Page 42 of Chasing Temptation
He’s sporting a shiner of a black eye and a split lip. It’s been weeks since I laid into him—that should have healed long ago. This is recent, and something settles inside me that he’s not being treated the way I’m sure he expects to be in here.
“Elizabeth,” he drawls, making my fingers curl into fists at my sides. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”
Quinn opens her mouth but no words pass her lips. My demand for him to set her free is right on the end of my tongue, but I bite it back. It’s not my place to do this for her.
“I see you brought your security again. He should be rotting in here with me after his assault. What did you do? Pay off the cops or something? A thug like you shouldn’t be walking the streets.”
“That’s enough,” Quinn snaps, finding her voice at last. “Do not talk to him like that. He’s more of a man than you’ll ever be.”
He laughs. It’s bitter and evil. “Is that right?” His top lip curls in disgust as he looks me up and down. It’s amusing because where I’m six foot two and built of solid muscle, he’s a tall, skinny golf playing wanker. Even if he did stand up to me the day I found Quinn, he never would have won. Sadly, the only people he can beat are women and kids.
“I want a divorce, Jeremy. I need you to sign those papers and get it over with.”
“Yeah, about that...” He taps his finger to his busted lip. “I don’t want to.”
Anger rolls off Quinn in waves.
“You’re a fucking arsehole, you know that?” she seethes, careful to keep her voice down so she doesn’t alert the guards.
His laugh has a shiver of terror racing down my spine. How Quinn lived with this cunt for so long and came out as stable as she has is a fucking miracle; the guy is nothing less than a total psychopath.
I lean forward, my teeth bared, the muscles in my neck straining with my restraint.
“Give her what she’s fucking owed.”
“Oh wow, the goon talks.”
My teeth grind to the point I fear I might crack one.
“I do a fucking lot more than that. Top of my list is taking care of a woman as she deserves to be treated. Now sign the fucking papers and allow Quinn—Elizabeth—to get on with her life while you rot away in here.”
“Never.”
“What did I ever do to you for you to hate me so much?” Quinn asks, sounding genuinely curious.
He looks her up and down, making me want to wrap my hand around his neck. “I don’t hate you, Elizabeth. I love you.” His brows draw together as if this should be obvious to his wife, his eyes bounce between her like he’s waiting for her to return the sentiment.
“Liar. You never loved me. The only thing you love is control. You never wanted me to stand up for myself. You always wanted me weak and put exactly in my place.”
He shrugs. “Well, it seems like you’ve got me all figured out. Which leads me to wonder why you bothered making this trip. You’re mine. You’ll be mine for as long as I can keep you, so you can forget about your precious divorce. You’ll have to kill me before I sign those papers.”
“I’m sure that can be arranged,” I mutter, barely keeping myself together.
“Fine. Have it that way. Divorce or not, you no longer control me. You no longer have that power. Goodbye, Jeremy. I hope you have a fucking horrible stay and get everything you deserve.” With that, she pushes her chair out behind her and stalks towards the exit.
“Sign those fucking papers,” I hiss. “I see the guys giving you the eye in here. They clearly haven’t held back.” I nod at his face. “And that’s only from a couple of weeks here. I’m sure I could find a way to make your life a living hell. You’re in here with the worst of the worst, I’m sure they’ll take great delight in wiping an abuser and paedophile from the planet.” I don’t hang around for his response. I need to get to my girl.
The second I step from the room she runs at me, tears staining her cheeks. I open my arms and wrap her in them as she cries.
“I knew it was a stupid idea.”
“You had to at least try. But like you said, it doesn’t matter. He can’t rule your life now. We’ll just wait him out. Your life can move on with or without his consent.”
She nods against me, but I’m not sure if she believes me. We’ve not really talked about where our relationship is headed, but I have every intention of asking her to be my wife one day. I’d like that to be one day soon, but I’ll wait forever to hear her say ‘I do’ if I have to.
The drive home is almost as silent as the trip up, but Quinn seems different. She might not have got what she needed, but I think she was right. Seeing him in there, without his freedom…it was the closure she needed.
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