“Options?”
“Yes; he can sign the papers or we can take matters further. This can go right to court, but in the end, as I said, he can’t make you remain married to him.”
I nod. “How long will this take?”
“I won’t know until he speaks with his lawyer, but I’ll get moving on it as quickly as I can.”
“Thank you.”
I get up, sign a few papers, and pay the receptionist before leaving. I need to ring my mom, I need to gather my daughter in my arms and hold her, and I need to find a way to convince Marcus it’s time to let go. I could threaten him. I mean, I’m sure he was the one who organized Walter’s ‘accidental’ death. Maybe that would be enough to give him the push he needs.
I have a feeling it won’t be, though.
No, Marcus Tandem is far more complex than that.
~*~*~*~
“Sister!”
I blink at my two brothers, standing in Ford’s kitchen. Wyatt and Landon haven’t changed a damned bit. Me, however? I probably look like a drowned rat, considering I just got out of the car as it started pouring with seasonal rain. Not to mention the booty I swear I got after having Penny. Candy assures me it looks the same, but I’m not convinced.
“Ah, hi,” I murmur.
Landon comes over, a huge smile on his face. “I knew we’d get to meet you properly and be friends sooner or later.”
“Friends?” Wyatt snorts. “Dude, you can’t be friends with your sister.”
Landon scoffs. “Course you can, idiot.”
Ford stares at the ceiling, running his hands through his hair. I feel his pain.
“Ah, well, it’s nice to see you both again.”
They both study me. “You’re still hot. I guess you did get our good genes.”
I glare at Landon, who is grinning huge at me. Wyatt chuckles. “He means that in the most un-incest kind of way.”
“Un-incest is not a word,” I point out.
Ford snorts. “Glad someone made note of that.”
“Ah, fuck you, Ford. At least we are trying to get to know her,” Wyatt throws at him.
“Aren’t I livin’ with her?” Ford throws back.
I roll my eyes.
“Boys,” I say, putting my hands up. “Can we all just get along?”
“You know what would help us get along?” Wyatt chimes in.
“Enlighten me,” I mutter.
“A night out together, as one big happy family.”
I narrow my eyes at them. “You want me to go out with you? All of you?”
“You’re our sister, are you not?” Landon asks.
“Well yes, but . . .”
“Then we deserve to get to know you. Or are you too good for that?” Wyatt crosses his arms and studies me.
“Of course I’m not,” I scoff. “Fine, I could use a night off.”
It’s been a long time since I’ve had a night out. I am in desperate need of something to take my mind off everything that’s going on, and I know just the person who can come with me to make sure that happens.
“I’m going to ring a friend, see if he wants to come. Then I’m going to talk to Candy and see if she’s okay to take Penny.”
“Our niece is so freaking cute.” Wyatt grins proudly. “She likes me.”
“Dude, she bit your face.” Landon laughs.
I can’t help but laugh at that. My girl doesn’t take any crap.
“Candy is still here,” Ford mutters, but I swear his eyes move up to the stairs longingly. Oh, Candy could get some of that action if she wanted it.
“Thanks.”
I turn and rush up the stairs. Candy is in the room with Penny, who is sleeping soundly.
“How’s she doing?”
She turns when she hears me, and smiles. “I really love spending time with her, I swear. She’s so damned cute.”
My heart pangs. I don’t feel like I’m getting enough time with her, even though I spend ninety-nine percent of my days with her. Candy has taken her for a few hours while I’ve dealt with issues regarding Marcus, but even that time apart feels like forever. Like I’m missing out on precious moments. I walk over and stare down at my sleeping daughter, and my heart swells with love.
“She is cute. Thank you so much for doing this, Candy. It’s such a big ask, and—”
“Seriously?” she whispers, cutting me off. “You have lived through hell, taken care of that little girl with nothing, and come all the way back to face your demons. Don’t you apologize. I adore spending time with her, and before you ask, go out tonight with your brothers. I’m happy to watch her.”
I sit down beside her on the bed. “You heard that?”
“They’ve been planning it all afternoon. They want to get to know you, Kat, no matter how much they seem to be careless and casual. It means something to them.”
I smile. “I kind of want to get to know them, too.”
“Then go, spend some time enjoying their company.”
“I hate leaving her,” I whisper, dropping my head.
“She’ll be sleeping anyway; it’s not like you’re taking precious mother-daughter time. Besides, it’s one night. I don’t know how much longer I’ll see her, so let me have this.”
I twist, reaching out and wrapping my arms around my friend. “I don’t say it enough, but I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Candy laughs. “Probably have a party.”
I giggle and pull back. “Do you think I should take Dusty?”
Candy groans. “Ah, yes. He’s been whining about not having any fun for ages now.”
“I’ll ring him.”
I stand and walk towards the door. “Katia?” Candy calls.
I turn, staring at her. “Yeah?”
“You’re doing an amazing job; you should know that. I’m proud of you.”
I smile, my heart opening up just a little more. “Thank you.”
Candy might only be one person, but that’s all it takes to make you feel as though you’re making the right choice.
And I am.
I think.
CHAPTER NINE
KATIA
“Hi Dad,” I say down the phone.
“Katia, how are you?”
“I’m doing okay. How’s Mom?”
“She’s all right, sleeping a lot. We’ve got her scan tomorrow. I think she’s nervous.”
My heart clenches. “Do you think I should come back?”
“No,” he says gently. “We’re doing okay. The doctor has given her pain meds while we wait. They’re helping. Just you calling every day is making her feel better.”
I nod, swallowing back my tears. Thank God he can’t see me right now. I’m a mess.
“How’s everything going there?” he asks.
“Fine. I went to see my lawyer today. We’re getting the ball rolling.”
“Is Marcus giving you trouble?”
“Some,” I admit. “But I’m okay. Wyatt and Landon are taking me out tonight.”
He groans. “You sure you want to do that?”
I laugh softly. “Sure, they’re my brothers.”
“They’re also rebels. Watch them; they’ll get you into trouble.”
“No more than I’ve managed to do all on my own,” I whisper.
“Katia,” he says softly. “It’s not your fault.”
“No, maybe not. But being naive put me here. Who lets someone treat them like that? I should have known . . .”
“You loved him. Love clouds so much. It makes us believe even the worst situations are something precious we have to hold on to. You can’t blame yourself.”
He’s right; I know that. It doesn’t make me feel any better, though.
“Thanks, Dad. Can you tell Mom I called?”
“I will. She’ll call you back later.”
“Thank you.”
I hang up with a sigh. It’s so hard deciding what’s best when your heart is torn in so many different directions. Right now I??
?m going to focus on tonight, and enjoying myself for the first time in a long time. I walk over to the dresses Candy let me borrow, Penny crawling close behind me.
“What do you think, baby?” I ask, pulling out two dresses and holding them up.
Penny reaches up, nabbing the red one and tugging it. I laugh softly, kneeling down and scooping her into my arms. “I like that one, too.”
I flop down onto the bed, letting her crawl all over me. She pulls my necklace, tugs my earrings, pokes her finger up my nose and then curls up beside me with her dolly. I breathe her in, turning and pressing my face into her hair. Precious. Perfect. Amazing. My life would be nothing without her.
“I love you, sweet baby.”
My eyes flutter closed, and in moments, we’re both out.
CHAPTER TEN
MARCUS
THEN
“This business is mine,” Walter snarls.
I clench my fists, the urge to smack him into next week overwhelming me. How dare he come in here and try to take what’s mine? How dare he fuck me further than he already has? I can feel my own veins throbbing in my head. I’m sure it’s about to explode.
“Over my dead fuckin’ body.”
He throws his head back and laughs. “Your wife is gone, Marcus. What exactly do you think you have to stop me?”
“My wife is helping her sick mother. We are not divorced and she has not left me.”
He smirks at me. “She’s left you. It’s been months. My lawyer is looking into changing the title now.”
“You don’t get the fuckin’ business until I’ve spoken to my lawyer.”
“What is there to speak about?” He laughs.
My fists clench. “There are terms. Technically, I’m still married.”
“It also says she needs to live with you.”
“She’s caring for her sick mother.”
He shakes his head. “You think I’m that stupid? I know she got those papers. I sent them to her. She has left your sorry ass, and now you’ll lose everything.”
I launch at him, shoving him against the wall, my fingers wrapped firmly around his throat. “You won’t take my fuckin’ business,” I snarl.
“You put me down, Marcus,” he wheezes. “Or I’ll do you for assault!”
I put him down, sending his body soaring. He lands on the ground with a thud, his frail body seeming to take a long time to recover. He lifts his head, staring up at me with rage burning in his gaze.
“You’ll pay for this,” he growls. “You’ll lose everything.”
“Bring it on,” I grin.
~*~*~*~
KATIA
NOW
“This club is amazing!” Wyatt says, hooking his arm through mine and pulling me towards a large, pounding club.
“Don’t listen to him. It’s totally a stripper club,” Landon teases.
I shoot him a look and he flashes me a gorgeous grin. It’s only the three of us tonight, Ford opted to stay at home. I have a good idea why that was. Both of my brothers are decked out in black—black jeans, black shirts, and black boots—yet they make it look completely stylish. I went with the red dress, which has a low V-neck front and is über tight. I matched it with black heels, and left my hair down in curls.
It’s the nicest I’ve looked in a long time.
“How’s it going, Marky?” Wyatt grins, approaching the bouncer at the front door.
“Wyatt, Landon, good to see you.” The large man smiles. “Who’s your friend?”
“This is our sister, Katia.”
The man’s eyes widen. “Didn’t know you had a sister.”
“Neither did we until a few years ago.” Wyatt laughs. “You gonna let us in?”
“Yeah, go through.”
There’s a loud groan from the people waiting in the line, but the boys don’t seem to notice. They drag me through the open double doors into a packed club. It’s got an icy, blue theme going on. The bars are made of solid glass, the walls a light blue, the lights twinkling like snow flakes.
I like it.
“Wow,” I breathe. “This place is unreal.”
“It’s awesome, hey!” Wyatt grins. “What do you drink?”
“Give me a vodka and cranberry,” I say, still staring at the beautiful club.
“On it.”
Wyatt disappears and I turn to Landon. “Tell me you’re a dancer, because I most certainly am. I can bust an epic move on the dance floor.”
He snorts, then turns, putting his hands to his bum and flicking them out singing, “Shake your tail feather!”
I laugh loudly, shaking my head.
“Girl.” He smirks, turning back around. “I’m the king of the dance floor.”
“Dance off?”
He grins. “You got it.”
He takes my hand and leads me through the crowd until we find a dark blue corner booth. We sit down and Wyatt returns moments later with our drinks. Smiling, I take mine.
“So,” I ask, sipping. “Tell me something about you guys, anything.”
For the next hour, Wyatt and Landon tell me about their lives growing up, about their mom, about our dad, and how they became a part of his business. I smile through it all, occasionally feeling a pang of jealousy for the attention they had from our father.
“What about you?” Landon asks. “Your mom seems cool.”
I smile. “She is. She’s all I have.”
“Time to dance!” Wyatt shouts.
We’re four drinks in, and it’s definitely time to dance. I wiggle out onto the dance floor behind them. I’ve been desperate to let my hair down for a long time; this is exactly what I need to clear my head. We find a space and start wiggling about. Landon crooks his finger to me, and when “Sexy Back” comes on, he starts strutting his stuff.
He laughs loudly when he points at me, indicating it’s my turn, and I start strutting my stuff. Before we know it, we’re in a full-blown dance off. I’m wiggling, throwing my hands in the air, doing the sprinkler and totally nailing it. Landon is actually a super dancer, and he’s kind of putting me to shame, but we’re laughing and that feels good.
“I need another drink.” I giggle after half an hour.
“Admit it.” Landon laughs. “You lose!”
I bow in defeat. “I bow down to the king of the dance floor.”
Landon whoops loudly and I turn, still grinning, and shove my way through the people to the bar. I order another drink, and swallow it down quickly. I’m hot and sweaty; I need some cool. I’m also getting very, very drunk. I order one more drink, and carry it with me through the crowd until I find the back door.
When I get out, I find what seems to be a smokers’ garden. There are people everywhere. I purse my lips, contemplating if this air is any fresher than inside, but I decide it’s cooler out here and find a place to sit. A slow song comes on, pouring through the open doors. I recognize it as “Every Time” by Britney Spears. The words flow out, causing my body to tingle. The words are so close to home.
Couples begin kissing, cuddling and dancing. My heart aches and I stare down at my drink. I’m grateful for the airy, lightheaded feeling I’m experiencing right now, because it’s taking some of the deep hurt from my body for the first time in a long while. I sip my drink some more and look up, freezing.
Marcus.
Not alone.
My vision blurs as I see my husband with his arm around another woman. Well, it’s not exactly around her, but it is resting on her hip and he’s whispering something into her ear. Rage, pain, betrayal and hurt mix deep inside me. He’s not supposed to be doing so well. This isn’t supposed to be so fucking easy for him.
I stand up suddenly, too suddenly, and I fall forward, a result of the alcohol swimming in my system. I brace for my landing, but manage to catch the side of a table before I hit the ground. Glasses smash and people stop what they’re doing to turn and look at me. Tears are running down my cheeks and I want to scream for being so pathetic, so fucking weak.
I lift my gaze and Marcus is staring at me, his mouth slightly gaping. He lets the woman go and turns, striding towards me. I push up, turning quickly, tripping on my heels. I shove out of the garden and rush around the back of the club, pressing my back to a brick wall to catch my breath.
“Katia.”
I turn sharply to see Marcus standing under the dull glow of a streetlight. He’s wearing a tuxedo, and his hair is messy and unkempt, in serious need of a cut. His eyes burn into mine and my throat closes up, tightening with every breath I take.
“How dare you be happy?” I cry, my voice an angry rasp. “How dare you get to feel good? How dare you get a good life while I’m suffering? How dare you fucking look at me like you’re actually sorry? How dare you exist?”
He flinches and steps forward. “I do fucking care. If you’d talk to me—”
“You’d tell me what?” I scream. “You’d tell me I matter, that you made a mistake, that your life has been hell? You’d be wrong, Marcus. You don’t know hell; you’ll never understand hell the way I do. Does that woman in there make it better?”
His eyes grow pained and I want to lunge forward and rip them from their sockets. “She was business.”
“Do you always put your hands on your business associates?”
“Katia, I can’t begin to understand the hurt you are feeling, but I’m hurting too. Maybe not as much, but I am . . .”
“Stop lying.” My voice is a frantic, emotional shriek. “For once in your life, stop fucking lying to me. Just say it, say what it is, and stop hiding behind that insufferable wall of stone.”
His eyes narrow and he steps forward. I step back, pressing my palms to the cool brick wall behind me.
“You want to know what it is? You want to know what I did? I married you to keep my business; I didn’t love you, I didn’t care what happened to you. I used you, I fucked you, and I did all that so I wouldn’t lose what I’ve worked for.”
I make a pained, choking sound, wrapping my fingers around my throat, as if that will stop the hurt delving into my soul.
“You kept pushing.”
“Don’t you dare blame me,” I shout.
He puts a hand up. “You’ve had your chance to have your say, Katia. Now it’s mine.”