When the Heart Lies - By Christina North Page 0,60

he listened for a response.

Nick’s head remained behind the newspaper. “Visiting with mom. Good to catch you here, too.”

Angela entered with soup and sandwiches, served them, and then sat picking at her food as Xavier and Nick began eating and talking.

“Nick, I’m simply going to come out and ask,” Xavier said. “What’s going on in your head about Kinsley and Max?”

Nick became quiet and studied his food while he fingered the rim of this water glass. His relaxed disposition visibly changed as his lips bunched and pulled tensely. “I want Max home. Now.”

“Any thoughts on Kinsley?”

Angela began to answer for him. “I think he’s done talking. Enough about Kinsley.”

Xavier raised his hand for her to stop.

“I have a lot of thoughts about Kinsley, but I agree with Mom. I can’t keep waiting forever. Obviously, she doesn’t want to come back. Maybe taking Max will wake her up and get her back home where she belongs.” He dropped his head to the side, avoiding Xavier’s critical eye.

Xavier became quiet, stopped eating, and placed his napkin on the table.

Angela hurried to add in. “Your right, Ni …”

Xavier cast his eyes on her, effectively shutting her up. “Well, if that happens, it has to be handled delicately, and only if it’s in his best interest. I don’t think either of us wants Kinsley hurt.

If your reason for wanting him home is to bully her into coming back, it’s not in his best interest.”

Nick looked up from his food. “What about me? It’s okay if I’m hurt? She’s caused this, not me.”

Xavier laughed. “That’s a convenient way to look at it.”

They didn’t have much more to say to each other. They continued with their meal, focusing on business and social affairs. After a while, they finished up, and Xavier turned to Angela.

“Angela, thank you for lunch. Would you mind letting me speak to Nick alone for a moment?”

“Of course not.” She got up, cleared their plates, and hurried from the room.

“So Nick, how’s Mia been? Have you seen her lately?”

Nick looked up, not unlike a kid who had been caught stealing candy. “No, I haven’t. Not since dinner at the club. Why?” He’d never been a good liar.

“Just wondering.” Appearing disappointed, Xavier got up from the table to leave, but quickly turned back to Nick. “What the hell! Enough with the lies. What are you thinking? Mia’s a close family friend. Did Kinsley find out about this?”

“No.” He weakened under Xavier’s glare. “I don’t think so.”

Xavier turned his back to Nick and then turned back to face him again, lifting his hands questioningly into the air. “Do you love Kinsley?”

Nick’s brows scrunched with hostility. “Yes. She’s my wife, for Christ’s sake.”

“Then I suggest you start acting like a husband.”

Chapter 12

Kinsley tucked Max in with stories, kisses, and hugs. Then she watched him as he fell asleep. Once he was soundly sleeping, she went into the bedroom, locked the door behind her, and reached under the dresser for the bottle she’d taped there. She hadn’t taken any of the pills the doctor had prescribed. There were ninety. A month’s supply or a lethal dose. Lying down on the bed, she held them in her hand, near her heart. She’d leave there, and she didn’t care how. What if Wayde finds them? She jumped up.

In a hurry, she opened a drawer, grabbed one of her socks, and spilled half the pills into it. She stuffed the sock into the pocket of her jacket that was hanging in the closet and re-taped the remainder of the bottle to the underside of the dresser. Max had to be safely home with Nick before she attempted anything.

After three deep breaths, she opened the bedroom door, put on a smile, and walked into the kitchen. “Whew, took a while to get him to sleep tonight. Thank God he sleeps through anything. I’m taking some coffee out onto the porch to get a little fresh air. Would you like to join me Wayde?” If she didn’t invite him, he’d think she was trying to avoid him and would refuse to let her go. Remy would be there soon, and Wayde would expect her to sit there with them. She hoped to slip away alone for a little while until he forced her to socialize.

“Nah, you go ahead, but when Remy comes, I’m gonna want some company.”

“I guess we aren’t company enough for you,” Savannah said, returning to filing her nails.

Kinsley smiled sheepishly in Wayde’s direction, went to the porch, sat in