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“I just have a few questions, if you don’t mind.” I adjusted my mask.
“Sorry, I can’t help you. I haven’t seen Ava in years.” He dropped his head as if the thought pained him.
“It’s more about your previous relationship with Miss Palmer,” I stated.
“Not much I can say. She was wonderful.” He averted his gaze. I could tell he was hiding something.
“Tell the truth,” Judith snapped. “She can’t hurt you anymore.”
“Fine, but not here,” he whispered and looked around.
I left Judith and Vernon to look for the manager. When I found him, he pulled me in for a hug. It was my cousin Herby. I wasn’t surprised Tara hired him to run it. He was meticulous and very business savvy, which was why he let me pay him to take his server.
Vernon tried to finish his tables, he didn’t want someone else to do his work. I respected him for taking pride in his work, but I still made him leave. In a few days, I would be married to Ava. I had to know more about her.
Inside my house, Vernon/Brad seemed shy and scared, as if the place bothered him. Maybe he had never been in such a big house. Perhaps he was scared of me. Actually, that made more sense. Ava had people after him, and I was about to marry her. He had to have thought I was up to no good.
“H…h…how…c…can…I help,” Vernon stuttered.
“What was it like to date Ava? I asked. When he stared at me, I added. “I’m trying to figure out if she’s a good person.”
His eyes glossed over. “She is. Well, she was. Maybe she changed. When I was with her, everything was perfect. She made me feel special. Like I was the only person alive. We spent every second together. She even had me manage her in the ring. I hated leaving Judith, but she needed me.”
“Then what happened?” I asked.
“I don’t want to talk bad about her.” He looked around as if Ava was gonna pop up any second.
“It’s okay. I won’t tell her.” I assured him.
“Oh, it’s not that. I just don't like talking bad about her. I still miss her. My heart will always beat for her. If I could just see her one more time.” He put his face in his working hand. Judith wrapped her arms around him and stroked his hair.
It was obvious Ava broke his heart. He was distraught and yet still wanted to see her. What kind of pull did she have on him?
“Maybe I could arrange a meeting if you tell me the truth. I want to know everything that happened between you and Ava.” I leaned back, ready to hear his side. Then I would decide if I was really gonna set up a meeting between him and Ava.
Judith stroked his right hand. He looked at her. She nodded as if giving her approval. He took a deep breath and turned to me.
“Before I start, please understand it’s not Ava’s fault. She had a worse upbringing than most. Please don't blame her.” He stared at me, waiting for a reply.
“I won’t,” I lied.
He nodded and then began his story. “I was working as Judith’s manager a few years back. I used to be a fighter until I lost function in my arm, so I knew how to teach the moves. Judith mostly fought at a place called The Underground. Then one day, Ava walked in. She was different from anybody I had ever met. She was all in pink and had a killer smile.
Everyone wanted her, but she fixated on me. I fell in love, hard. That’s when things went bad. She was different when no one was around.
She would look at me without seeing me. Calling me her father and attacking me. I would try to calm her, but there was only so much I could do.” He pointed to his left arm.
“Go on. It’s okay.” Judith coaxed him to continue.
“Then I found out what she did to her father. I was terrified. I tried to leave. She carved my initials on her hip. I felt horrible. She needed me, and I was trying to get away. So, I stayed.
Ava would hurt herself. Sometimes it was cuts, other times, she would bash her head or punch something, including me. I think she did it to feel something.
People started noticing. So she blamed me. I think it was better for her than the truth. That’s when I had to leave. Now I’m back under a false name so her friends won't find me.” He wiped the sweat from his forehead.
“Geez. What did she do to her father?” I asked, not sure if I wanted the answer.
“She killed him!” Judith shouted. “She’s a monster.”
