“I hate you won’t let me deal with him, but you wouldn’t be the woman I love if you didn’t fight back. I don’t want to be that man. The one who overrules his wife when she asks for something she needs, so fine. I’ll let you handle it. On three conditions.”
“Name them.”
“You keep me fully updated, you’re never alone with that prickever,and if your way doesn’t work, you agree to at least discuss the options I’m considering.”
Mav knows I can defend myself. All the Elite wives are trained in self-defense, and I didn’t hesitate to act today, but men are still physically stronger than women, so I know being around Phillip is risky, but I’ll take precautions and make sure he can’t get to me. “I’ll agree to that, but I draw the line at cold-blooded murder, Maverick.” My husband endured a lot of unsavory shit growing up, and he’s still involved with the Elite, albeit a much more professional Elite. He’s had to do things he didn’t want to, and he might not want to hear it, but I’m trying to protect him from the darkness that still lives inside him. I know Mav and his brothers and friends could take care of Phillip with nothing leading back to them.
They can literally commit murder and get away with it.
But I don’t want that for my husband, my brothers-in-law, or our friends.
We can’t say we’ve moved forward and then pick and choose when murderous deeds are acceptable.
Maybe I’m naïve. Maybe I’m clinging to false hope, but I’ll do anything to safeguard my husband’s soul. And that means he is not killing my boss—no matter how enticing the idea is.
Chapter Fourteen
Maverick
“Do you feel better about it now?” my wife asks a few minutes after we leave Ky and Faye’s house in Wellesley en route to Rydeville for Olivia Manning’s birthday celebration.
“Somewhat.”
Shandra sighs.
“I won’t lie to you. It’s hard for me to sit by knowing what that piece of shit did to you, but I made you a promise, and I don’t break my promises.” Trust and honesty are the cornerstone of my second marriage partly because it was lacking so much in my first but mostly because no relationship will ever survive without it, and Shandra is my forever, so I’m taking no risks when it comes to us. That is the only reason I’m not going behind my wife’s back to kidnap, torture, and kill that sick fuck.
“Faye said her lawyer contact is at the top of his game, and he specializes in employment law. He owes her a favor, and she’s calling it in. She’s confident she’ll get an appointment for me immediately. I’ll phone in sick to work on Tuesday and hopefully meet this guy. Faye’s HR advice was spot-on, and I won’t be attending any meetings with HR without my lawyer.”
“I had a thought,” I say, taking the next left turn. “I think we should tell our friends and let Zayn, Sawyer, and Xavier help. Hell, Keven will probably want to help too.” I cast a quick glance at my wife.
She is pretty as a picture today in a summery blue and white dress. Her brown curls cascade over her shoulders, and two diamante clips hold it back at the front. The necklace I bought her as a wedding gift adorns her slender neck, and she’s sporting matching earrings and bracelet. My wife is effortlessly elegant and beautiful and one of the strongest women I know. Her intellect, compassion, and sense of fun round out the full package. I’ve been in love with her longer than I even realized, and I love her more with every passing day. She completes me, and I’ve never felt so content.
“I don’t want to bring it up today. This is Olivia’s special day, and I won’t do anything to ruin the celebration, but I agree we should tell our friends and ask for their help. Nessa and Jackson already know, and it wouldn’t be right to ask them to keep it from the others.”
Shandra and Nessa are best friends, and they spend a lot of their downtime together. My shifts can be brutal and long, and I like that my wife has someone trustworthy to hang out with. Lauder and I don’t see as much of one another as we’re both working a lot, but the four of us try to have dinner at least once a month. He’s a good friend. Kyler too though I don’t see as much of him because he’s in Massachusetts and we’re in New York.
“I doubt I’m the first woman Renford has done this to,” Shandra continues, mirroring my sentiments. I’ve known guys like Renford my entire life. I don’t need evidence to know that prick has forced himself on other women before. “If we can find other women who are willing to talk, we can use it to build a stronger case, and I’m all for that. I’ll gladly welcome help from the guys.”
“Good. I want to bury the bastard and ruin him. If I can’t kill him, I’ll settle for that.”
“Thank you.” Shandra squeezes my knee as I drive out onto the highway. “Thank you for backing down and letting me do things my way, and thank you for loving me as well as you do.”
“You never have to thank me for that. I was always meant to love you, sweetheart.”
The party is in full swing when we arrive. It’s a fabulous day and everyone is outside. Drew and Athena have extended the decking area, and five large circular tables, dressed with white linens and glistening silverware, are set up for the guests. Glass vases filled with pink, purple, and white roses join balloon centerpieces on top of each table. A large table to the side holds a myriad of brightly packaged gifts. Catering staff is busy at work in the covered marquee, and the scents wafting from the kitchen and several outdoor grills are mouthwatering.
The younger kids are messing around in a bounce house while the older kids are either talking with the adults or clustered on beanbags off to one side of the garden.
“Hey guys.” Athena greets us with a broad smile. “I’m so happy you could join us.”
“We wouldn’t have missed this for the world,” my wife says as Drew approaches.
“Anderson.”
“Manning.”
We clap one another on the back. “Good to see you.”
