Page 127 of Desolation

The news hasn’t been made aware of anything that has happened the night of the gala. Only that a random shooting occurred.

“You were already here. You went to the gala.”

“I went back to DC that night after I talked to you.”

“Mmm.”

“What’s wrong?”

I clear my throat. “We need to talk about the divorce, Michael.”

He shakes his head as he steps away from me. “No. I already told you it isn’t happening.”

“So you really meant it? You are going to blackmail me into not divorcing you and if not you are going to pin that money sitting in my foundation on me?”

“What money?”

I scrunch my brow. “Really? Do you not remember threatening me the other night?”

“I didn’t threaten you.”

“It sure sounded like it. What about these bruises?” I point to my wrist where he grabbed me.

“How did that happen?” he asks.

I scoff. “Do you know what? I’ll do what I have to in order to get the divorce and the kids.”

He takes a step closer to me, his presence threatening. “No, Mariela, you listen to me. I told you that this isn’t happening. I am putting in a bid for president. I can’t be divorced. I need to be married. I need the doting family.”

“You want to lie to a country in order to be president.”

He slams his fist on the counter. “No, dammit. I want us to be a happy family.”

Fuck this is not what the FBI wanted. But I am not good at this. I am not like Landon or Mark or Jackson. I am just a mom that wants to be there for her kids.

“You already got the summons from the court.”

“And I will fight like hell to keep this divorce from happening. You have nothing on me Mariela. I am not the bad man you are trying to make me out to be.”

“The girls want their father around.”

“Then move them to DC when I’m there. I’ve told you countless times that’s the answer to everything.”

“My mom is here. The girls like their school. I am not going to make them split their time between two homes.”

He groans. “You know what? I came here to make sure you were okay. Not to discuss your ridiculous idea of divorce. And don’t think I don’t know about that man you’ve been fucking. I know a lot more than you think.” He heads to the garage before turning around to look at me. “This isn’t over.”

“What were you fighting about with your father a few weeks ago?” I ask him out of the blue.

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“The girls said you had a yelling match with him when they were staying there.”

“Nothing that concerns you.”

“Michael,” I say sternly.

“There are things you are better off not knowing. And anything that involves my father is one of them.”

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