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“What about next time? What’s gone on in that club I know nothing about?”
Mitch momentarily paled. It was all Vanessa needed to know that her suspicions were not completely unfounded.
“I know you would tell me if something serious happened,” Vanessa continued. “I would never judge you. I hope you know that. The whole point of this relationship is that we trust each other so unconditionally that we can truly be ourselves. We took those vows.” She didn’t like bringing this up, but her heart hurt too much to deny it. “I have every intention of honoring our vows until the day one of us dies. You’re my soulmate, Michelle.”
Why was Vanessa on the verge of tears? Why was she so weak in front of the woman who had saved her from more than physical danger?She saved me from my own head.Everything beautiful about their unique relationship was on the brink of collapse. Vanessa felt it in her bones like she felt that old danger constantly breathing down her neck.
“I’ve always honored our vows too, you know,” Mitch muttered. “This isn’t just about the privileged pervs on that boat, is it? There’s something else bothering you.”
“Everything bothers me. I haven’t slept in two days.”
Mitch took her partner’s hand. “Then let’s go lie down. I’m tired too.”
That sounded so heavenly that Vanessa almost fell asleep on the sofa before she joined her partner. Napping until dinner was the greatest joy Mitch provided after her safe return.
She was right, though. Something else ate away at Vanessa’s insecurities, and she did not want to confront them.
But she had to.
There was no moving forward with the rest of the week, month, or relationship if Vanessa didn’t address what held onto her leg and followed her like a ball and chain everywhere she went from the moment Candace Lister was a name whispered between them.
Mitch might not see it, but I do.
That was how Vanessa usually wanted it. She curated a home where her partner, who harbored her own traumas, could feel safe and go about her business without a single worry. All Mitch had to do was focus on her interests and pleasures while Vanessa handled the heavier stuff. That was the arrangement. That was what Vanessawanted.After years of fearing for her safety and donning the disguise of control, she relished being the one who protected others. She may not have an imposing form or intimidating glare, but she had resources. She had her share of street smarts, regardless of how Mitch occasionally made fun of her for being an heiress. Most of all, Vanessa had the drive to see a plan through. When she vowed to be the one person Mitch could rely on above all others, she meant it.
So, when the past few weeks reared their ugly heads, Vanessa saw an even uglier truth.
Mitch was attracted to Candace. Not in the harmless way flirtations spawned.
Vanessa understood it, unfortunately. Candace was raw power. What she lacked in masculinity she made up for in attitude. Even without the illegal activities that disgusted Vanessa to her core, Candace was a formidable rival for Mitch’s affections.
She doesn’t realize it, does she?
Night had long fallen by the time they sat down to eat the dinner Maria prepared before heading home. Vanessa almost suggested they go out to eat instead, but changed her mind when she remembered she asked Maria to prepare Mitch’s favorite meal as of late.Just in case…
Yet Vanessa couldn’t get the bits of asparagus out of her teeth or find the gumption to swallow the bits of boneless salmon that were too fishy for her tastes. Mitch likewise poked at her food. Although she ate, slowly, Vanessa could tell that there was something on her partner’s mind, and no amount of white wine was helping it go down.
“Has she contacted you at all?” Vanessa asked.
“Who?”
“Candace.”
Mitch’s fork clattered to her plate. In truth, she hadn’t thrown or tossed it. The dining room was simply so quiet that the simple act of no longer eating rang Vanessa’s ears.
“No,” Mitch said. “Don’t know why I would unless there’s something about this weekend I need to know about.”
“We have our meeting tomorrow,” Vanessa said.
“I know. I told you, I’ve got some really good information about them. I’m hoping we can close this up by the end of the year.”
“Do you think we can?”
“Yeah. I think so.”
Vanessa wished she could be as hopeful as her partner, but Mitch wasn’t as in tune with how quickly (or slowly) the law worked. Even if Candace was arrested by New Year’s, this wasn’t over for Mitch and Vanessa.They’ll want a mountain of statements. If we’re made, we’ll have to go into witness protection.That was something Vanessa thought about more than once. Their entire lives might be upended again, and this time, there were no friends or family.
If Candace did anything to Mitch…
