When the Heart Lies - By Christina North Page 0,41

eyes.

Before long, they picked up the conversation where they’d left off. When Angela came back from the ladies room, they immediately stopped talking. She glanced from one to the other. “A person would think you’re talking about them, the way you cut off conversing.” She eyeballed the empty chairs with pursed lips. “Where did Xavier and Olivia go?”

“They had some business to take care of,” Nick said.

“Don’t you mean she’s off trying to seduce my husband again? I mean, really, can’t the woman get the hint. He’ll never leave me.” She cast her eyes away and finished her after dinner cocktail. “Oh, Jackson, I’m so sorry. What was I thinking saying such a thing in front of you?”

“Smiling, Jackson leaned his forearm onto the table to rest his drink. “Don’t even think about it.” He maintained eye contact until she glanced away uncomfortably. He’d surmised early on that Angela always knew exactly what she was saying.

Xavier and Olivia returned to the table. Awkward silence hovered around them. Before anyone could speak, Xavier turned to Angela. “Well, Angela, I’ve taken care of the check. Are you about ready to leave?”

“That would be splendid. I’ve had a long day. The three of you enjoy yourselves. Call a car if you drink too much. Nice meeting you, Jackson.” She stood as she spoke, not making eye contact with him. Instead, she tilted her head toward Olivia. “Olivia.”

When Xavier and Angela left, Nick turned to them. “Well, unless you drive into the city not much is going on here. How would you feel about coming to my house? I could call my friend, Mia. Might be nicer with the four of us.”

“That sounds great,” Olivia said, glancing over at Jackson for confirmation.

“Olivia, you remember where my parents live. We’re down the road about a mile from them, 316 Sentinel Drive. We’ll meet in twenty minutes.”

~ ~ ~

After enduring a few more hours with Wayde, Savannah, and Remy, Kinsley got up from the table. If she had to spend one more minute with the three of them, she’d go batty. “I’m going to bed.”

Wayde grabbed her wrist. “Wait for me, darlin’. I’m comin’ in a minute.”

She yanked her arm away. “I’m sleeping with Max.”

Wayde glared at Kinsley and then shifted his cold eyes toward Remy and Savannah, letting her know she’d better shut her mouth.

Remy sneered at her. “You handle your problem, Wayde. I’m taking my woman to bed. She wouldn’t think of givin’ me any trouble. Would ya, baby?”

“Why would I want to?” Savannah corkscrewed her neck and upper body, batting her lashes for effect, and headed to her room, dragging Remy along by the hand.

When the door to Savannah’s room closed, Wayde said, “Don’t you go embarrassing me in front of my friends. You better cut your shit. Go get in bed.” Motioning her off with a whip-like movement of his head, he opened and began to pack a fresh box of Marlboros, pounding the box hard against the palm of his hand several times.

“I said I’m sleeping with Max.”

He got up fast, tipping the chair over; it fell to the floor with a thud. Both stood silent not breaking their stare. He stalked toward her slowly, grabbed her by the throat, and maintained a brutal grip. She couldn’t get a breath out. She tried to move away, but he seized her around the waist, pulling her closer.

Squashing his cheek against hers, he whispered into her ear. “You git your ass into bed, and if you make a goddamn sound to embarrass me, I’ll be beat the shit out of you right in front of them.” Then he looked at her. His eyes were menacing as he spoke through gritted teeth. “And I’ll make sure it’s a good show.” When he nodded toward the bedroom, she headed in.

Wayde closed the door behind him when he entered and took a seat on the side of the bed. He remained quiet while removing his shoes and socks and then turned the radio on. Too loud for nighttime. She continued to stand facing the dresser and pulled out a nightgown. This was her life now.

“I need to wash my face and brush my teeth,” she said.

“Hurry up and get back here.”

She brushed her teeth, but couldn’t take her eyes off the mirror; she didn’t recognize the woman standing in front of her. How had she gotten here? It wasn’t so long ago the woman she saw stood at an altar with a man who promised her