He nods, still unimpressed. “I’ll be in touch.”
I climb out of the car just as April bounces out of the front door. I look up, and my breath catches at the sight of her beautiful smile.
“Hello, Mr. Garcia.” She smiles as she kisses me.
“Mrs. Garcia.” I smirk.
I hold the car door open, and she gets in.
We are on our way to dinner with our friends to celebrate our marriage.
What a fucking joke.
What I should be doing is packing April up and moving her to the moon.
I have this sick lead ball in my gut telling me that shit’s about to get bad and there’s no way to stop it. My world is spinning out of control on its axis.
If I tell April, her name is dragged through the mud and her career is over.
If I don’t tell April, she is protected.
But I lie to her.
Damned if I do, damned if I don’t. Fucked up, either way.
We sit in the back of the car as the driver whizzes through the traffic.
April’s chatting and laughing, being her gorgeous self, while I sit emotionless, watching her. Her hand is resting on my thigh, and I look down at the gold band on her finger. The one that matches mine.
I close my eyes in sadness. All my life, I waited for a love like this.
“What’s wrong, babe?” She lifts my hand to her mouth and kisses my fingertips.
“Just tired, darling,” I lie.
“We won’t stay late.”
“No, it’s okay. I’m fine. We can stay as long as you want.”
She bounces around in her seat. “I’m so excited to see everyone.”
I fake a smile. “Me, too.”
The procession of security cars pull up outside the front of the restaurant, where a photographer is waiting. The driver gets out and opens the back door. I climb out to the flashes of the camera, and I help April out by taking her hand.
“Mrs. Garcia!” The photographer calls. “How is married life?”
“Wonderful.” She smiles.
My heart drops, and we walk inside to see our friends sitting at the back. They all stand. April holds her hand up and wiggles her fingers to show them her ring, and the girls dance with excitement as we approach the table.
“Congratulations.” The girls laugh as they kiss us.
The boys shake my hand and slap me on the back.
“You old dog,” Spencer jokes. “Why weren’t we invited?”
We sit down. April is laughing and chatting. She’s so happy, and I just want to die a slow, painful death.
Because I should. My terrible taste in ex-wives should be a death sentence.
Spencer watches me and gives me a subtle frown. Masters, too.
They know me too well for me to hide anything from them.
“You guys want to get cocktails at the bar with me?” I ask.
“Yep.” Their chairs are both out before I’ve finished my sentence. We take the girls orders and walk over to the bar. We stand in the corner at a small round table as we wait for them to be made.
“What is it?” Spencer whispers.
“You can’t tell anyone,” I whisper back. “Swear on your life.”
“What?”
“Helena has video footage of me in the Escape room with April.”
Their eyes widen.
“She wants ten million or she’s going to the press.”
“What?” Spencer shrieks.
“Keep your voice down.” I look around.
“What the fuck?” Masters whispers. “How did she get it?”
“Their systems got hacked. Can you imagine the fucking headline? The Prime Minister and the prostitute who is now his wife.”
Julian’s and Spencer’s eyes widen in horror. If my files have been hacked, hell, we’re all fucked.
“Christ almighty, what are you going to do?” Julian asks.
“I say we kill this bitch.” Spencer punches his fist. “For real this time.”
“Will you be fucking serious for one minute?” I hiss.
“Who says I’m not?” He huffs.
“I think I’m going to pay the money.”
“What?”
“Have you got a better idea?” I whisper. “I won’t have April dragged through the mud.”
“Fucking hell,” Julian mutters.
“How does she sleep at night?” Spencer whispers. “God damn it, she’s a real fucking mole. I mean, I always knew it, but this is some next level crazy shit.”
“Drinks are up,” the waiter calls.
“Not a word to the girls,” I whisper.
“Yep,” they both reply, and we walk back to the table.
I sit down and place April’s drink in front of her.
She looks over at me lovingly. “Thank you.”
I smile and take her hand in mine. I kiss her fingertips and glance over at the boys. Their traumatized faces say so much.
I’m fucked.
I watch her chest rise and fall as she sleeps like the angel she is.
April’s blonde hair is splayed across her pillow. Her big, pouty lips are slightly parted.
There’s a peace that she brings.
I’ve never loved anyone as much as I do her. I didn’t even know that it was possible.
I keep going over and over the ramifications of not paying this money.
I imagine the media circus that will surround us, the judgement on my beautiful wife, watching her deal with the criticism, and her heartache.
The end of her career. The end of mine.
Our families and future children knowing how we met… that’s if we even make it through this to have children.
She will blame me, and how could she not? I blame me for having an ex like Helena.
I can’t do it.
I won’t risk April at any cost. I would give my soul to the Devil if it meant that she remains untainted.
I know this is wrong, but I don’t care. I’m giving Helena the money.
I’ll deal with her later. She will pay for this.
But right now, I need time.