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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.
