“Mrs. Vitale! Ah, yes…he’s in but he’s um…”
As the secretary blubbered on, Keyonna became suspicious. She’d only ever shown up at Nick’s office twice; both times on his invitation to meet for lunch. Those visits had been planned – this was not. But what could be making Brenda’s face flush so deeply?
Without another word, Keyonna walked to the door of Nick’s office, ignoring the secretary’s, “Mrs. Vitale, please…”
Inside, Nick was trying to get Lena to leave. He was done talking.
“Get out,” he said in a quietly menacing voice. “Get the hell out of here; out of my life. You’ve had your fun.”
Lena’s eyes sparked defiance. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily.” And then her expression softened to genuine hurt. “We’re family, Nick. And we’re supposed to stick together. I’m sorry if I caused you pain. I’m willing to make it up to you. Anything you want.”#p#分页标题#e#
She moved closer to him, resting her hands on his suited shoulders.
Nick had reached beyond the limits of his self-control. At that moment he could gladly wring Len’s neck, but instead settled for grabbing hold of her arms. Fuck security. He was looking forward to throwing her out himself.
“Nick,” Lena said, aghast. He could tell she was surprised by his uncharacteristic lack of cool. He’d never, ever laid hands on a woman the way he wanted to do to Lena right then. She’d manipulated his life far too long. He could feel her fingers clutch tightly to his lapels, as if intent to forestall the embarrassment of being flung out of his office. Too late, Nick fumed, readying to do just that.
Just then, the door sprang open.
Keyonna stood there, looking on the scene with widened eyes. Nick cursed beneath his breath as he met her shocked gaze. He could only imagine how this must look. Dios! Him and Lena, caught tightly in each other’s arms. Great, just great. Fate was intent on raining shit on him.
But before he could explain to the frozen Keyonna, she turned from them with a sob and stumbled quickly back, heading straight for the elevator.
Nick shoved the clinging Lena abruptly from him, and went right after Keyonna, who’d just sped past his wide-eyed secretary. Nick saw Keyonna enter the elevator doors which already started to close after her just as he reached them.
“Keyonna, wait!” Nick said, just as the twin doors slid to a close. On an oath, he made for the stairs, intent on one thing: getting her to listen to his explanation.
“Dammit, Keyonna, stop!” he said under his breath when, on reaching the ground floor parking lot, he saw her already driving off. There was no way he could go after her now, not with his own car in his private garage.
“Great!” he let out in frustration. He could just imagine what she must have concluded with him locked in another woman’s grip, but…
He stopped short as he recalled the expression on Keyonna’s face as she’d stood there.
Maybe he was just being fanciful…but it sure seemed as if she’d known. Remembered everything. Her eyes had held the look that said she’d seen this before.
The thought made him go crazy.
It was bad enough being caught in a compromising situation with another woman, but did Keyonna recognize Lena from the wedding reception? Was that it? Could that be the reason for the look of betrayal on her face, like he’d let her down somehow? Again?
Fuck! Nick smashed his fist into the nearby concrete wall, not even flinching at the pain. He would have to find her, he swore. And prayed it wasn’t too late to set the records straight.
The evening gloom had long settled by the time Keyonna pulled to a stop in front of their home.
Drawing deep breaths, she let herself in quietly. She knew Nick had to be in; she’d seen his car in the driveway. Her chest thumped as she moved towards his study, the only room which was lit in the whole dim, silent house.
The light flooding from the study’s open doorway fell on the darkened corridor as she advanced with noiseless steps.
She found Nick seated at his desk, head buried in his folded arms. The dejected picture he made cut her straight to the chest. He hadn’t noticed her presence, and she couldn’t stop the soft call that spilled from her lips in the hope of catching his attention before she came any closer.
“Nick…”
His head shot up at the sound of her voice and she drew in air at the pain mirrored in his eyes – soon replaced by one of relief at the sight of her.
“Keyonna…Dios. I was so worried you’d run off again,” he rasped, up on his feet and then closing the space between them before she could even blink. Keyonna was engulfed in his warm embrace as he squeezed her tight.