Page 38 of With Wine Comes War

Is it a guy thing or a manipulation thing by a control freak?

I’m glad he didn’t want to talk about Luke, though, that would’ve been uncomfortable. I was really kind of enjoying being treated so sweetly but I don’t know how to incorporate that into fighting or determine if he was trying to manipulate me to do what he wanted. I felt like I literally needed to be kept in a state of anger and frustration in order to focus on this case to make sure Tanner goes to jail, just like he deserves. His fucking brother could get him out of all this so easily, I just know it. I need to make sure there’s no way that happens and if I get distracted by whatever this is with Roman right now, it’s all going to come crashing down. Today I’m going to torture myself, I guess, and feed off some of that frustration.

***

ROMAN

It took a lot of self-control to not ask her what her ex texted her. From what I’ve heard from her and her family he’s a real piece of work and I wanted to keep the anger to a minimum. The aggression she showed last night was concerning to say the least.

We pulled into the valet of her apartment and she ran in to get some things. I couldn’t help but think about everything that happened and where it all went wrong. If that fucker, Tanner, had never touched her, things would’ve been good between us, I have no doubt. I’d really love to beat the shit out of that asshole for what he did. I smacked the steering wheel in frustration then swiped at my forehead to push my hair back. I’m just glad she’s giving me any time at all.

“Hey, you up yet?” Harrison sounds almost chipper as I answer the phone sitting in the car waiting for Alex to get her things.

“Yeah, why?”

“Just checking on you, see if you need some aspirin.” Very fucking funny.

“Nope, I had breakfast this morning.”

“Did you now? How many times did you have breakfast?”

Yeah, not doing this with him this morning.

“Blueberry pancakes, Harry.”

Harrison grumbled, “Damn, you’re so fucking boring lately. You used to be more forthcoming.” As Alex opened the door to get in Harrison said, “Alex took all the fun out of our brotherly date recaps. Now I get nothing.” I wiggled my eyebrows at her as she tried not to laugh.

She said, “Hi Harrison.”

Harrison gave us a moment of silence as we stared into each other’s eyes.

“Well, this is a surprise. Is this a carryover from last night?” he quipped.

She hit the mute button and said, “Can we not get him involved in all this? He already has a problem with the way I’mtreatingyou.” She held up air quotes.

I unmuted the phone and said as I looked to the screen, “I’ll call you later.” He said bye and I looked back at Alex. Her frustration was still up front and center apparently.

“He’s not the only one.” Frustration was definitely playing a part in both our lives.

“Maybe I should just stay home.”

I grabbed her hand as she was reaching for the door handle.

“Nope, you’re mine today. If I only get today, I’m going to cherish every moment.” I pulled her hand up to my mouth and placed a soft kiss on the top of her knuckles before releasing it.

“You’ll be at work all day, so that’s not too many moments.” She clasped her hands together in her lap and I paid special attention to the way she gently rubbed her thumb over the place I kissed.

True, I silently agreed but I was going to work on more time with her. Today was not going to be enough for me and I could definitely see progress.

“Then you owe me time tomorrow, too.” I said lighthearted and matter of fact as I smiled, peering at her sideways.

“Sorry, I’m busy tomorrow. I have training then I’m going out with Shay and the boys.” She looked nervous as she answered.

Oh, Okay.I mean I’m glad she’s meeting her friends. That’s good news. Maybe it’s time we all hung out.

“Where?”

She rolled her eyes then looked out the window. “It’s not your scene.”

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