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“I did, and she was angry. Didn’t want to talk to me. What did you tell her, Pat?” I repeat.
“Nothing,” he blubbers. “I told her you weren’t ready to be a mother and left. Exactly what we agreed on.”
“Anything else?” I ask, doubting that he’s telling the truth.
“No.” He takes a step closer to me. He is not focused on our daughter. “How are you? You look great.”
“Are you sure you didn’t divulge anything else?” I need to know if he told Ava anything about my past before him.
“I told you, no.” His eyes bounce between mine. “What’s going on? Why are you back? I thought you didn’t want anything to do with me or Ava.”
“Thanks for the information. I have to go.”
“Are you kidding me? You come into my house, interrogate me aboutmydaughter, and now you’re just leaving?”
I spin back around to face him so fast my hair slaps my face. “She’sourdaughter, and I have nothing more to say to you. Except perhaps that you’re a pathetic man.”
“You will regret this, Diana. You will pay for everything you have done to me.”
I laugh at him. “I see you still make empty promises.”
I take the stairs to thump out my rage and salvage my plan. Then I remember. I have an ace up my sleeve.
Smiling my slick grin, I take my cell out and dial a frequently called number.
It only takes him a few rings to answer.
“Hi, sweetie. Can you meet tonight?”
“Sure. Where?”
“Where we first met. See you in an hour.”
I’m hopeful this will work.
* * *
An hour later…
When I enter the bar, I spot him immediately. He’s nothing if not punctual. I saunter toward him, gaining the eye of many. He’s sitting at the bar, drinking a beer.
How original. These young boys know nothing.
“I’m glad you could make it.” I kiss his cheek, changing their pasty white color to vibrant red.
“I’m glad you called. After last time, I was hoping you would. Care for a drink?”
“Yes, please.” He orders me a drink, and I’m impressed that I didn’t have to tell him what I want. “How are you? Have you spoken to Ava lately?”
“I’m as good as anyone. I haven’t spoken to Ava. Not really. She’s been using Maddie as a middleman. Our last interaction didn’t go well. She’s been avoiding me, and it’s Viktor’s fault.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, Max. But if we work together, we can make her come to her senses.” I stop speaking when my drink is set in front of me.
Max thanks the bartender with a chin lift before shifting his focus to me. “Like what? She loves Viktor. As long as he’s in the picture, she’ll never see things my way. She won’t leave him. He’s brainwashed her, but she doesn’t see it.”
“Because she doesn’t know any better. Viktor is so bad for her. He is a monster.” I’m hoping my words will give him a boost of confidence. He sure needs it.
It seems to work. Max sits straighter while replying, “I tell her that all the time.”
