His phone pinged with a message. It was from Bill.
Reinforcements are on their way.
What are you talking about?
Just what I said.
A car came around the corner and pulled up behind Darius’s. The driver was his partner Rafe. Beside him was his fiancée, Ahri. Another car arrived, this one driven by Kayn with his new wife in the passenger seat. What was going on? Then a third car parked in front of Darius’s, driven by Ezreal’s new wife, Sara.
Ahri was the first to step out, and the others seemed to take their cue from her. She walked up to Darius’s window and tapped on it, so he opened it.
“What’s going on?” he asked.
“According to Bill, you need to talk with someone who doesn’t appear to want to talk to you. We thought if we came along, this person would be more amenable. So, come on.”
She slid her arm through Rafe’s, who’d followed behind her, and they strode together across the street right up to Melanie’s front door.
“Are they crazy?” Darius cried and jumped from the car. He jogged across the street with Joe on his heels.
“I’m sorry,” Melanie’s tentative voice said over the intercom. “Who are you and why are you at my home?”
“My name is Rafe Davis, and this is my fiancée Ahri Meisner. I’m the CEO of REKD Gaming, and I’m here with my partners and our significant others with a special offer for you and your husband.”
“Feel free to check online for his picture,” Sona said from beside Kayn. “Just do a search for the Harvard Billionaire Boys.”
“What?” Melanie opened the door, and she searched the group. “Is Darius with you?”
“Why, yes, he is,” Ezreal’s wife Sara said. She made a motion and then moved to the side so there was a clear path between Darius and Melanie.
It was like he was looking at a stranger and not a woman he’d wanted to make a life with. The only feelings he had for her now was a dim memory of the hurt, like it’d been something that had happened in another lifetime.
“I didn’t know they were coming,” he said. “I’m sorry.”
“No. No, please, everyone come in.” She did a quick worried glance up and down the street before closing the door behind them.
He stood with the others, feeling awkward, as Melanie hurriedly picked up stray toys from her living room. She lifted a toddler boy and held him almost as though he were protection for her.
“Please sit down,” she said, indicating the couches.
“They don’t know anything,” Darius said, keeping his voice low so the others who were talking quietly among themselves couldn’t hear. “I’ve kept my word.”
“And you still can’t go back on it; he’s up for reelection,” she hissed. Turning to face the others, she said graciously, “Can I get you anything to drink?”
“Melanie, we need to talk,” Darius said.
“You gave your word.”
“How long do I have to pay for your mistake?”
“Mymistake?” She sent the others a furtive glance and lowered her voice. “You’re the one who walked out.”
“Do you want to discuss this in front of them?” Darius kept his voice low but calm and firm.
“I should never have let you in.” Before she could answer, there was a tap on the door. With a panicked look, she hurried over to the intercom.
“What do you want?” she snapped.
“My name is Bill Ryze, and I’m head of security for REKD Gaming. I believe my employers are inside your home, and I need to join them.”
