Page 218 of The Bonus

“Unless what?”

“Unless she’s talking to another man.”

“Then what?”

“Then they move in and await my instruction.”

“Okay.”

I hang up and glare at the wall.

If she’s talking to someone else tonight, it’s fucking on.

3 a.m., I sit on the couch, my feet up on the ottoman, a scotch in my hand.

Anger in my soul.

I’m playing nice and letting her have her night out, I’m not moving in even though Grace has been approached by five men tonight.

Five.

Luckily for her, she’s waved them away…lucky for them too.

My phone vibrates in my hand. “Yes,” I snap as my heart races.

“Grace has just arrived home in a taxi; she’s safely inside.”

“Alone?”

“Yes, sir.”

I close my eyes in relief.

“Good.” I hang up and inhale sharply.

This woman’s got me crazy.

I pull into the driveway just on 4 p.m.

The kids are happily chattering on in the backseat, but my mood is somber.

I feel like I’m dropping my heart off at the bus stop and I won’t be able to pick it up again until Thursday when I come back.

The more time I spend with them, the harder it is to leave.

It’s like I have this ache in my heart for all the time I’ve lost. When I first found out about the children, the time that had passed seemed irrelevant.

They were six, it was what it was.

But now I know how much joy spending twenty-four hours with them brings me.

Six years is insurmountable.

I turn the car off and drag myself from the car, the kids slowly get out and I hear the front door open. I glance up to see Grace standing on the front veranda.

Are you tired…because I fucking am.

“See you on Friday.” I force a smile.

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