm not sure how this conversation is going to go.
I know that Truly hasn't spoken with them, but they could be texting or possibly emailing.
"Adams," I answer.
"How are you doing, Blake?" he asks like we're old friends and our relationship hasn’t been hostile at times, but I'm sure he'd say that's how families are.
That's not how I plan for my own to be. I glance at my computer screen to see Truly eating the breakfast I had delivered.
Shit, maybe it will be if the two of us continue down this path.
"Everything is fine. Is there an issue?" I have nearly retired him, saving him from financial ruin.
"Truly's graduation. I figured we'd all be going and wanted to hammer out the details for the plane." He doesn't know. It appears she has not only a disdain for me but also for her parents as well.
"I'm not going," I tell him.
"What?" It clearly has never been a secret that Truly always held a place in my heart. How else would they have known to use it against me?
"Things have come up. I'm sure you can manage on your own."
"She's your wife." He has the audacity to sound offended.
"And?"
The line goes quiet.
If Truly honestly wants nothing to do with her parents, good riddance to them.
They mean nothing to me. I no longer have to play nice.
But I'm not going to show my hand yet. I want her father to think that maybe over the years my interest in Truly has wavered and she isn't so important to me anymore.
Let him start to believe that he might not hold a trump card any longer.
“You should be there.”
“No one has wanted me there before,” I point out.
“But it’s time.” I can hear the uncertainty in his voice.
“When you return to the States, you can drop her off at our home.”
"Blake—"
"I have to go. I'm already late for a meeting," I lie, not wanting to continue this conversation with him.
"Okay, but—"
"You can email me," I say before ending the call. I stare at my computer screen watching Truly. I tab it down, knowing I’ll drive myself insane watching her, so I let myself fall into work. I’ll be alerted if she leaves to go anywhere.
I don’t come up for air until Emily reminds me of my dinner meeting. I change in my bathroom and head down; my driver is already waiting for me.
When we pull up to the Pearl Plaza, I'm surprised but then realize that the building is across the street from Lauren’s law office. I spot her sitting at the bar. As always, her head is down, her full attention on her phone as she clicks away furiously.
"Evening," I say, slipping into the chair next to hers.
"Sorry, just another second." I order a whiskey neat while she finishes up. "Sorry," she says again, putting her phone down. "Are you cool with only drinks, or do you want to eat?"
"This is fine," I tell her.
I have known Lauren for years. She is one of the best lawyers in the country. You can’t push her around just because you have a big wallet. Everyone wants her to be their lawyer, and they've all got money. It lets her sift through who she will and won't take on as clients.
"Are you excited?" she asks. "Your wife will be home soon."
"She is home."
"Oh." Her brows rise.
"Things have changed," I tell her before getting into all the details. I had Lauren look over the contract years ago about me taking over and being the CEO of XXX.
I absorbed my own company into it as well but made sure I had controlling shares.
That all of this was wrapped around Truly.
Not wanting her family's name to be run through the mud, I cleaned up everyone's mess to make sure she was safe.
I had planned things so differently in my head, but what Adams told me about Truly had me shifting my plans.
"I never liked this from the start," she says for the millionth time. "But I knew your obsession with Truly and that you wouldn’t be satisfied until you knew she was protected." Her expression softens. "But now I'm wondering if you're thinking that everyone not only lied to you but to Truly too."
I rub my temples. "Yes, I have been pondering it."
“I’m going to go back over the contracts. Maybe I should speak to your wife too, but I think you need to speak with her first.”
“I know.”
“Avoiding it doesn’t change whatever it is she’s going to tell you.”
I nod, picking up my whiskey and shooting it back. “What if she tells me she never wanted any of this? That they forced her?”
I should have spoken to her. I trusted what her parents had said, that Truly wanted to at least finish out college and have an independent life before settling down. So I gave her freedom, or as much as I could bear.
I thought she still had her crush on me. That it would grow from there when she returned. But she might not have wanted this marriage at all.
"Or what if she tells you that she wanted it or that she never wanted to go to college? Or maybe she did want to go but thought you'd be in contact with her because, with the pieces you've told me about what she said in your office the other day, she sounds like she feels abandoned."
"Fuck," I mutter. "And I went and did it again. Not returning to our home, or at least not when she was aware.”
"I was about to say that, but I'm glad you're starting to think more clearly."
"I always think clearly," I sigh.
"Except when emotions get involved. Trust me, I can fight a boardroom full of men, but when my girlfriend gets going, I'm at a loss for words half the time. It's different with them."
“How is Emma?” I ask. They’ve been together for a few years, but the relationship has been hush-hush because of Emma’s family.
“Really good.” She smiles. “An announcement is coming.”
“I’m happy for you.”
“I want to be happy for you too.” She slides off her chair. “You get the bill and then go home to your wife,” she orders. “I’ll be in contact.”
I pull out my wallet to pay when Emily slips into the seat Lauren just vacated. “What are you doing here?” I ask, confused.
“You rushed out. I needed you to sign the Link deal.”
“I did.”
“I don’t see it.” She slides the tablet over to me, and there isn’t a signature. I could have sworn I signed off on it this afternoon, but who knows. I don’t trust my thoughts right now. I’m more moving through the motions and need to be paying better attention.
I flip through the document, making sure it’s the right one before I sign. “Did you eat?” Emily asks.
“No, but I will when I get home with my wife.”
“Oh, no more sleeping in the office?”
“I’m not sure about that.” I shake my head, wondering how tonight will go. I pull out my phone as I get up and send a text to my driver.
“I’m sorry. If you need someone to talk to—” she offers.
“I’ll see you at the office,” I say, dismissing her before heading out of the hotel bar.
There is only one place I truly want to be. I just hope that maybe Truly could one day want me there too.