Page 141 of Falling Too Late

“Uh-huh. I still don’t believe that.” She moved to a computer mounted on the wall. A chair screeched across the tile. Alex leaned back and I got a glimpse of a huge man behind him who lookedeerily familiar. I was now realizing this was the person behind the snoring.

“Good thing I brought in a copy of his marriage certificate.” The man got up, pulling a paper out from somewhere, handing it to her.

She looked it over and gave a disapproving look. “Well, congratulations,Mrs.Harper.” She handed the paper over to me. “You might want to work on getting your license updated.”

“Yeah,” I took the paper from her gingerly with my corded hand, flipping it over and staring at the words. “I’ll get on it.” Sure as shit, that was my signature, but I knew I hadn’t signed this paper.

“Mrs. Harper, would you like me to update your emergency contact in the system?”

A laugh bubbled up, causing me to wince in pain. “Yeah, please update the information to myhusband.”

After Nurse Connie took my vitals and blinded me with lights, informing me that I had taken a nasty fall, she ordered a few more tests before she finally left.

“You forged my signature?” I said softly, once I knew we were out of earshot.

“Yes.”

“How did you even know how I signed things?”

“I used to mimic your handwriting when you gave me back the biology homework. It’s still a habit of mine.”

“But why?”

“Why did I pick up the habit, or why did I forge your signature?”

“Obviously the signature.” I would figure out the copying my handwriting later.

“They were trying to get ahold of your mom,” he said softly. “I wasn't trying to take away having a wedding or proposing to you, sweetheart. I didn’t want them to contact her. So much happened all at once and I needed a little control over it.”

I held the marriage license up. “We are going to talk about this later.” I set it down before saying, “She’s dead.”

“What?” His eyebrows rose in shock. “Foster never. . .”

“She wouldn’t have found her. She dropped her married name and went back to her maiden name. She died three years ago.” The words came out with no emotion. I didn’t care then, and I still didn’t now.

“I see.”

The huge man cleared his throat next to us.

“Wren, this is Nikolas. We had each other's backs while we were both in prison. He’s Ezekiel's brother,” Alex explained.

He had a buzz cut and striking blue eyes. Scars along his face told me he had been in quite a few fights.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Harper.” There was an accent in his voice that I hadn’t heard before. “If you ever need anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or my brother.” He placed his hand over his chest in a sincere gesture. “Alex saved my life, and so I will spend mine repaying him. Since you are his life, you are included in that vow.”

I didn’t know what to do with that information. My head was killing me and it was a lot to take in.

“It’s…nice to meet you too,” I whispered.

I looked back to Alex. “Fall?”

“I’ll explain everything once we get you home.” Gently, he brushed my cheek with his thumb.

I was exhausted. I had questions, but I leaned my head back and closed my eyes.

“I think she’s out.”

“Yeah. Seems so.” I felt his lips touch the crown of my head. I wanted to open my eyes, I wanted to talk to him more, but I couldn’t muster the strength.

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