Page 79 of Dark, Forbidden, & Taboo

“Now what?” I ask him as I use my sleeve to clean my face.

“That’s up to you, Greer,” Eastin replies thoughtfully. “Dad has me in his will which means I’m safe. That’s why I asked you that question before but in the week I’ve watched you getting sicker and sicker by the day, I have a feeling that you’re not.”

I clear my throat as I get to my feet. Eastin immediately stands up and follows me into the living room. I sit on the edge of the couch and pick up the phone, jabbing in Holden’s phone number, placing a finger to my lips to keep his son quiet.

“Greer?” Holden sounds surprised and a little confused.

“Hey, baby,” I say into the phone. “How’s business?”

“Great. Closing some deals.”

“Yeah I can imagine that business is booming at half past two in the morning,” I say into the phone in a level tone. “Anyway, I was just calling to see how you were and when you’d be coming back home.”

“I’ll try to make it back before Tuesday, but I doubt that’ll happen,” he replies testily.

“That’s fine. I’m feeling a lot better so I’ll just make sure the house is nice and tidy for you when you get home. I love you,” I say into the phone.

Holden clears his throat as he mumbles anI love youback, then disconnects the call.

“Did he say it back?” Eastin asks curiously.

“Barely,” I reply as I replace the phone into the receiver.

He shakes his head, “Do you really love him?”

“Once upon a time,” I reply quietly.

“So what now?” he asks, scratching the back of his head.

I glance over at the time on the entertainment center.

Nine days, two hours, forty-two minutes, and a sum of seconds have passed. Most of it has been in an illness inducedblur, but now that I can see much clearer than before, time is slowly starting to lose its meaning and grip on me.

“We wait until Tuesday.”

Chapter

Ten

The morning that Holden is due back home, I’m in much better spirits. Eastin has been a big help with getting the house ready and taking care me as well.

“Don’t be a chick. You’re all so prone to stabbing and shit—give him a taste of his own medicine. If he’s gotten away with this for so long, so can you.”

I’ve made a huge brunch to welcome him back. I imagine with all of the women that he’s been fucking since he’s been gone on his “business trip” he’ll be more than happy to dive into a homecooked meal. And he’ll need his energy too since I want a good fight.

For the menu, Eastin helped me make curry-avocado crispy egg toast, twice-baked citrus and almond brioche, a favorite of Holden’s, and glazed berry breakfast tarts.

We also made a pitcher of mimosas and when we were done, we spent the rest of the morning relaxing in the living room.

A car door opens and closes outside causing Eastin to scramble to his feet and run for his bedroom. Once he slams the door shut, I get to my feet and walk to the front door of the house, a smile on my face and presenting myself as the dutiful wife who missed her husband and is happier than hell to have him home.

I pull the door open just as Holden approaches it and turn up the brightness on my smile. He grins down at me in return and I move up to the tips of my toes, wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing him gently on the lips.

“I missed you,” I tell him softly.

Holden places a hand on the side of my face, kisses me, then pulls away, “I missed you too, Greer. It’s good to be home with you.”

I reach for his bag and bring it into the house for him, squealing when he gives my ass a firm slap. He lets out a laugh because I know what he sees in me now is the young girl that he fell in love with, not the grown woman with vengeance in her heart.

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