Penance (Devout Trilogy #3) - Lesli Richardson Page 0,26
started using it when I’m here. “It’s all right. I appreciate that, but I’ll be moved out by the end of this month, like we agreed.”
“Where will you be staying in DC?”
“Hotel.”
She scowls. “What?”
“What?”
“A hotel?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“Not…with those two?”
I’m trying not to get pissed off at her about that, but she’s trying my patience. “No. Again, why?”
She slowly shakes her head. “I just figured since they were your friends that they’d offer you a place to stay.”
“No. They don’t have a guest room, anyway. Besides, I’m not going to impose on someone like that. I can afford to use a hotel. It’s not for too much longer, and will save me a lot of money and aggravation.”
She tries one last time as we’re walking out. “I really don’t mind if you—”
“Olivia, thank you for offering, but no.”
She scowls. “My parents said maybe I should drop the divorce.”
I shake my head. “If you do, I’ll refile it immediately.” I harden my gaze. “And if I do that, I swear I’ll spread the rumor that you’re only trying to stay married to me to sponge off my inheritance.”
Her eyes widen. “You wouldn’t!”
I glare at her. “Try me, lady. You know what my father was like. Don’t assume I didn’t inherit some of his bastardly ways. We’re getting divorced, and that’s final.”
She stomps off in a huff and I wait until she’s left to head to my car.
* * * *
I’ve just emerged from the shower when my doorbell rings. I check the viewfinder first and relief fills me that it’s Liam and Daniel.
When I let them in, they surround me, hugging me, and that’s when all the emotion finally pours out of me.
I break down crying in their arms and they guide me into my bedroom to cradle me between them.
“You’re so close now,” Daniel says, holding me. “You’re so very close, boy.”
“Olivia asked me about stopping the divorce.” I tell them what happened and Liam darkly glares.
“Fuck that bitch,” he says. “She can’t stop you from filing.”
“It does mean we have to be extra careful,” Daniel says. “I wouldn’t put it past her to have him followed.”
“Shit,” Liam mutters.
“What about right now?” I ask.
“We’re not leaving yet,” Daniel says. “But we probably shouldn’t stay the night. We can explain several hours as old friends comforting you.”
“It means I can’t come to your hotel, either, doesn’t it?”
“Sorry, buddy,” Daniel says.
“That’s okay,” Liam says. “Once the divorce is final, then you’ll be free. How long will that take?”
I sigh. “Probably another six months, at least. Or longer, if Olivia farts around with things.”
But then Liam grabs me and kisses me, and moments later we’re all naked and making love.
Even as my men comfort me, I realize something—I don’t know how I can be with them right now without risking everything.
Daniel’s right that she would have me followed. She probably didn’t before all this started, because she never would have assumed I was doing something.
According to the prenup, even though the divorce is in progress, until it’s final, she can ding me if she catches me with anyone.
Once we’ve exhausted each other and we’re lying sprawled across each other in my bed, I say it. “It’ll be a while before we can do this again.”
Liam grabs me by the head and kisses me. “Don’t you dare fucking tell me good-bye.”
“It’s temporary, Master.”
“It is,” Daniel says. “A temporary good-bye.” He kisses me. “Once you’re free, once you’re out of office—everything changes for the better.”
I nod. “Yeah.”
Later that night, after they’ve left, I realize that Liam, and possibly even Daniel, are tethered to denial every bit as strong as my father was.
Because there’s no way we can hide a relationship even after my divorce. Liam’s now considered senior leadership, his profile rising even more.
If my penance for the harm I caused earlier in my life is to be alone now so that I don’t drag them down…
Then I guess I’ll just have to suck it up.
Chapter Nine
Later…
With my father dead, my term in office over, and my marriage officially terminated as of three months ago, I’m forced to take stock of my life.
I know I told Dad I was going to go retire on his money, but I can’t do that when so much of my personal life is…unresolved.
I miss Daniel and Liam like Hell and suspect that, even though they insisted our farewell was only temporary, it will be permanent. Because Liam will have another campaign to run in just a couple of years, and attention