Page 77 of Rekindling Desire

Ella laughed. “Talking to your mom naked is…” Her nose scrunched. “Wait, if I answer your phone, she’ll know we’re together.”

“Yeah, she still thinks we’re married.”

“Oh, that’s right.” Ella pursed her lips.

“Hi, Marsha.” I heard her say as I went into the large closet and slipped into a clean pair of boxers. As I came back out, she said, “That’s good news. Here, let me pass you to Damien.”

I took the phone. “Hi, Mom. What’s the good news?”

Mom proceeded to tell me what she’d no doubt just explained to Ella. Dad was progressing. His blood pressure and pulse oximeter readings were good. It meant his heart was doing its job. On top of that, they’d lowered his pain medicine. After the update, she added, “I read about the news conference.”

“It’s nothing, Mom. Dani and I have everything under control.”

“I figured you did.”

I almost mentioned Ella’s and my invalid marriage and the one with Amber. However, as I constructed the sentences in my head, I decided Mom had enough concerns. I’d rather tell her after the annulment was filed.

After disconnecting the call, I made my way beneath the covers. Ella laid her laptop on the bedside stand and turned off the lamp. As darkness covered the room, she curled against my side, her head on my shoulder.

“I don’t think I would want to be alone after what Amber did.”

Wrapping my arm around her, I pulled her close. “You’re not alone. You never will be if I have my way.”

“Don’t you always get your way?”

“Not always, but my average isn’t bad. Sometimes it takes longer than I want.” Like having you back in my arms.

I kissed the top of her head.

“Why spy on us?” she asked.

“I’ve been thinking about it and I’ve come up with a few options. (A) she’s obsessed with me.”

“Yeah, because all women are.”

“(B) She—and maybe my brother—want proof of Dwain Welsh’s concern.”

Ella lifted her head. “That I’m sharing trade secrets with you from the coalition?”

I nodded.

“And taking Duchess?” she asked.

“A power play.”

She laid her head back on my shoulder. “I’m exhausted. Will you hold me as I fall asleep?”

“There’s no place I’d rather be.”

Ella rolled to her side, and I rolled with her. With her back to my front and my arms around her, I knew of something I wanted but couldn’t have. I wanted to take away the horrible hours we spent thinking that Duchess was missing, the way Ella’s tears streamed down her cheeks, and the sadness in her voice. The longer I held Ella, the more determined I became to bring a stop to this disastrous situation with Darius and Amber.

The next morning, I’d awakened to the email Amber said would arrive.

Ella’s and my marriage was invalid.

I was already married.

As I walked with Ella out to the driveway, she reached for my hand. We’d both had visual confirmation of Duchess, who happened to be lying in a beam of morning sunlight in the library.

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