Page 79 of Unravel You

Chapter22

That Will Never Change

Derek

“I need something stronger than tea.” I glanced up from my laptop as Mom set down a tray with teacups and biscuits on my library desk.

“Just drink it.” She sat across from me.

I shrugged and sipped from the delicate china. The brew was basically bourbon. I chuckled and took another swig. “Thanks.”

“How is she doing?”

“Same. She was up when I left the room this morning.”

Mom let out a breath. “Maybe she’ll feel better when she goes home? Or if she sees Max?”

“She said no to both.”

After we’d come back from Savannah, Valentina let me help her with a shower and fresh clothes. She’d climbed into bed and slept for an entire day. She needed space and time to process. I just wished she’d talk to me. God only knew what Bridget and Alex put her through during the twenty-four hours they had her.

“It’s awful that she’d associate this house with such a terrible thing.” Mom stood and poured herself a tea. “I can see why she wouldn’t want Max to come here now.”

“Me too.”

A knock on the door broke our silence. Tyler strolled in and sat on the chair next to Mom. “Got a call from my buddy at the FBI. Charges have been officially filed. Bridget and Alex will be transferred today.”

“Thanks. Let me know if they need me.”

“The agent assigned will be in touch.” He exchanged a look with Mom before he turned his attention to me. “How’s Valentina doing?”

“She got out of bed this morning. Hasn’t left the room though.”

“Talk to her.”

I wanted nothing more than to be upstairs with Valentina. But she’d asked for time. We did need to have our talk, though a part of me was afraid of where my conversation with Valentina would lead. Her face showed how much she regretted coming here. We were still in Atlanta because she didn’t have the energy to leave the room, let alone travel.

“You’re afraid she’ll dump your ass after what Bridget did?” Tyler had always been so perceptive. “Don’t be. She’ll have questions. Just be honest with her.”

“Honest? About all the shit I’ve done?” I rubbed the side of my face. “Jesus, Bridget went after Valentina because of me.”

“Valentina doesn’t seem like the type to give up easily.”

“I wouldn’t blame her if she wanted to call off the wedding.”

“We all had a hand in that.” Mom pursed her lips. “I’m so sorry I acted the way I did. She has to know that’s not your fault.”

“Bridget was my fault.” I lowered my gaze to the papers sprawled on my desk.

If Valentina was upstairs thinking about leaving me for good, it wouldn’t be because of Mom. Her decision would be entirely on me. I was the one who lied to her about the situation brewing with Bridget and later with Alex. She felt she couldn’t trust me because, up until now, I hadn’t done anything to show her I trusted her.

“Snap out of it, man.” Tyler threw a pen at me. “It’s not over yet. Go talk to her.”

I nodded and downed the rest of Mom’s tea. “I should bring a tray of this with me.”

“I’ll send one up.” Mom rose to her feet and offered a warm smile. At least she had come around about my relationship with Valentina.

I trudged upstairs and knocked on Valentina’s door twice. When I didn’t hear any movement, I turned the metal knob and went in. The room was just as I’d left it this morning, dark and cold.

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