Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 77309 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77309 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Conlan knew about all this already. He spoke with the general, and he knew that our marriage sham didn’t need to continue.
Instead, he said nothing.
He paid off my mortgage and pretended like it was some grand gesture.
When really, he owed that to me already—since our contract is technically fulfilled.
He’s been treating me like this thing between us is real, or like it’s trending in that direction.
Meanwhile, he’s been lying about everything.
“Isabel?” Allison stares at me from across the room. She’s making more coffee. “You okay? You want one?”
“No, thanks.” I jump to my feet. “I mean, I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine. You look like you’re about to puke.”
“I’m good. I’m just—I should get going.” I move toward the door. My hands are shaking. My lips feel numb. “I’ll talk to you later, okay?”
“Yeah, sure. Hey, can I go down to Lisa’s crew? Would that be cool? I mean, fuck it, I’ll do it anyway, but maybe let Conlan know so he doesn’t flip the fuck out, okay?”
“Right.” I grab the door and get out of there. My ears are ringing. One of Damon’s guys watches me as I run past him, hit the elevator button, then end up shoving my way into the staircase.
I sit down on the cold concrete and put my head between my knees.
He knew. He knew. It’s been over, and he knew—
And he said nothing.
He lied to me. He pretended like he was paying off my house because he cares about me, but it’s just another game.
And I don’t know what to do about it.
Chapter 33
Conlan
I spend the morning and most of the afternoon dealing with hotel and work shit that I’ve been neglecting since I fake-married Isabel. After she disappeared to speak with Allison, I haven’t heard anything from her. Although Lisa informed me that our guest is now back to work like nothing happened, and I’m not sure how I feel about that, but I let it slide. I figure Isabel would want me to compromise.
Which is very much unlike me.
It seems my wife is already starting to change me. Maybe for the better? I can’t tell yet.
But in the late afternoon, I get a call from Adler. “Hello, brother. Another update from the general. He says it’s all clear.”
I lean back in my chair. Surprise and disappointment war in my guts. “Completely clear now?”
“As in you no longer have to play your role. The private detectives have moved on to someone else. He says he’ll come get his daughter in the next few days.”
“Well, that’s a fucking relief. She’s been a pain in my ass.”
“Can’t handle a teenager?”
“Don’t get me started.”
Adler laughs. “It worked out then. We’re lucky. Your stupid dick got us into trouble yet again, but you pulled it off in the end.”
“Good for me.” I closed my eyes, rubbing my temples. This isn’t how I wanted things to go down. I was hoping for more time, but we’re at the end way faster than I ever imagined.
“By the way, your wife called me earlier, which is what made me reach out.”
I sit up straight. “Isabel called you?”
“Not sure how she got my office phone, but yes, she did. She called asking questions about your little situation.” Adler sounds amused. “Did you keep things from her, brother?”
I stay very still, like if I move, my world will explode in a flash of light and agony. “What did you tell her?”
“The fucking truth. That you’ve known for a couple days now that things are pretty much over. She didn’t sound happy.”
“Fuck.”
“What’s going on over there? Your dick getting you in trouble again?”
“It’s not like that.”
“Whatever it’s like, handle your shit. But hey, at least Leyland’s happy. I think in the end, he’s going to owe us some favors.”
“I have to go.”
“Right, good luck digging yourself out of this hole.” He laughs and the line goes dead.
I lower the phone slowly. My pulse is hammering in my ears as I find my cell and call Isabel.
It goes straight to voicemail.
“Fuck,” I say, grabbing my things as I text the car service to come get me. I don’t know where she is, but I have some educated guesses, and I need to find her.
I have to explain.
I didn’t know things were officially done with the general—only that they were quieting down. I didn’t tell her because—
Because why?
I didn’t want her to leave?
It was a selfish decision. I can pretend like it’s a million things, but ultimately, I was being selfish. I should’ve kept her in the loop from the start, but I like being her husband. For the first time in my life, I feel like I’ve found a place for myself.
Like I belong when I’m with her.
The driver drops me back at my place. I hurry inside. “Isabel,” I call out. She’s not in the kitchen or the living room. I storm up the steps, throw open her bedroom door, and look around. “Isabel!”