The Private Serials Box Set(101)
“Did he agree to your plan?”
“I didn’t tell him yet. I told him we’d meet this morning.” I paused, watching her face give away all the emotions she was feeling as she took in the new information. “I wanted to give you the opportunity to talk to him, to tell him what needed to happen.” I searched her eyes, hoping she would give me a clue as to what she was thinking. I knew Lena didn’t love Derrek anymore, hadn’t for a while even before I came into the picture, but he was her husband. She’d spent many years with him and I’d be a fool to think there wasn’t at least one small part of her that cared what happened to him. “I know I spoke with him last night without you, but I wasn’t even sure he was here.” My hand found her face again, trying to offer her something soothing, something warm and gentle when I knew there must have been so many thoughts racing through her mind. “I needed him to know that I wouldn’t allow him to hurt you, see you, or even think about you without my permission.” She leaned her cheek into my touch, which only intensified the possessive feelings that were growing inside of me.
“He needed to know you’re mine now: my life, my responsibility, my property. I own you. Just as much as you own me, Lena. I just needed to make that clear to him before I let him see you again. I’m sorry if that upsets you.”
She shook her head just slightly, bringing her entire body to lie right next to mine. “That doesn’t upset me. I am yours. I never belonged to Derrek the way I belong to you.”
I knew it was true, even before she’d admitted it, but no words had ever been more beautiful coming from her mouth. I leaned forward and kissed her, my hand moving from her cheek to the back of her neck, holding her firmly to me, giving her everything in that kiss. I pulled away just far enough to speak.
“So, you’ll come with me then?”
“Of course. He needs to understand this is his best option. I can reason with him, I think.”
“All right, then.”
I watched her roll away from me and walk naked to the bathroom, then I heard the water start to fall from the shower. I closed my eyes and prayed I wasn’t making a mistake, hoped I wasn’t walking the most precious possession I had into a trap.
Two hours later, we’d walked through the iconic and somewhat ancient streets of Athens. The streets wound through the village, slowly descending toward the water, where boats lined the marina. Some small boats, some enormous boats, and most falling somewhere in between. Lena and I, hand in hand, came upon Derrek standing exactly where I’d told him to meet us. His back was to us as he looked out over the water. The sounds of our footsteps alerted him to our arrival, and he turned just as we approached him. When his face came into view, I felt Lena’s hand grip mine more tightly.
“I see you made the smart choice to meet me here,” I said, coming to a stop just feet from him. The blue water behind him, glittering and beautiful, was a stark contrast to the dark circles and bags underneath his eyes.
“Yes, well, I didn’t really see another option.” He glanced at Lena and my gut clenched, watching as his eyes roamed over her body from head to toe. Luckily for him, he didn’t look longingly at her, just seemed to be taking inventory. “Lena,” he said to her in greeting, coldly, and I felt her stiffen beside me.
She nodded in response, but said nothing. I pulled her a little closer.
“You look well,” he said. Again, not in a way that made me think he was admiring her, but just making an observation. Before I could cut in and redirect the conversation, she responded.
“Two months in paradise will do that to a person.” Her words were short and powerful. I got the feeling she wanted him to know that life without him was better for her, that she’d been able to move on and find happiness even after he’d tried to ruin her.
“Yes, well, isn’t that what we’re all after? A little piece of heaven?” His arm swung out to motion around him, to show us that we’d invaded his paradise and that he wanted us out. “Now, tell me what you want from me so we can get this show on the road. Jessica doesn’t know where I am, or that you’ve come to force my hand. I’d like to get back to her and the girls before she gets suspicious.”
“Already lying to her?” Lena’s voice rang clear and sharp amidst the sounds of the marina—water slapping against the sides of boats, birds calling out overhead, sails being filled with wind.
“I’m here because your boyfriend basically threatened me last night and that’s the only reason. The instant either one of you insinuates that my relationship with Jessica is anything in comparison to the sham of a marriage I had with you, this conversation will be over. The way you feel about Lena,” Derrek said to me now, pointing a finger in my direction, “is the same way I feel about my family. Threaten them and you’ll never see me again.”
“Well, I won’t threaten you, but I will tell you if you don’t cooperate and take the help I’m offering, you probably won’t live to see your girls start school. And I can’t guarantee Edgar will spare their lives either. This isn’t a threat, Derrek, this is reality. The choice is up to you.”
All three of us were silent for a moment as he contemplated his next move. There was a part of me that hoped he walked away, hoped that Edgar came looking for him and delivered whatever punishment he thought his money was worth. Another part of me, the part that loved Lena and wanted her safe and sound, was silently begging him to trust me, to let me help him, even if he didn’t deserve it.