The Private Serials Box Set(40)

“Where did you go when you left the gala?”

“I wasn’t feeling well, so I left.”

“Yes, but where did you go?” His hand squeezed tighter around my arm and I tried to wiggle free from his grasp.

“Derrek, you’re hurting me.”

“I checked the records from the alarm system. It shows someone came home that night and deactivated the alarm, set it again when they left, but then no one came home again all weekend.” His eyes were wild and looking straight into mine. “Where were you?”

“I went to Samantha’s house,” I cried, finding the lie came to me quickly.

“All weekend?”

“I was sick and she didn’t want me alone. She knew you wouldn’t be here.” His grip tightened on my arm and his body pressed into mine. I cringed, looking away, trying not to let my body shiver in revulsion caused by his skin touching mine.

“You should have told me, Lena. I would have come home to take care of you.” His voice dropped low, and in years past it would have turned me on instantly. A month ago, even, had Derrek joined me in the shower, pressing his naked body against mine, I would have welcomed him and a chance to save our marriage, but now it was a lost cause. It took all my strength not to yell and scream at him that I knew the truth, I knew he was cheating and I had moved on as well. I bit my lip to keep the admission inside, but holding Preston’s name inside me hurt almost worse than the grip Derrek had on my arm.

“Where were you all weekend, Derrek? Surely you couldn’t have been at work this whole time?”

“Of course I was. I have spent the last seven years building this life for you, for us, and you couldn’t be more ungrateful.”

“I didn’t want this life. I wanted you. I wanted the man I married, the man I fell in love with. But somewhere along the line he went away, abandoned me. So, excuse me if you’re not the first person I call when I need someone.”

“Who is the first person you call then, Lena?”

“Sam.” My answer was quick, but I knew my eyes were darting back and forth between both of his. I was never a good liar and I was sure he didn’t believe me.

“I wonder what Sam would say if I called her and asked her how she’d spent her weekend.”

My heart rate sped up at his words. He couldn’t get to Sam before I had a chance to talk to her. “She’d tell you exactly what I have. Now, please, let go of me so I can go to work.” I wrenched my arm away from him and held in a sigh of relief when he let me go. I dashed out of the shower, grabbed my towel, and proceeded to get ready for work the fastest anyone ever had in the history of man. I was dressed and heading for the door before Derrek had even left the shower.

I nearly ran to the garage door, hopped in my car, and peeled out of the driveway before he could catch me or make me stop. When I was a mile or two away, I pulled into a parking lot and found a spot, parked my car, and let out a loud breath.

Then I had a breakdown.

My heart was pounding, hands shaking, breaths coming faster and faster. I grabbed my phone and called Sam.

“Hello?” she answered.

“Have you heard from Derrek?” I asked.

“Lena? What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

My terrified voice had given me away. “Did Derrek call you?”

“No. What’s going on? Where are you?”

“I’m on my way to work. I was at home and Derrek showed up asking me where I had been all weekend.” I took in a staggering breath, trying to get all the words in my brain to make their way out of my mouth. “I told him I was with you all weekend. Please, Sam, please, if he calls you I need you to tell him I was with you. Tell him I came over Friday night, and stayed until this morning.”

“Of course. Whatever you need. I’ll do anything, but you have to tell me what’s going on.”

“I can’t right now. But I will. I promise. But remember, if Derrek calls you, please tell him what I told you.”

“You’re scaring me, Lena.”

“I’m fine,” I lied. “I’ll be okay.” I sighed and wiped a tear that had escaped. “Can I call you later? I need to get to work.”

“Of course. Any time. Be safe, okay?”

“I will, and thank you for everything.”

We hung up and I put my car in drive, continuing my drive to work.



A few hours later, after countless sideways glances at my appearance and a few comments from concerned co-workers, I took my lunch break in a private conference room and called Preston.

“Sweetheart,” he said in greeting. It sounded as if just saying that word was a relief to him, as if it was a release.

“Preston,” I countered, suddenly very close to tears. “I don’t think I can wait until eleven to see you.” Perhaps I sounded needy and insecure, but that was exactly what I was feeling at the moment so it was useless to hide it.

“What happened?”

“Derrek came home this morning while I was getting ready for work.”

“Shit.”

I didn’t really know what else to say, but just speaking those words to him was already making me feel better.

“Did he touch you?” Preston’s voice was hard and deep. He felt very far away and I knew if I told him the truth about what had happened he would snap. I didn’t want him turning into a loose cannon if I could help it.