Page 76 of The Reluctant Hero

“Is that everything?” I prod as gently as I can.

“Yes,” he snaps and refocuses on his paperwork, dismissing me.

“Have a good night, everyone,” I flash that smile at all of them and calmly get on the elevator.

I feel more exhausted than I should. Yeah, I got a lot done, but my feet should not be dragging this much.

Harriette stops me as I’m exiting the building by calling my name.

“Amanda.”

Her strident tone spins me around quickly. Finally, something normal to contend with.

I’m elated until my eyes land on the vase of roses on the desk. My stomach sinks because it’s the exact bouquet Loser sent me a few days before our marriage blew up in my face. It’s even the same vase.

A feeling of pressure hits my chest. I don’t want to go anywhere near the innocent flowers.

“Hey,” I say cautiously to hide the fact that I’m rooted to the spot and unwilling to come closer.

“These are for you, and I’m allergic. Take them home.”

My stomach churns. I can’t respond because I feel like smashing them into pieces.

“Hello?” She raises a graying eyebrow impatiently.

I finally get closer and see an envelope stuffed between the blooms. I recognize the handwriting and the use of that hated nickname.Mandy.

“Throw the card away and give them to someone else.” My voice comes out dull. It’s a complete one-eighty from my reaction the last time I received them.

Ace’s words are circling around in my head.

“He’s blocking me in.”

She frowns, blinking in surprise. “What?”

“Just dump them in the trash,” I shake my head and hurry away.

I’m halfway home when my shoulders finally slump, the tension leaving for a minute. I’m left with oppressive thoughts about my life and the confusion of how to fix it.

Then, because I needed even more reasons to be upset, I have an envelope of pictures waiting for me. I’m ready to quit it all and move to Alaska at this point.

17

Go to Hell

Justin Blake

“How did that patience work out for you?” Gloria asks in a cold, deadly tone.

“I’ve pinned her at the apartment. She’s getting desperate,” I rebut strongly.

Inside I’m panicking because this is not my wife I’m dealing with. I have no idea what the little bitch has become, but it’s beyond annoying. She’s probably on drugs by now.

“You don’t own the building. Someone beat you to it because you didn’t bother to try. The eviction threats are as pointless as paying the landlord to threaten her,” she points out through gritted teeth. They’re too perfect to be real. I wonder how much it will cost her to get them fixed when I break them.

I don’t answer her. She doesn’t know what she’s talking about. Amanda is broke and in constant danger in that complex. Matthias won’t help her there. She’ll be in more danger out on the streets. There’s only one place left she can go. I made sure a long time ago that she wouldn’t consider her parents an option. Even if she does, I can rope her back in as soon as she steps past state lines. She can’t afford an abandonment divorce. My partner in crime, Karter, has already got a set of paperwork rolling on that. Having a divorce lawyer as a friend has paid off in several different ways.

“You talked to Matthias about her?”

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