Page 50 of The Marriage Agreement (Agreement)

“Can you come home early so we can have dinner together?” I ask softly. “I don’t like these missing-in-action stunts you keep pulling on me.”

“I’ll come home early, but I’m not pulling any stunts—just giving you space.”

“I don’t want space, Dele—” My phone pings again, interrupting me. I let out a sigh. “Come home early tonight, please,” I plead. I can’t believe I’m begging my wife to come home, but if that’s what it takes, I’ll do it.

“Okay,” she answers simply. I get up, kiss her cheek, and leave. A proper kiss doesn’t feel right at this moment. Martin looks surprised to see me back at the car so soon.

“We have to head back to the office,” I tell him, and he nods.

On the drive, my phone rings. Bruce’s name flashes on the screen.

“Hey.”

“I looked into that Floppy guy. You’re a year late. He’s dead—shot last year.”

“Are you sure it’s him?”

“Yes, I’m very sure. They never found the killer, and I doubt the police looked too hard. The guy was notorious for taking what didn’t belong to him and threatening a lot of people. Some of those threats he carried out. Word is, he messed with the daughter of a Marine. People think the father arranged to take him out, though it can’t be proven. Honestly, I think the cops were glad someone did their job for them and just closed the case.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

“I’ll send you pictures of the crime scene so you can confirm, but I’m certain it’s him.”

“Thanks, Bruce. I’m relieved as hell.”

“Talk later.”

We hang up, and I exhale deeply. Floppy is dead. I need to let Dele know—maybe she’ll relax a bit and stop living in fear of him showing up.

At work, Kevin and I dive right in. Everything that can go wrong seems to. Calls, reports, and patchy resolutions consume the day. Despite our efforts to implement temporary fixes, it looks like I’ll have to travel in a fortnight if none of the proposed solutions hold. The thought of leaving Dele so soon doesn’t sit well with me, but it’s unavoidable.

By the time I get home, it’s late. I find Dele asleep on the living room sofa. I kiss her forehead gently, and her eyes flutter open.

“You’re back?” Her voice is groggy.

“Yes, Ayo mi. Sorry I’m late.”

“Did you eat?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Okay, goodnight.” She staggers toward her room.

Minutes later, I try to check on her, but her door is locked. Fuck!

Chapter 35

LUKE

When I wake, Dele is gone. My day unfolds much like yesterday: busy, shitty, and draining. Only this time, I leave a little earlier. I notice Dele is home when I arrive. I’ve just changed into my lounge pants when my phone rings, Osei’s name flashing on the screen.

“Hey, I’ve been calling Dele, and she’s not responding. I know she’s getting ready. Can you tell her I’m on my way and she better be ready?” he states casually, like it’s just normal for him to take my wife out. Maybe it is for him, but it sure as hell isn’t for me.

“You do realize it’s almost midnight? Dele isn’t going anywhere with you.” He laughs, like I’m joking. The sound grates on my nerves, and the fact that he seems to sense my irritation only makes him laugh harder.

“I mean it, Osei.”

“Just let her know I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.” He hangs up without another word. Fuming, I head to her room and knockon her door. She opens it, dressed in an off-shoulder, short red dress with slits on the sides, accentuating her pinched waist and hips, her breasts pushed up. She’s putting on a large loop earring.

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