apart.
And I know that no matter what I do, Ari will stay one step ahead of me.
But how can he know I’m lying about anything?
And why does the accusation hurt so fucking much?
Ari
I have to admit it was surprising when Adeline’s first text came through. I’d expected her to tough out the situation for longer than a few hours, for her to pretend she wasn’t affected even if the truth of it was written all over her face.
Not recognizing the number, I read the message and laughed to realize I’d rattled her at lunch. For a woman who is so good at hiding herself from the people around her, she has no suitable disguises when it comes to me. Everything she says and does speaks to what she’s thinking inside that messed up little head of hers.
Granted, it isn’t fair. I’ve been watching her for so long that I can tell you what she’ll do before she does it, at least I thought I could.
The burner phone was surprising, and it rattled me enough that I’d agreed to meet her at her old house, which, while enjoyable, was not something I’d intended to do this early.
It had taken strength to walk away from her. To step into shadows I knew could hide me and watch her crumble by that door.
Memories came back to me of another time I’d seen her cry like that, the first time I’d let myself near her when she was sleepwalking.
It hurt to see it. I can’t deny that. The last thing I want to do is cause her pain, but sometimes that’s what’s necessary when you’re stumbling through life and need somebody else to knock you back on course.
Adeline isn’t just stumbling, she’s falling, the hole she’s digging for herself swallowing every piece of her that makes her truly unique.
She’s exchanged truth for pleasantries.
Strength for weakness.
A colorful, vibrant soul for boring beige.
I can’t feel bad for hurting her because that’s what the universe does to a person when they’ve forgotten their path.
Only I’m not the universe, I’m just a man obsessed, a person who knows and loves her for all the crazy and charming behaviors her husband is intent to change.
A fucking Stepford wife, that’s what Grant wants, and I won’t let him take someone so unique just to bleed the life out of her until there’s nothing left but a dried out husk of who she once was.
Which is why I’m standing in front of a mirror right now, buckling a belt over my slate grey slacks, my black shirt still unbuttoned where it hangs over my tense shoulders.
The elevator to my penthouse dings, and I look up to see Lincoln stroll in, brown eyes that miss nothing locking to my face, suspicion arching his brow.
“A little fancy for date night with me, don’t you think?”
My jaw ticks. “I sent you a text cancelling.”
He leans a shoulder against the wall and watches while I button my shirt.
“You always send me a text cancelling, and I always show up to drag you out anyway. By the look of it, you have other plans.”
My hands stop, and I snap my eyes to him. “Didn’t I take your key to my place last time you were here?”
He grins. “You did, but I had copies made.”
Cursing under my breath, I finish buttoning my shirt and tuck it in, not bothering to look at Lincoln when I answer, “I have a dinner party to attend.”
“You don’t do dinner parties. Last I checked, you avoid all people unless they’re paying you money to kill someone, or they’re the person you’re killing.”
A pause, the silence filled with the accusation I know is coming.
“Fuck. You’re messing around with Adeline again, aren’t you?”
I won’t meet his stare. Instead, I turn around and grab my jacket from the back of the couch to slip it on.
“She needs a wake up call. I’m simply the person giving it to her.”
Lincoln steps up to me, his height equaling mine.
“Dinner party where?”
“Her house.”
Our eyes lock for several seconds before he laughs and shakes his head.
“You sly son of a bitch. I knew it wouldn’t last. That girl has been all you think about since the minute you first saw her, and now you’re weaseling your way in again. It’s driving you nuts you can’t keep close tabs.”
A roll of my eyes.
“Well, of fucking course. You think I actually want to eat dinner there? But, how else am I supposed to figure out their security system if I