Page 42 of Patch's Bride
“We’ll see. You’ve embarrassed me. Thank goodness he’s a patient man. I want the first words out of your mouth when we meet him to be an apology.”
“Fine,” I say. “I’ll do whatever you want as long as we drop Lila off first.”
“Of course,” he says. “What kind of monster do you think I am?”
The kind who taught me to lie by example, I think in the back of my mind. I don’t say that, of course. But I sure think it.
“Thank you. Help me get her up.”
He picks her up and carries her upstairs. I follow close behind, worried he might drop her.
As we walk out the back door, I tell him, “We need to call the care home and let them know we’re bringing her back.”
“Already done,” he states pleasantly.
This tells me he didn’t really want Lila. He just wanted to use her to get me to come back so he could force me into an unwanted situation with this associate of his. He didn’t make any provisions for her healthcare needs because he wasn’t planning to keep her, even overnight. The plan all along was to treat this like a day trip. I’m equal parts relieved and annoyed that he pretended this was permanent and let her spiral all day. That was cruel and unnecessary.
When we get to the car, I take over, carefully easing her into the back seat and buckling her in while saying reassuring things.
Then I climb into the other side and scoot over so I can hold her hand. Before we’re a full three blocks away, her head begins to loll on my shoulder. This has clearly been an exhausting day for her.
“Care home first, like we agreed,” I say curtly, by way of a reminder.
“Care home,” he echoes, glancing into the rearview mirror with a smug expression on his face. He can have his moment for all I care. As long as Lila gets home, that’s all I care about. Once she’s back safely I’m going to see if I can get a message to Patch.
My stepfather eases out onto the interstate. I try to keep track of what’s going on with Lila because I’ve never taken care of her before and I’m not quite sure if I fully understand her needs. When he passes the exit for her care home, I speak up, “You missed the turnoff.”
“No,” he insists. “I didn’t.”
“What are you doing? This isn’t what we agreed on.” My heart’s racing as I realize he was never going to do what he said.
He gives me a smile that sends chills up my spine. “There’s been a change of plans. I want to make sure you cooperate anddeliver that nice apology you promised. Once I’m sure of your compliance, I’ll take Lila back myself.”
“I don’t trust you to do right by her,” I tell him, not pulling any punches.
“It’s unfortunate. But Beth, ask yourself this. Why would I want to keep Lila at my house if you’re not there to take care of her? Right now, the trust her father set up for her pays for everything she needs. If she lives with me, the trust goes dormant, and I have to pay for her care. Trust me, I’m taking her back just as soon as I get you settled with Vincent.”
I have to grudgingly admit that he’s making a lot of sense. I can’t see him risking the judge’s ire by trying to keep her. Right now, he can probably play it off as some kind of misunderstanding. He wanted to take her on a day trip, and they thought he was signing her out for good.
***
The house we pull up to is huge, modern, and classy. The gate opens automatically when we approach. The driveway curves around a lovely fountain. Three black SUVs breathe quietly alongside a sleek sports car. I know all the way down to my bones that Vincent has a house full of employees that waits on him hand and foot.
The front door opens before we get to it. The man who opens it is wearing a nice suit. I’d half expecting it to be one of the Grave Diggers. I don’t know if this is Vincent, or one of his lackeys. He ushers us into the house. I’ve got one arm around Lila, and she’s awake and walking under her own power at least.
A handsome older man approaches wearing a suit that costs more than my car. He’s the one in the pictures hanging on the wall of the foyer we passed through. There are images of him smiling at charity luncheons, ribbon cuttings, and groupboardroom shots. There is even one of him shaking a former president’s hand.
“Welcome,” he says politely.
My stepfather is suddenly solicitous. “Vincent, thank you for your patience,” he says. “Beth is here and has something she wants to say.”
When Vincent’s eyes land on me, I step forward and deliver that apology we talked about. “I want to apologize for making you wait. You’re clearly a busy man. I’ll be sure not to waste your time in the future.”
His eyes light up. “You’re clearly naturally submissive by nature. What an exquisite treat.”
I shoot my stepfather a glance and find him smiling away like that comment is the most normal thing in the entire world.
His hand comes out to land on Lila’s shoulder. “And I brought you a nice bonus to compensate you for your wait.”
