VICTORIOUS (A Quantum Novel)(5)

Candace’s cheerfulness and upbeat personality are a balm on my wounded soul. Her plan sounds heavenly, and it’s just what I need.





Chapter 2





I’m losing my mind. There’s no other way to describe the desperation that has overtaken me. I can’t eat, sleep, breathe or think about anything other than Natalie and what I can do to fix things between us. I can’t live without her—not for a minute, a day or a week. I’ll go mad if I don’t see her for a week.

She told me to leave her alone, but she didn’t tell me I had to stay in LA and leave her alone.

True to her word, Addie brings my cell phone to me around five that afternoon.

“I need you to get me on a flight to New York. Tonight.”

“I’m not sure I can get you a private plane with so little notice.”

“Then I’ll fly commercial.”

She hesitates, and I know she’s thinking that I’ve been asked not to fly commercial because of the uproar my presence causes in the airports. At times like this, I f*cking hate the fame that comes with my chosen profession.

“How long is Natalie planning to be in Colorado?” Addie asks.

“I don’t know.” I don’t tell her I didn’t know she was going there. “She’s got security with her, right?”

“Two guys, and they’re staying at a Marriott rather than at her sister’s place. I took the liberty of overnighting the credit and debit cards you asked me to get for her to the hotel. I hope that was the right thing to do.”

“Yeah. I want her to have money, even if she doesn’t want me anymore.”

“She still wants you. I’ve seen the way she looks at you. Whatever this is, you’ll never convince me it can’t be fixed.” She withdraws her phone from her pocket. “You still want to go to New York?”

I think about that for a moment. “You said when you talked to Candace about coming here, she had a really busy schedule at school, right?”

“Yes and a part-time job, too.”

“So it’ll probably be a short visit. I’ll go to New York. Natalie will end up there sooner rather than later.”

“I’ll see what I can do.” Addie gives my arm a squeeze before she heads off to make arrangements. A team of workers is finishing up replacing the window I smashed with a crystal vase this morning after Natalie left. I need to get a grip on my rage. That’s not going to help anything in this situation.

I scroll through the calls and texts I’ve missed since the FBI took my phone and see two calls from my mother. Since she usually texts, I decide I’d better call her back, even though I don’t want to talk to anyone—except Natalie. “Hey, Mom, what’s up?”

“There you are. I was starting to wonder if you two would ever come up for air.”

The reminder that I’m supposed to be on my honeymoon hits me like an arrow to the chest. “Crazy few days.”

“I’m sure,” she says with a low chuckle. She and my dad are thrilled with my choice of a wife. What would they think if they knew that my need for dominant sex and the fact that I lied to my wife about it has sent their new daughter-in-law running from me? “I wanted to talk to you about the wedding reception we’d like to have for you and Natalie.”

Tears fill my eyes, and I take a seat on the sofa, pressing my thumb and forefinger to my eyes. It becomes very clear to me right then and there that if I’ve permanently lost her, I’ll never get over it.

“Flynn?”

“Yeah, Mom, I’m here. Let me talk to Natalie and see what works. I’ll let you know, okay?”

“Of course. Whatever you guys want. We’re beyond excited to celebrate with both of you and to welcome Natalie into our family.”

My parents have been so wonderful to her, so amazingly welcoming and supportive during the firestorm that followed her painful past being made public. I can’t bear to disappoint them by confessing to how badly I’ve f*cked things up with her. I hope I never have to tell them that. “It’s really nice of you to want to do this. Thank you.”

“Are you kidding? It’s purely selfish. I’m so happy to see you in love with a sweet, caring woman who loves you for all the right reasons. You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this moment. You bet your ass we’re going to celebrate.”

It’s all I can do not to break down into sobs, to beg my mom to come over and tell me everything is going to be okay. But I don’t do that. I can’t do that. “We’re looking forward to it. I’ll get back to you.”