against her beautiful body.
Touching something that no longer belongs to him.
Needless to say, it pisses me off. I can’t hold it against her. I’ve watched her fuck other men. A long time ago, granted, but it’s happened before. I’ll survive it. And the only reason I didn’t grab my gun and make a house call that would have ended in violence was because she wasn’t enjoying what the asshole was doing to her.
Just like all the others.
She lays there with her eyes staring at the ceiling, every bit of the wild, dirty soul she has trapped inside her head, unresponsive.
But still, they fuck.
That night...and every night after.
Every. Fucking. Night.
Almost like I was the aphrodisiac that restarted their marriage. But not for her.
For him.
I knot the tie at my throat and tug it tighter, watching the video of the first night for the twenty-seventh time.
Judge me for it. I don’t give the first fuck about your opinion. I haven’t been right in the head since the day I found her, and this is just another symptom of the insanity Adeline has caused.
It’s been two weeks since I’ve spoken to her. I’ve heard from Grant at least six times since then, but not her.
The silence is only pissing me off more.
Slamming the laptop closed, I cross the room to the mirror to ensure my tie is straight, black on a black shirt, before pulling the jacket on for my black suit, the absolute lack of color a bleak reminder of what I feel when she isn’t within reach.
I’ve taken a few jobs to fill the time. I’ve had dinner with Lincoln. But nothing has distracted me enough that she isn’t constantly on my mind.
Her show is tonight.
I glance in the mirror again.
And rip the tie off.
I fucking hate the things, they’re too restrictive. And with as aggravated as I already am, I don’t need the added annoyance. Plus, the likelihood I might use it to strangle Grant is high. Then again, I can make anything a weapon to use against someone if I want them dead bad enough. My leaving the tie at home doesn’t make him any safer.
Grabbing my keys and phone, I slip them both in my pocket as I take the elevator down to the garage, slip into the driver’s seat of my car and head downtown with a chip on my shoulder and a hell of a grudge.
I want to turn around, want to disappoint Adeline as much as she disappoints me, but I wind the streets regardless, find parking nearby and eat the distance to the gallery with a powerful stride.
Approaching the door, I nod my head at a young, blond woman at the door handing out brochures about the event. I take one to be polite. Not that I need it.
I’ve already bought every photo she has on display tonight, and I haven’t even seen them yet.
Thankfully, Rebecca was more than happy to accept my generous offer prior to the event, amusement in her voice when we spoke on the phone.
You remind me of my husband, she’d said, but didn’t elaborate on why. Not giving a damn who I reminded her of, I made sure nobody would walk away with a piece of Adeline.
She’s mine.
Every part of her.
Even the photos that are windows giving a clear view of what goes on in her mind.
Almost immediately when I step inside, I see Adeline standing with Rebecca. She’s beautiful, as usual. Her expression bright, blue eyes wide. Those blood red lips curve in a genuine smile while a third woman points to a photo I can’t see yet and makes some remark.
My gaze wanders the length of Adeline’s strapless black and silver gown, pausing over each curve where the fabric clings to her body.
Rebecca turns her head at that moment and catches sight of me, her hand touching Adeline’s shoulder as she whispers something and then walks my direction.
Part of the deal we made is that I’m an anonymous buyer. And just like I knew she would, she manages to slip away without drawing attention to my arrival.
“You look nice,” she says as she steps up to me as graceful as a dancer. I don’t bother to smile, it’s not my thing, but the lack of even the polite attempt doesn’t appear to bother her.
With an elegant hand, she sweeps her long strawberry blond hair from her shoulder so that it falls down her back, and she cradles her other hand beneath her round stomach before angling her