LAKE
“Why the fuck did you lie to her, boss?”
My eyes narrowed at Homer. “How is it your fucking business?”
For a second, he was taken aback. “Yes, it’s none of my business. As far as I know, she saved you from humiliation, from losing your companies and your money, and prevented you from going to jail. She also saved her grandmother’s life. I think she doesn’t deserve what you did tonight. Maybe a little gratitude would be nice to a poor woman, boss.”
I inhaled a deep breath as I accepted my defeat. I’d been gripping the glass of whisky. I’d been avoiding alcohol at all costs for months, but I’d been tempted many times. Maybe it was time for me to get back to how it was supposed to be.
I raised the glass, and it was snatched from my hand. I watched with open mouth as Homer downed it empty, then set it back in my grip.
“Thanks.” He then walked away.
“Homer.”
“Yeah.” He turned around. “If you wanna fire me, go ahead, but I won’t apologize for what I said. I like your wife. She’s full of humility and kindness. She’s the bravest woman I’ve ever met. It doesn’t matter where a person came from, lower class, upper, or middle, but it’s her heart that makes her rich and loyal. And you don’t see a lot today. You don’t deserve her.”
“Where did she go?”
He shrugged his broad shoulders. “I don’t know, but I hailed a cab for her.”
“Did you get the plate number?”
“Why would I?” he snapped. I admired his loyalty to my wife even if I was the one writing his paycheck.
“Homer.”
He waited. His stare remained glued to me, observing me with his hawk eyes.
I exhaled. “Thank you.”
“My job, sir.” He shrugged again before he left.
***
I’d never felt so lost. The sight of her made my heart crush in pain because I knew I’d caused it and left it to break.
After several blinks, I left the wet bar and went upstairs. I opened the closet that we shared. Her clothes were still there and smelled like her, sweet and floral. I never touched them. They only reminded me that she was not with me. I shut the doors close and went to bed.
I’d contemplated for several minutes. I’d never talked about my feelings except to Mom. I felt like I could share everything with her, and she would never judge.
Minutes, then hours passed. I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t get my mind off the way she looked at me in shock, in pain. It broke my heart even more, the kind of heartbreak that there was no going back, irremediable.
I called Mrs. Bates.
“Can I go back home now?”
“Your house is safe and clean, Mrs. Bates.”
I asked the men from Osmium to check for a gas leak, an explosive, or something planted in the house, but they found nothing.
“Of course, why won’t it be?” I couldn’t help but smile at the way she replied to me, which reminded me how Maverick constantly told me her nana was a pain in her ass.
“Did you talk to Maverick?”
“Where is she? Is she alive? I swear that young woman is giving me another heart attack.” I couldn’t tell her the truth. What I told her was that Maverick went on a long vacation.
“Calm down, Mrs. Bates. She’s okay.”
“You’re my grand-son-in-law. You can call me Nana, Lake. Is she with her family in Sicily?”
“You’re her family, Nana. You’ll see her soon.”
“She didn’t even call me. I got her message through Terzo. I’m worried about her. Are you two okay?”
I wished I could tell her that everything was not okay, but she’d been through enough because of my father.
“Yeah. Your nurse will be there tomorrow for your appointment.”
“I wish Ricky could come with me. She can be annoying, but she knows what to do.”
“Me too, Nana. Get some rest.”
***
I stared at the data on the computer screen, but it lost me thirty minutes ago until a knock interrupted me.
“Come in.”
“Mr. Winston?”
My eyes shifted to Cooper. Fuck. “What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be working?”
“I have a fifteen-minute break.” He came closer. “Um-”
I raised my brow. “Your fifteen minutes will be over if you won’t talk, Cooper. What is it?”
“Mave came to me last night.”
Shit. My emotions went into turmoil. “Where is she now?”
“Wait. Why did she come to me? I know you told us she’s on vacation, but what’s going on?”
“It’s none of your business.” I felt like I used these words a lot lately.
“She’s my friend. I think it’s my business to know if she’s okay. Last night, she had a suitcase with her and didn’t look okay. I had a visitor, and before I could ask her, she said she’d call me and left. I couldn’t reach her number. What’s going on, Mr. Winston?”
“A lot. Call me immediately if she reaches out.”
“So you two are-”
“We’re not okay, but we’re still married. We did not get into a fight. Let’s just say she’s doing me a favor for my safety. That’s all I can say.”
“I don’t understand. You’re a billionaire. If your life is in danger and she’s in danger, why can’t you-”
I exhaled a deep breath. “It’s complicated like this data kind of complicated.” I gestured my hand at the screen. “Like Cosmo complicated.”
“But she’s gonna be okay, right?” I wished.
“Yeah.” I leaned against my seat.
“You know, she’s crazy over you. Sometimes, I feel like her world suddenly revolves around you. I’m not in a position to say this, and I know if you love someone, you should not expect something in return, but she deserves to be loved. She’s the kindest and selfless person I’ve ever met.” Cooper left my office, and he left me speechless.
I was about to go back to what I was working on when the door swung open again.
“What can I do for you?”
“Is this your way of finding your wife?”
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I shifted my gaze to my uncle, glaring down at me. “Uncle, what I can-”
“Stop your stupidity. She saves your life, and you’re here working? What the hell is wrong with you?”
“She came-”
“I know. I just met Terzo this morning. He said you filed for a divorce. Is that true?” When his voice rose, I looked outside the glass wall to make sure no one was listening.
“No. I said it out of anger.”
“Good because if you won’t go and apologize to her, she’s going to Sicily with Terzo, and you may not get her back for good unless you’re King Leonidas, who can fight Gaetano’s five hundred armed men.”
“She’s going to Italy?” My eyes started to water.
“Yes. She’s only waiting for the non-existent divorce papers.”
“Fuck.” I pressed my lips into a thin line, and now I didn’t know what to do.
“You’re a good man, son, but sometimes you don’t realize the importance of gratefulness, the value of lives than money. You should be treating your wife like a hero, like a goddess. Instead, you treated her like a piece of crap last night. He could have burned down this building if I hadn’t told Terzo that you and your wife should settle this issue alone. He wouldn’t burn down your house because he knows Augustine is staying there. I’d say, Terzo is right, you’re an ungrateful son of a bitch. After all her sacrifices, she did not even receive a thank you basket.”
“I get it, uncle.” I looked away.
“No. I don’t think you do, son. Terzo can be ruthless and apathetic, but he’s also overprotective and loves his sister, and because she made him promise not to hurt you, that’s the reason why you’re still alive. Take his threat seriously. You’re maybe wealthy, but you can’t protect yourself from someone like him.”
“I just found out last night that my father is sick-”
“Let him be. You can’t do anything about that anymore, but if you love your wife, protect that love, nurture it, and don’t be like me, your mom.” He paused for a moment. “And son, what you and Maverick have is priceless. You’ll thank me one day. So get your head out of your ass and take your wife back before it’s too late.” He went to the door. “Unless you never really love her.”