Page 52 of Married With Lies

“As a result of self-defense. That doesn’t exactly make him Doc Holliday. He’s actually a…businessman.”

She straightens up and glares down at me. Easy to do since she’s a solid six inches taller in heels. “You’re a terrible liar, Mercedes Wingate. Or whatever your name is these days. I knew you’d been hiding something these past few months and I thought maybe you had some secret online boyfriend you didn’t want to talk about.”

“No, I just have a secret real life husband that I don’t like to talk about. And I haven’t changed my name. I know that I owe you a much better explanation and I also know that you deserve a much better best friend but right now I’m just begging you to please please help the injured man who is technically my husband.”

She softens and tilts her head as she gives me a long, probing look. “Do you love him?”

I swallow hard, internally warring with the promises I made to Cale and the need to tell Gus the truth. “It’s not like that.”

Gus takes a step back and surveys the newly improved grounds of Bright Hearts. “I’m guessing this acquisition of a spouse has something to do with your sudden prosperity.”

“I made a deal. That’s all I can say. You have every right to feel deceived but the details of this arrangement need to stay between me and him.”

“Has he threatened you? Because I will have to handle his ass if that’s the case.”

I stifle a laugh because she’s completely serious. “No need to handle anyone. He hasn’t threatened me at all.” I’m almost fearful to ask the next question. “Are you still my best friend?”

She sighs and throws an arm over my shoulder. “I’m your ride or die, cupcake. There’s no getting rid of me.”

Gus turns her head and we both stare as a pair of black Range Rovers and a private ambulance turn through the open gate and roll in our direction.

“Who’s that?” she says. “More surprise husbands?”

No, this is apparently the medical team sent by Richie Amato. I’m trying not to be impressed but it’s rather remarkable that Cale’s uncle has the power to summon a response like this.

Some of the men who emerge with granite expressions and sunglasses resemble a Secret Service team. They observe everything and say nothing as they quickly scan the area. The man who slides out of the first Range Rover is the one in charge. He’s tall with the broad-shouldered, long-legged build of an Olympic athlete, wavy brown hair that should star in a shampoo commercial, cheekbones that the fashion industry would bleed for and a dazzling smile that competes with the sun. He takes long strides toward us in a suit that could have just been plucked from an Armani rack.

Even Gus, difficult to impress, is wowed. She actually whispers the word, “Wow,” under her breath.

The man has a British accent and briefly introduces himself as Doctor Bond. But before I can answer him I’m distracted by the sight of the Men In Black team fanning out towards the barn.

“Hey!” I shout, “Where do you guys think you’re going?”

The men about face and their sunglasses look to the doctor for direction.

“They’re with me,” he says and even pats my arm, as if I’m a nervous kindergartener. “They’re just following protocol to ensure there is no threat on the property.”

“There’s no threat in the barn. There are only horses. Tell them to stand down.”

The doctor makes a sharp arm gesture to the Men In Black. They obediently retreat.

“Which one of you ladies is Sadie?” says Dr. Bond.

“That would be me. Cale is in the house. He’s awake and he’s even more ornery than usual but he’s lost a lot of blood.” It’s a punch in the gut I flash back to the way Cale crumpled to the ground not too long ago.

Dr. Bond lets out a low whistle and waves his hand. The doors to the ambulance promptly open and a gurney gets rolled out by two guys wearing basic navy blue tactical uniforms.

“You lead the way, Sadie,” says Dr. Bond.

“Right. Follow me.” I heave Cale’s duffel bag to one shoulder and start to drag the spinner but two members of Dr. Bond’s entourage close in and politely relieve me of my burdens. A third man then tries to carry Gus’s medical bag, which is one of her prized possessions, inherited from her father. She kicks him in the shin and joins me at the front of the procession into the house.

For a few minutes, mayhem reigns. Apollo and Zeus need to be secured in a bedroom due to their exhilaration over all these new guests. Peggy rearms herself with the broom and keeps a suspicious eye on the Men In Black as they quickly walk through the house to make sure there are no mass murderers hiding behind the drapes. Jasper has moved onto devouring a stack of Peggy’s chocolate chip cookies and watches us all pass by with his mouth full.

It's when we confront Cale that we run into problems. He’s still shirtless, sitting up in bed, fatigue written all over his face, looking like he’s tempted to keel over again. However, he flatly refuses to sit on the gurney and get wheeled out to the ambulance.

“It’s a sixty-five mile drive,” explains the doctor. “We’ll be there within the hour and you’ll be transported in comfort. The hospital is a private facility where I have special privileges. Your vitals are stable but once we’re there we can get a clearer picture as to what we’re dealing with.”

“Please go with the doctor,” I say to Cale. “Please.”

---