The atrium is a masterpiece, complete with vining plants climbing the walls and the steady hum of water as it cascades over the rocks into the koi pond below.
Ash designed this place as a soothing escape for Ori, but sadly, it’s not doing a damn thing for me.
“Still there?” Drake asks.
“Yes.”
“First things first, I signed the divorce papers. Your lawyer should have them by morning. You’ll be rid of me in no time.”
Somehow, I doubt I’ll ever be rid of the scars his deceit imprinted on my soul. “Appreciate the cooperation. Where are you?”
He chuckles, but unlike earlier conversations, there’s no hint of malice to it. “Somewhere safe. Kiki, I say this with the utmost love… I am not your problem anymore. The less you know, the better off you are.”
What the hell does that mean?
“Must be nice to feel safe and secure, Drake. I wouldn’t know.”
“So I heard and I’m sorry for that. But don’t worry, I’m taking care of it. You won’t have anymore problems.”
I scoff into the phone. “You’re sorry? You released your hounds and now you’re apologizing for their attack? Forgive me if I’m not convinced of your sincerity.”
Venom drips from my words as the fear I’ve felt for months morphs into something stronger—rage.
“Kiki, I had nothing to do with the vandalism or the break-in. I swear it.”
“Yeah, because your word is golden.” I reach out, letting the waterfall cascade through my fingers as I try to make sense of it all.
Things aren’t adding up, but to be fair, they haven’t for a long time.
“You’re telling me that random people in the area set about to make my life hell without your go ahead?”
Drake sighs and I picture him running a hand over his brow, possibly throwing in a roll of his eyes for effect. He always hated when I asked a million questions, especially since they were often on topics he couldn’t discuss.
Well, today the topic is me andmylife, so he better start talking.
“They thought they were doing the right thing, putting the pressure on.”
“Real stand up friends you’ve got there,” I snap.
“They’re not my friends. I don’t have any of those. But I swear the only thing I asked was for my lawyer to speak with you about your statement. Nothing more.”
“Did he set up the break in?”
“Not hardly. He may be a louse, but he’s harmless.”
But two and two still don’t equal four, and I’m ready to call my ex on the carpet.
“Riddle me this. If you didn’t arrange the vandalism and break-in, how did you know about them? Did good samaritans report back to you about the latest happenings in town? Someone had to tell you.”
“Someone did. Came to visit me in jail.” He clears his throat, one of his tells. He wants off this topic.
Tough shit, Drake.
“Who?”
“Someone you know very well. Eddie Landry.”
Eddie, as inmyEddie?
