Page 66 of Sins and Secrets

He pulls back. And I know this is the most dangerous time, when he’s been caught and has nothing else to lose.

But Carol calls out, “What’s taking so long?” Her excitement is short lived when she sees us. She scowls and stomps in our direction. “You fucking, selfish cow. He’s the best thing in your life.”

“Selfish cow” echoes down the hallway.

And any self-restraint I have is eradicated, as I yell, “Best thing in my life? He isn’t even in the top 500. He cheated on me with at least twelve different women. In my home! He has no respect for me, my body, my health, or my time.”

Carol’s painted-on brows are too dark for her face. As usual. She storms toward me. “Men cheat. They make mistakes. But you stand by them.”

“Oh, because I don’t remember seeing you at Lukas’s father’s funeral. Is that you standing by your man? Or is it turning a blind eye every time your current husband fucks his secretary who’s younger than his own daughter?”

Each fact is a bullet to her fragile ego.

“You guys are ruining my brunch!” Angie stands at the front of the hallway. I’ve seen her pissed before, but not like this. Behind her is hotel security, looking as menacing as rent-a-cops can be.

Carol points at me. “She’s being an unreasonable, spoiled little bitch.”

Squaring my shoulders, and in an even and calm voice, I say, “Angie, I won’t return to your brunch. If you could have someone bring my purse that would be lovely. This is your day, and I’m not going to distract from it.”

But my best friend can’t hear what I’m saying because she’s too busy muttering to herself and throwing her arms up in the air. “Unbelievable.”

Adam shakes his head. “This is what I get for taking pity on you in the first place and being with someone beneath me.”

Now all the wrath and misplaced self-doubt comes out. “Beneath you? Three of my uncles run the most powerful organization on the East Coast. My father does, too. I am the godmother to the son of Izzy Maricano, the most fearless woman in the Italian mafia. Uri, Joey, Donny, and Thiago would destroy anyone I ask. The single most feared woman in the world considers me to be one of her best friends. I have the Olympians on speed dial. Honey, I think you forgot exactly who I am. I am Waverly fucking Macleod, the best thing you ever had. And lost.”

Adam leans in and sneers, his hot onion breath on my neck. “You’re a fucking cunt.”

“Ungrateful little whore,” Carol growls as they try, and fail, to intimidate me.

The rent-a-cops and Nichole step past Angie. The larger of the two security guards barks, “We’re going to have to ask you to leave.”

Carol smugly says, “Good, get this piece of gutter trash out of here.”

But the guard puts his hands on Adam. “Sir, you need to leave or we’ll be calling the police.”

Carol bristles up like a mongoose ready to fight. “He’s a guest and I am a paying customer.”

But then Nichole steps in. “Your last payment check bounced and your credit card was declined. Ms. Mcleod has been paying the balance on your events.”

A new wave terror washes over Carol’s face. “No. That can’t be right.” She pulls out her phone and calls her husband as she dashes to the lobby.

Adam follows behind, leaving me with Angie. I don’t give her a chance to speak. I’ve placed her in an impossible situation. “I’ll be the greatest maid of honor ever, and then after the wedding, we can talk.”

Angie’s silence speaks volumes as she follows her mother and brother. I lean against the wall and wait for the pounding in my ears to stop.

Nichole leans next to me. “Sorry I made your life harder back there.” She gives a little shrug. “I don’t get to be the deliverer of ‘fuck you’ news often. I saw the opportunity and took it. It probably cost me my job.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. No one’s in charge. Hell, none of us will even have a job in a month.”

“Why?”

“The owner of the hotel died and his wife can’t handle the stress. She needs to sell it, and if we don’t find a buyer, we’ll have to close.” Nichole looks out the window toward the nearly frozen lake. She stays, resting against the wall for several minutes before pushing herself up and dusting herself off. “I better get back to work. I’ll go grab your purse for you. It’ll be at the front desk.”

“I checked my coat…” I start.

Nichole is already on the walkie. “Jeremey, grab coat number fifty-three from the rack and bring it to conference room two.” She pats me on my shoulder and walks away.

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