Page 74 of Hale's Pawn
The lights are off so Oran must be asleep. My heart aches for him and I realize that maybe I should’ve spoken to him about everything but I just… I can’t stop. “I’m going to try and get some sleep then. Oran’s probably pissed off at me but at least he’s home safe.”
Mikonos looks at me. “He’s not here.”
“Where is he?”
“At Jagger’s,” Mikonos responds. “Ains…your husband isn’t part of this life. He doesn’t understand it, so don’t torture him for it. Speak to him or don’t speak to him, but figure it out because your head needs to be in the fucking now. We don’t have time to be sad,” he says.
I nod and get out of the car. The car doesn’t leave until I’m inside the house. The lights automatically come on and it feels so empty. I feel empty without Oran. I call him and on the third ring, he picks up. “So, you finally give a fuck enough to call me?” he says. I know he’s angry.
“Listen, can you at least tell me next time when you’re not going to be home?” I say.
Oran chuckles but there’s no happiness behind it. “You don’t get to fucking say that to me. Don’t do that, Ainslee. I’m trying to take into consideration what the hell is going on, but you’re pushing it. All I want is to understand. You’re my wife and I worry about you. I’m worried right now because of your dad and brother, but I’m upset too, because you dismissed me. I’m not your lackey, I’m your husband.”
“Look, all I’m saying is…consider your fucking safety, Oran! That’s all.”
“Don’t,” he warns.
I sigh. “Maybe it’s good that you’re at Jagger’s place,” I say softly, suddenly so tired.
“Why? Is it cause I can see through the bullshit lie you’re telling yourself right now?” Oran bites out.
“I deserve that. But no, because there’s Karessa and Jagger there. Two people. The more witnesses, the better, and the easier I’ll sleep at night. I’ll send some men over there too, they won’t come in though. I think I’ll try to get some sleep. Call me in the morning?” I try.
“We’ll see.” Oran hangs up. I can’t be mad at him, I get it. Anyone with common sense would react like he is. I sigh heavily, making my way to our room. I remove my clothing and throw them in the hamper. I jump in the shower and try not to break down. I have to be strong. I need to be strong for my family
After my shower, I grab one of Oran’s t-shirts and slip into bed. I toss and turn, not able to sleep at first. I grab Oran’s pillow, pulling it close to my body. I inhale his scent and I realize how much I miss my husband. I fold myself into the fetal position. I fall asleep.
When I come to, Oran’s side of the bed is cold. I clear my throat and get my day started. I shower and do what needs to be done. What others don’t know is that my status right now is different, so everything about me is going to be different. I do the bare minimum with my makeup, then I stare at my hair. It’s straight and long but something doesn’t feel right. Nothing feels right. I grab a pair of scissors and I cut a few inches off. Instead of it being to my butt, it’s now mid-back. I’m glad that I was trained in cutting my own hair or else I would look insane today.
I put the scissors down and sign. I reach for my phone and I dial Oran. “Pick up, pick up, pick up… please pick up.”
The phone rings and goes to voicemail. I clear my throat. I take a deep breath in and release another one. I leave my phone on the dresser as I get dressed. I put on a long sleeve, black satin dress shirt and I tuck it into fitted dress pants. I gather my hair up in a high ponytail and slip some all-black Red Bottoms on. I hold my black blazer in my arm as I go into my filming room. I grab my gun, placing it in the small of my back, then I put on my blazer.
I grab my phone and there’s a message.
Mr. Hale: Communication.
I look at that one word text. I sigh because I know I’m guilty of this right now. I walk out the house and Mikonos is standing outside waiting for me. He looks at me with a smirk on his face. I can see how tired he is, and distraught, but he’s only showing me because he wants me to know that he’s here with me.
“How’s he doing?” I ask him about Oran.
“He stayed at Jagger’s all night. Now he’s at their gym’s private location. He’s been there since four in the morning. You want to pass by?”
I nod as he opens the door for me. I climb in and sit in the back, looking over my phone. I call Ciro Sarkozy.
“Calling a married man in the early hours is like a sin, don’t you think, Don?” he addresses me by my temporary title.
I snicker. “Honestly, Ciro, had I been invited to this wedding of yours, things would be easier for you,” I joke.
Ciro chuckles a bit. “I wasn’t invited to yours either, so it’s tie, but I’m sorry about your father. I’m looking into it. When are you coming down?”
“How’s later on this week?”
“Done. Till then.”
“Till then, Mr. Sarkozy.”
“Don Ainslee.”
