“I’m outside your apartment,” he replied.
“I’m coming down,” I cut the call and headed outside. The second I caught sight of him in the lobby, I clenched my fists to keep from hurling him across the floor. “What the fuck happened?”
He raked a hand through his hair, his countenance a mixture of anguish and concern. “Is she okay?”
“She finally calmed down, no thanks to you,” I grunted.
“I need to see her.”
‘She’s sleeping, and no I’m not waking her or allowing you anywhere near her until I know what the fuck happened at your place.”
“Can we sit?” He gestured to the visitor’s couch.
I nodded and followed him. When we were both seated, he leaned his elbows on his knees, linked his fingers, and bounced his knees. I could tell he was fighting his own internal battle, his own hell.
“I’m waiting, Trent.”
His shoulders slackened and I suddenly realized that this was the first I’d seen him this unhinged. The usual cockiness was hiding behind a man sunk in despair. Surprisingly, I felt sorry for him. The notion caught me off guard and I almost snorted out loud. The fucker was on the cusp of taking my wife from me and I was feeling sorry for him. What the fuck! Either all this love shit was making me soft or I’d just fucking lost my marbles. I looked up as he began speaking.
“Ashrika found out she’s my wife’s twin. Her half-brother visited before I could brief him and went apeshit.”
“You told me she was your wife.” I gritted out. “Did you lie just to get into her panties?”
He pinched the bridge of his nose and leaned back in the seat. “I had no idea.”
“And you expect me to fucking believe that? Do I look like a fucking fool to you?” my voice rose.
“It’s not what you think.” He looked at me.
“Then spit it out because I sure as fuck got better things to do—”
“Two weeks after Incognito, I received some documents from her father’s attorney. Trust me when I say this. I was just as shocked to find out Krisha had a twin sister who was kidnapped at birth. My wife didn’t know either. Her father was in the process of bringing Ashrika to meet her sister when Krisha...” he trailed off and for some reason I could tell he was being sincere, I believed he was telling me the truth.
“Does she know that I knew?” When he frowned, I added, “that I’d known she was your wife and I helped your plan to get her back?”
“She knows nothing other than she’s my wife’s twin. I never got a chance to explain.”
“Do you intend to telling her about my involvement?”
“No,” came his quick reply.
I deliberated for a moment before I stood. “If you want this to work in your favor, then I suggest you do exactly what I say. Agreed?”
“I don’t understand.”
“You will. Just meet me at the club in a week. Agreed?”
Rising, he nodded. “Would you give her this?” He drew out an envelope from inside his jacket pocket. It’s a letter from her mother. It might explain a few things to her.”
I took the envelope. “A week, Trent, and don’t call her.” He nodded and I turned away.
When I entered the bathroom, Ashrika was stepping out of the shower. I held out a large towel and she stepped into it. Slowly, I wiped her body. “You okay?” I stood behind her and massaged her arms.
She leaned back into me on a long exhale. “I’m not sure. It feels weird finding out I had a twin sister. I have so many questions and the only person who can give me answers betrayed my trust.” She turned in my arms and slipped her arms around my neck, tightening the space between our bodies. “Don’t leave me, please.”
“You know I won’t.” Every inch of me screamed not to make a promise I couldn’t keep, because she’d chosen to be with Trent. Then I remembered. She was my wife too. I happened to be her source of comfort now. I kissed her brow gave her the comfort she needed.
An hour later, I sat in bed, with her head on my chest. I held out the envelope to her. “Trent had this dropped off.” She leaned away from me. Her gaze flicked between the envelope and my face, her doubt evident. “It also contains a letter from your mother.”
