Page 75 of Mistletoe Missus
My excuse to meet while I was on the job had worked, conveying to Cyprus that the park beside a church would be the perfect place. I could slip away while the photographer took pictures of the lovely couple and captured their memories on camera. This would give me time to show Cyprus the divorce papers Mitt wanted me to sign and hopefully be able to piece together what had happened while I was unconscious in a hospital bed. Nothing made sense because Cyprus had wanted Mitt to stay married.
Why did Mitt suddenly want a divorce?
Despite being stubborn and risking my life, I wasn’t stupid. Mitt’s reasoning for divorce didn’t sit right with me. My inability to not listen to him or how he never gave a damn about me didn’t have me convinced. I had felt my husband’s shift. I had witnessed his transformation before my eyes, and I knew he was keeping something from me. His alleged criminal father was the key to unlocking the truth.
The photographer clicked his camera and instructed the newlyweds on where to stand as they struck a pose. Laughter broke out as the wedding party gathered around, and happiness blossomed with perfect smiles.
I watched everything unfold as a light snow fell from the sky and a snowflake landed on my nose. My vision went from crossed eyed and adjusted to clear as I glanced down at my cell phone for the time. Half-past two in the afternoon. Cyprus should be here any moment, and I knew what I had to do.
“I don’t see him,” Holly said as she searched the parking lot for Mitt’s father and chewed her bottom lip.
“He’ll be here,” I breathed with certainty and turned to Holly, squeezing her hand. “Stay here and keep watch. I’ll be back soon.”
Holly squeezed back. “Stay safe.”
“I will.” I smiled to lessen her fear.
Knots tightened in the pit of my belly as I walked through the parking lot, and I came closer to the park. The more distance I put between me and the cheery wedding party added extra anxiety that Holly was right, and I was in over my head, but it was too late to turn back now.
Cyprus Morgan waited for me right where I had directed him to be.
At least Mitt’s father had listened. Now I had to hope he didn’t try anything stupid. A desperate man could lead to dangerous thinking, but Cyprus was only a suspected criminal. To what extent I didn’t know, and I sure as hell prayed I didn’t find out.
“Tinsley...” Cyprus said as he heard me approach and turned around to face me. “I’ve been curious since you messaged me what this was all about?”
Cyprus gave me a smug face and clasped his hands together in front of him. He wore a long gray wool overcoat with leather mittens covering his hands. My mind went dark and wondered who he had killed with those gloved grips of death. Did he prefer strangulation, a knife, or a gun?
Focus, Tinsley, just get this over with!
A shiver ran through me, and I gave myself a mental shake. “It’s about Mitt.”
Cyprus stepped closer. “What about my son?”
In defiance, I kept my position and refused to turn away from the monster that had sought to destroy my life. I wouldn’t back down from the man who had abused my husband and made it hard for him to love. I wanted the truth, and I needed it now.
“When I was unconscious in the hospital, did something happen between you and Mitt?” I asked.
“No,” Cyprus replied.
“You’re lying.” I glared at him with hatred.
“Tinsley, Tinsley, Tinsley...” Cyprus tsked and reached a hand out to brush hair behind my ear. “Far too stubborn for my son. He needs someone more compliant, much more obedient than you, and I think he might have found her.”
With disgust, I slapped his hand, but he caught my wrist. I couldn’t move and Cyprus’s surprise move stunned me, but I held my place. I wouldn’t let him win easily.
“What the hell are you talking about?” I questioned through clenched teeth.
“You’re off the hook. My son has moved on with another woman, and she wants to get married, but she wants to do everything you never could,” Cyprus replied as he glanced down at the back of my hand with pity and searched my bruised skin. “So, turn in those signed divorce papers before you get hurt again. I’d hate to see something happen to you.”
I gasped and tugged on my wrist, but Cyprus wouldn’t let go. “Are you threatening me?”
Cyprus met my eyes with a cold, sinister stare. “Now, Tinsley, what kind of man do you think I am?”
I trembled on the inside.
“A cold-blooded killer.” I glared back.
Cyprus Morgan laughed right in my face. An evil grin stretched out widely across his face. He was a madman. A crazed old lunatic out of his damn mind, until he cut the amusement short.
