Page 57 of Loving Justice

“Thank you will suffice.”

“I can’t accept this.” She pushed the document away because she didn’t want to look at it.

He shrugged and steepled his fingers. “Don’t be full of pride, dear. It’s a wedding gift.”

“It’s too much.”

“I can afford it.”

She wanted to move the conversation forward. “You said there’s more.”

“Oh, yes. Tribe, the thumb drive.”

The bodyguard reached into the sideboard buffet and produced another smaller envelope. He placed it in front of Justice too.

“In that envelope, you’ll find the drive that contains any pictures I ever took,” he said quietly.

“How can I trust you?”

“You will just have to take my word for it.”

“But we know your word isn’t worth much.”

He squinted. “Yes, I know how you feel, darling, but thank you for the reminder.” He saluted her with his wine glass and emptied it, then poured himself more. “Try the steak, Justice. The chef went to a lot of trouble.”

She rolled her eyes and cut a small bite off. It was perfectly cooked. “You mentioned Lanah and the baby. How do you know?”

“Tsk. Tsk. Let’s not get out of order.” He waved a finger. “How happy are you, Justice?”

She clasped her hands in her lap. “I’m happy.” And if she weren’t, she wouldn’t have admitted that to Kent. “I don’t see how that’s relevant.”

“It’s very relevant. I see your disappointment when you look at me. You see me as the monster. What you should know is that we all have secrets. Everyone isn’t above selling a part of themselves simply to get ahead.”

She sighed. “Do you want to convince me that you aren’t a monster? It’s too late for that. All this,” she encompassed the envelopes on the table. “won’t change what I saw in you.”

“And you think Jinx Weathersby is of a different caliber?” His voice contained bitter anger.

"I truly believe he is kind, generous, and honest." Her love for him grew each day.

Kent replied thoughtfully, "Embracing the truth leads to freedom and joy."

“And you know the truth from a lie?” she charged.

"Have you ever thought about the surprises your husband might be hiding? I can't wait to share something that could change the way you see him!"

“There’s nothing you can say to me that’ll persuade me,” she said sternly.

“I did a little digging.”

She jumped up. “I don’t want to be here any longer.”

“We haven’t gotten to the best part yet,” he said calmly. “I assure you, I’m not just making things up.”

Tribe set a laptop on the table, opened the lid, and pressed a button. A grainy, black-and-white video appeared on the screen. She turned away, not caring what Kent wanted to show her.

“Isn’t that your husband?” Kent said.

Curious, she leaned in to get a better look. “That’s the restaurant where you and I met.”

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