The Private Serials Box Set(102)
“As much as we all want to be rid of each other, we’re basically all in the same boat, and we’re all looking for the same resolution: to be done with Edgar forever. And each other.” I let my words sink in, my gaze holding steady with his.
Derrek took one more pause then sighed loudly. “What’s the plan, then?”
“First,” Lena started, and I watched Derrek’s expression move from indifference to surprise as he realized she was running the show, “I’m going to need you to sign divorce papers. And those papers officially transfer most of the money you took from our marriage back to me.” Derrek moved to argue, his mouth popping open almost instantaneously, but she didn’t let him get a word in. “Don’t worry, I’m leaving you enough to start a new life with your family, but I’m taking most of it, and I’ll pay off your debt to Edgar.”
That last bit surprised him, and I could see him mulling it around in his mind, trying to fit the pieces of the puzzle Lena and I had built together.
“Why would I give you all of my money and trust you to pay off Edgar?”
“You won’t have any other choice,” she replied, her voice cold and flat. Derrek moved from foot to foot, his nerves giving his uneasiness away.
“Why wouldn’t I have any other choice?” His voice was low and teetering on the edge of scared and nervous.
“Because, Derrek. You’ll be dead.”
Chapter Eight
It took Derrek about a minute to think about the deal Lena was offering him, even though she wouldn’t elaborate. But after that minute he decided he needed to bring Jessica into the discussion. Lena didn’t miss a beat and agreed, which only made me admire her more. The idea that she was willing to have a civil, albeit strange, conversation with her husband’s mistress only made my affection for her grow.
Derrek called Jessica and we all agreed to meet at the bar of the hotel after Jessica arranged for childcare for their girls.
Lena and I sat at a table, she with her vodka martini and me with my scotch, and my hand rested firmly on the fleshiest part of her thigh. For just one moment I was irritated by the pants she was wearing, wanting my hand to be on her skin, to feel the heat radiating off her, but my thoughts were cut short by the sight of Derrek and Jessica walking into the bar, hand in hand. I had never met Jessica, but her face gave all her feelings away; she was scared, nervous, and trying like hell to appear the exact opposite. The most prominent thought circulating through my mind was that she couldn’t hold a candle to Lena. She was nothing in comparison. I couldn’t help but wonder how Derrek could leave someone like Lena behind in favor of Jessica. The quandary was short lived though, because it didn’t matter why he’d left Lena. She was mine now. His loss was my ultimate and phenomenal gain.
Lena didn’t stand as they approached our table, so I followed her lead and remained seated as well.
“Lena,” Jessica said in greeting as she pulled a chair out and took a seat. “I’d say it was nice to see you, but honestly, I’m a little irritated by your appearance in Greece, so I won’t insult you by lying.”
“Funny. You didn’t have a problem lying to my face about sleeping with my husband and ruining my marriage.” Lena’s verbal jab was sharp and hit its target dead center. I watched as Jessica scrambled for a response, but Lena wasn’t waiting for her and just continued on. “I’m not here to fight with you, Jessica. In fact, I’m here for something quite the opposite.” She reached down into the bag sitting by her feet and pulled out the manila envelope, sliding it across the table to where Derrek had sat next to Jessica.
“It’s simple, Derrek. You sign these papers, we fax them back to the US, to Preston’s brother. When the money is transferred and safely received in my account, you’ll get the other manila envelope in my bag that guarantees your safety along with the safety of Jessica and your girls.”
“What’s in the other envelope?” Jessica asked.
“That’s not up for discussion,” I interjected. We needed to maintain the upper hand and giving them too much information too early wouldn’t be wise.
“You expect me to gamble my future on some mystery envelope?” Derrek’s voice was growing irritated and angry.
“This isn’t a game,” Jessica added.
“You’re right. This isn’t a game. This is life and death, I’m afraid,” I said sharply, trying to show them I wasn’t trying to play with them at all. “I want out of this mess just as much as you. We’ve all got something important to us on the line. This isn’t a gamble; this is a way out. For all of us.”
“I’ve never given you any reason not to trust me,” Lena said, her voice a little softer than before, her eyes focused on Derrek. “I gave you, arguably, the best years of my life. My youth. Possibly my only chance at having a family. But I never lied to you. I’ll remind you, you’re the one who got us all into this mess. Be a man for once in your life and make the right decision.”
Derrek took the envelope, opened it, and his eyes moved over the pages of the document. He flipped through it, taking his time examining the fine print, then put it down on the table, bringing his eyes to Lena’s again. “You expect me to give you everything besides two million dollars? You think I’m going to just hand everything I’ve worked for over to you?”