Page 119 of Desolation

“I hope so. And hopefully a nice donor to keep my sheets warm for the night.”

I shake my head at her as I laugh. “I thought you were seeing that guy. What was his name?”

“Dylan? No.” She shakes her head. “Not this week at least. He’s so hot and cold. And honestly, I’ve had better sex.”

I laugh. “Well, if you are looking for someone else tonight, I don’t think it will be an issue.”

We loop our arms together as we walk to the front door of my house. Mark is standing there holding it open for us as we walk to the Escalade waiting to take us to our event.

The night goes smoothly as we mingle and party with the socialites and millionaires of the northeast. This is my least favorite part of the job but the most important part. I much prefer awarding scholarships and seeing the look on young girls’ faces when they know they can live their dream.

Mark let me know Jackson would have at least five men here. I still think it's overkill considering nothing has happened. No threats, no weird feeling someone is following me.

I’ve seen glimpses of Landon around the room. I am surprised that Jackson let him come here. I want nothing more than to sneak away with him but appearances are everything tonight and I need to act like I don’t know him.

Although that smolder in his eye whenever he looks at me has me clenching my thighs.

I accept a glass of champagne from a server and turn to schmooze a businessman from New York when I feel an arm wrap around my waist.

“What are you doing here?” I ask Michael as he spins me in his arms.

“I wouldn’t miss my wife’s charity gala.”

“Your assistant said you had to work.”

“I got out of it.”

I try to pull away from him but he holds me tighter against him. “I don’t know what bullshit you are trying to pull Mariela but it’s not going to work.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask him still trying to get out of his grip. But he is too strong.

“Stop fighting me. Smile. People are watching.”

I listen to him only because I need to keep the act up too. I can’t let anything scandalous happen when I am trying to take people’s money.

He presses a kiss to my neck, then up my ear, and across my jawbone as he pulls us out of the busy room.

I finally pull away from him, throwing my hands on my hips. “What are you doing Michael?”

His eyes turn angry. “What are you doing, Mariela? I got a summons today. I need to appear in court to talk to a judge about a divorce. You are still trying to do this silly thing? I thought if I gave in to your damn separation you would see you need me in your life but apparently you are too stupid for that.”

I do not need to listen to him. I try to stomp off but he grabs my wrist hard. I yelp in pain but he doesn’t let go. “You think you can make this all go away with a divorce. It will just get worse. If you stay with me, I can make all your problems disappear, Mari. The money in your foundation’s accounts you have been investigating. The threats against you. They will all go away.”

I gasp as he talks. “You did this?”

“No. But I can make it go away. You need to stay with me. Stay married to me. Only I can protect you.”

“Something bad is happening, Michael. I don’t want to be involved.”

“You don’t have to be. But you need to be my wife to stay out of it. You understand, I need you too? You are exactly what I need to get my presidential bid. A poor Latina girl from the west side of the gang ridden streets of Chicago. A woman who helps others find their potential. Just think what you could do as a first lady.”

“Who are you?” I ask. “What happened to the man I love? The one who promised me the world?”

“I grew up, Mariela. Just like you need to. This divorce shit needs to end. If it doesn’t it won't end well for you or the girls.”

He lets go of me and rejoins the party. I fight back tears as I repeat all the things he told me in my head. He knows something. He said he didn’t do any of this but he has to be involved somehow. And the girls. He threatened them too.

I walk backward until my back hits the wall, tears fall down my face. I can’t keep them at bay anymore. I hold onto my wrist, bruises already forming from his grasp.

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