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CHAPTER18
James's face was up on the big screen when I entered the conference room. Tiffany and Connie had brought in coffee and snacks, but I wasn't interested. I thought fleetingly of inviting her father and the twins to sit in but didn't want to take the time to get them; besides, they all seemed to hold me responsible for this shit, so I was going to do it my way. Another reason for my hesitance was I had no idea what the fuck James was going to say. I don't think I could handle being in a room full of people if he told me this shit had been going on behind my back for a while, as some were speculating. I had no fucking clue what I was about to hear, but I knew it would be nothing good. Regardless of how or why Suzette was in that fucking car, the fact that she was sick now in no way negated that fact.
The fact that I planned to destroy that fuck Poole did not mean she was forgiven; it just means I choose to channel my anger in a different direction for now. According to what I found out here today, I would deal with her later. If there was any redemption for her, I would be lenient; if the other proved true, she was fucked, I loved her, yes, but I was no one's fool. Either way, she was going to pay for squandering my love on that California side street.
"Morning, Gage."
"James." I took a seat at the head of the conference table as the others grabbed chairs on either side of me.
"I would've preferred to do this in person, but I understand we have a pressing situation on our hands. I think this thing is bigger than we first thought; there's a lot more going on here than meets the eye."
The fuck?
"What the fuck does that mean?"
"It means that there's more at work here than your Suzette having a fling."
"Spit it the fuck out, man. What the fuck are you trying to say?"
"I'm saying from what we've uncovered so far; this is looking like an elaborate setup. What the purpose behind it is is still not clear, but one thing is for certain. She was targeted."
GET THE FUCK OUT. Heads are gonna roll.
"Come home, James. We need a sit-down."
CHAPTER19
Ileft the room without a word to anyone; it was time to think that hadn't gone at all as I'd expected. I bypassed the study where my parents were still talking to the Sorensons; they would all need to be updated but not now. First, I had to make sure she was safe.
I closed and locked the door behind me, walking over to the bed. My gaze never left her face. There were dark circles under her eye, her coloring was almost as white as the sheets, and I could see the bones in her arms.
Targeted, that word conjured up something vile in me, something deadly forceful. The lion would protect the lamb. My first order of business would be to get her better; then, I could focus all my energy on my enemy.
Fuck, if my mind wasn't in turmoil, I pulled my hair so tight as I sat in a chair next to her bed that it was a wonder I didn't tear that shit at the roots. The soft sound of her weeping brought my head up quickly as I rose from the chair.
No, she wasn't awake. She was crying in her fucking sleep again; the thought of her spending all our nights apart like this brought me to my knees, literally. Taking her hand in mine, I tried to give her some of my warmth. Why the fuck hadn't she woken up yet?
"Come on, Suzette, open your eyes." I tried to will that shit. Fuck I had to remember not to call her that she hated when I did, but I'd gotten used to referring to her that way in my head lately. The anger was still there somewhat, but it was a lot more complicated than it had been a day ago.
Put it aside, Maddox, one thing at a time. I could do this; I could put my anger at her away for the time being; that didn't make me a chump. It just made me human, something I hadn't felt like in a long time.
I ran my hand through her hair, her beautiful brown hair that was now lifeless and dull. I would have to ask mom or the girls about seeing to that. Maybe not Connie that bitch was a wild card fuck knows where her head was at.
I was growing impatient, waiting for her to wake up. I know, I know, have a heart, Maddox, but fuck if I didn't have shit to do and a fuck load of questions. James wouldn't be here until sometime later this evening. In the meantime, it would be good to hear her side of what the fuck went on.
I pulled up the web on my cell; for the first time since leaving the cabin, I Googled my life. There wasn't much new except our supposed fight over Rex, speaking of which I should probably get him in here that might help. Apparently, the douches' wife had forgiven him; well, la de fucking da, wonder what she knew?
I'd been fooling myself into thinking I was calmer; I wasn't calm one fuck; the mere sight of that fucker had me ready to chew nails. I think I needed to brush up on my Sun TZU because I'm pretty sure in the art of war, you needed a clear head, and yes, this was motherfucking war.
I just needed to know all the players. As soon as James and his cryptic ass got here, I could start strategizing my attack. I had no doubt that I would destroy him. If it took every penny I owned, I would do it; hell hath no fury like a woman scorned? Well, hell didn't even want a motherfucker like me.
I texted Brian to bring the dog, which he did; my boy went right to his mama; I had to help him up on the bed to lie next to her. After he realized she wasn't awake to play, he placed his head on his front paws and stared at her much like I was doing. We were both willing her to wake up.
I felt the stirrings of hunger, but I refused to leave. At some point, maybe noon, mom brought me something, which I left sitting there. Steve and the twins had come by, but nothing was said between us; that day would come, I'm sure, but it wasn't today.
I guess the others had filled them in along with mom and dad because mom when she came in before, had this pinched look on her face that she gets when she's royally pissed. Suzette was hers too, just like the five of us she had claimed her as well.
She was one of us, and someone had fucked with her; if James was right, it was deliberate. The whys were supercilious; the die was already cast everyone who had anything to do with this fuckery was going down. I might not be able to kill them with my bare hands, though Poole was getting an ass-kicking no matter what, but I would definitely hit the motherfuckers where it hurts. Pond-sucking scum motherfuckers.
