Penance (Devout Trilogy #3) - Lesli Richardson Page 0,3
the ass by Daniel while I do it.
Hell, she can even cite that she wanted kids and I ended up changing my mind and not wanting them. That’s a lie, but she’s been very careful to never tell anyone else she didn’t want children. I’d gladly go along with that charade, because it also paints her in a favorable light.
Anyone who knows me at all will agree what a workaholic I am and how much she’s complained about it over the years to anyone who’d listen.
When I finally drop the big-D bomb on her, I need to make sure it’s before I make my next run for office.
If I make another run.
Or…
Maybe that’s how I need to play this. Tell her right now I’m not running again. Even if my father manages to survive another five years—which looks more iffy every month—he’ll be too far gone for me to worry about him fucking me over.
I hope.
I tap out a reply to Daniel’s text because there will be hell to pay if I don’t.
Yes, Sir.
Send.
I log out of the e-mail account and finish what I was doing. I find Olivia impatiently waiting downstairs in the living room, sitting on the couch and working on her laptop.
She practically slams the lid shut and sets it on the coffee table before she stands. “About damned time. Maybe I should stick a cork up your ass to hold in your nervous stomach.”
Barely suppressing a bray of anxious laughter, because I’m not at all certain I won’t be sporting some sort of plug in my ass by the end of the evening, I reach for my overcoat where it hangs from a hook in the entry. “Yes, I’m feeling a little better. Thank you for your concern, darling.”
She makes a disgusted noise. She’s always hated that term of endearment, which is why, when I use any for her, it’s always that particular one.
“I’m here now,” I say. “Are you ready?” I grab her coat and hold it out to her as she walks over.
She snatches it from my hand and pulls it on. “Are you going to act pissy all night?”
“I’m not acting pissy. Look, if you want to go without me, feel free. I’d be happy to stay home. I’ve got more than enough work to do.”
That’s a bluff I know she won’t call and a tiny, secret surge of victory rushes through me as her expression falls.
“You can’t stay home! I can’t go without you. How would that look, I tell people you’re sick at home, and I left you here alone?”
At least she’s predictable. Always worried about her image.
I’m reaching for the doorknob when the sudden realization hits me that I don’t feel the slightest bit guilty now the way I used to over manipulating her.
I’m…enjoying it.
As miserable as she’s treated me throughout the years, I’m finally enjoying something about our marriage.
There’s irony for you.
* * * *
It’s a chilly October night with a biting wind. I don’t find it uncomfortable, after my seven years spent attending college in New York City, but my native Georgia wife hates it with a passion, turning her mood even more foul.
Olivia spends our entire drive on her phone and wearing a disgusted look on her face. The exclusive country club where this event’s happening tonight is familiar to me, because Olivia’s dragged me here several times over the past year for her social and work bullshit. In addition, GOP lawmakers and other politically adjacent folks have invited me to various functions held here.
Thank God I’ve put off applying for membership. Olivia wants me to, but I don’t. It would mean losing a perfect excuse not to play golf, and I’m sick of that fucking game. I hate it with a passion and always have. The only reason I learned to play was, of course, my father making me learn.
At least tonight’s a charity fundraiser and not a political event.
Doesn’t mean politics won’t be discussed. There will be plenty of sausage churned out at this event, I’m sure.
I can’t help hoping it’s not the only sausage I’ll be dealing with.
Yeah, that was bad, I know. But the faint hope that I’ll get to spend even a little time with Daniel tonight is the only reason I’m able to stomach being here with Olivia in the first place. The past two weeks have been busy for all three of us, and I’ve barely had any time alone with Daniel, or Liam.
We arrive on time and Olivia can