by M. Malone
“We need to leave soon so we aren’t late to the airport.” He nodded politely at Evan.
“The airport?” Evan glanced over at me with his eyebrows raised.
“Priya is coming to visit. We’re going to have such a good time. I’ll bring her by your office to say hello sometime while she’s here.”
He grinned. “Yeah, definitely do that. I haven’t seen her crazy ass in a long time.”
“Evan?”
He paused and turned back around.
“Thanks for your help tonight. It was nice to just hang out. We should do it more often. I meant it when I said I wished we were closer. One day, when Mom and Dad are gone, you’re going to be my only family.”
A strange look passed over his face, and he stared at me for a long time. Finally, he nodded. “Yeah. We’re family.”
Then he was gone.
Before I could dissect my brother’s odd behavior, Oskar appeared in the doorway again. “Ready to go?”
For a moment, I wanted to confide in him. I wished I could tell him all about my day, my fight with my dad, and my rare moment of connection with my brother. But then I remembered everything that had happened between us and that I was kind of still angry with him.
I nodded and then grabbed my bag. “Yes. I don’t want to keep Priya waiting. If you think I’m a firecracker when I get worked up, just wait. You haven’t seen anything yet.”
16
Oskar
The ride to the airport was quiet. Too quiet.
My fingers clenched around the steering wheel. I was determined not to say anything and to let Hailey work through things on her own. She had the right to be a little pissed. Hell, I was too, and talking had never seemed to get us very far.
Usually it just got us to the nearest bed.
But I couldn’t pretend her silent treatment didn’t hurt. Hailey had finally started to open up to me again, and I’d come to cherish those moments at the end of the day when we’d unwind together. Anyone looking in might think that we were just a case of mega-lust exploding again after years apart, but they didn’t know how my restlessness calmed as soon as I saw her. They didn’t know how happy it made me just to see her smile or laugh. She’d become my touchstone at the end of the day, the thing that made me feel like I was at home.
Now I was cut off again, and I wasn’t used to being out in the cold.
Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. Even if it got me cussed out, I’d rather that instead of riding in torturous silence for the entire car trip.
“So, tell me about Priya. She’s your best friend?”
Hailey shrugged. “We’ve known each other a long time.”
When she didn’t volunteer anything else, I forced my attention back to the road. We’d left after work to pick up her friend from the airport but there was still traffic. There was always traffic in New York, but this was worse than I’d expected. I had a vision of us being stuck and me letting her down once again. It was a surprise how much the thought of that hurt.
Hailey and I were like two ships that kept crashing into each other. Fate seemed to have an absurd sense of humor. Either that or someone upstairs was having a lot of fun pranking us. But no matter what, the truth was we were being thrown together for a reason. She was a part of my past I’d mistakenly assumed was over, but clearly there was more in store for the two of us. We were both adults and should be able to figure this thing out instead of ignoring it.
“Look, I know the marriage thing took us both by surprise, but a divorce will be easy considering the circumstances.”
Hailey swiveled in her seat, her eyes filled with murder. No, seriously, if murder was an expression, it was all over her face.
“Easy?” Even though she didn’t raise her voice, the tone easily conveyed a quiet but deadly message.
“Uh, yeah. I mean, it’s just paperwork, really.”
Man. I’d thought she looked homicidal before, but her expression right then made me want to pull the car over and get out for my own safety. That was the problem with women. Even when you thought you were making logical sense, they could still find a reason to want to tie your balls in a knot.
“Divorce is not a joke to me. I know you don’t respect marriage, but I do.” Hailey turned around in her seat to face out the window, completely freezing me out.
Whoa. She wasn’t just pissed about the inconvenience of discovering an unknown legal hassle. I realized in that moment that I’d read her completely wrong. This wasn’t even about the embarrassment of finding out just how drunk and stupid we’d been that weekend. For Hailey, this was something more. Something sacred. And I’d treated it like a joke.
“It wasn’t my intention to make light of the situation. Or to be flippant. I hate seeing you so upset, so I thought going straight to a solution would help. I just want to see you smile again.”
Being so caught off guard, I found myself admitting things I never would have otherwise. Hell, I didn’t even know if I’d admitted that to myself yet. But it was the truth.
My world was pretty simple at this point. If Hailey was happy, then so was I. But if she wasn’t, God help us all.
Hailey pinched the bridge of her nose. “I know you didn’t mean it. We just have different ideas about what constitutes a solution here. Because the word divorce isn’t ever going to make me smile.”
We’d reached the exit for the airport, and I had to take a hard right to make it. The next few minutes were occupied with finding the right gate and then maneuvering for a parking space in the loading area.
“We’re right on time,” Hailey remarked. “Thanks for driving me. I didn’t want her to have to take a cab.”
“Of course.” Even though I responded automatically, I realized how true it was. I was happy to do things for Hailey because she always made me feel appreciated. Even when we were fighting, it was obvious that she just wanted us both to be okay and have what we needed. She didn’t take any crap and expected the best from me. It was a totally new experience to have a woman expect things from me that made me a better person. Hailey didn’t need me to buy her anything. She needed me to be a good person that she could rely on. It was a huge eye-opener and also a privilege. She was exactly the kind of woman any man would be lucky to call his wife.
And you are that lucky man.
It was a sobering thought.
Hailey got out of the car and before I could follow, I heard a chorus of shrieking. What the hell? I threw open the door, one hand going instinctively to my holstered weapon. But it wasn’t a threat. Instead it was two huge clouds of dark, curly hair bouncing around together as they hugged and screamed. I wasn’t sure how they managed to make that much noise while holding on to each other, but my eardrums could testify that it was happening.
“Let’s continue this reunion in the car. I don’t like you being exposed like this.”
At my words, the two broke apart and both women turned to glare at me. Priya was petite with long, dark hair and skin a few shades lighter than Hailey’s, hinting at possible Indian ancestry. Her dark eyes locked on me with interest.
“Damn girl, you didn’t lie. Big, bossy Viking has spoken.”
Unsure of how to respond to that, I finally just leaned down and grabbed her suitcase that had been knocked over in all the commotion.
“Oskar, this is my best friend Priya. Priya, this is Oskar. He’s my bodyguard and a huge pain in the ass.”
Priya smirked. “A pain in the ass, huh? Well, sometimes pain can be pleasure. Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too, Priya. Now, let’s go.”
She pursed her lips before opening the back door. “I don’t normally take direction well, but I’ll make an exception. I have a feeling this weekend will be worth it.”
Hailey
Riding back to the penthouse, it was a miracle that Priya didn’t bore a hole in the back of my head before we got there. I could almost feel the questions bubbling up in her mind. I would be lucky if I could get he
r behind a closed door and away from Oskar’s ears before she let loose.
Wait until she found out where we were staying.
“So, we’re not going to my place. I’m staying somewhere else temporarily for security reasons.” I turned around to see Priya grinning at the back of Oskar’s head.
“Uh-huh.” She raised her eyebrows and then glanced at him again. “Security reasons, huh?”
“Yeah. I’ll explain later.”
I whipped around before she could ask any other questions. But she was quiet until we turned into the underground garage at Blake Security. When Oskar got out of the car to get the luggage, Priya grabbed the back of my seat as soon as his door closed.
“You have a lot of explaining to do. Where are we? It looks like some underground bunker in the movies.”
We both got quiet when Oskar opened her door and then mine. As we walked behind him, I knew she wasn’t missing how alert Oskar was, his eyes constantly moving around the garage. When he put his hand on the palm scanner to activate the elevator, Priya elbowed me in the ribs.
“Lot of explaining to do,” she whispered.
When the elevator doors opened, we stepped out into the lobby. Priya nodded approvingly. “Nice place.”
Oskar checked his phone. “Guest room five is open. Come on. I’ll show you where it is.”
We followed him past the kitchen and down the hallway that led to the extra bedrooms. Each door was had a different ornate decal, something I hadn’t noticed before.
Probably too busy ogling a certain hunky Viking.
“This is where I’m staying.” I pointed at number the door next to hers. “I’m so glad you’re here. It feels like it’s been forever.”
“Yes, it does. And clearly we have a lot to catch up on.” Priya turned to look at Oskar meaningfully.
I blushed. Yeah, she definitely wasn’t going to let me slide at all.
Oskar shifted from foot to foot. “Uh, can we talk for a second?”
It was rare to see him caught off guard, but I could tell our earlier conversation in the car had him on edge. I was, too. The whole thing was crazy, and his reaction had upset me a lot more than I’d let on. Divorce was common now, so it wouldn’t be a big deal to a lot of people, but in my family it would be a scandal. My parents would not only be disappointed but also hurt. They’d dreamed about giving me away in a big, white wedding and I felt sure hearing the news that I was getting a divorce before they even knew I was married wouldn’t be easy.
Not any easier than it was for me to digest.
“This really isn’t the best time. Maybe later after I’ve had a chance to get Priya settled in?”
But of course, my bestie being who she was couldn’t wait to throw me under the bus.
“Oh, I don’t need settling. Actually, I’m kind of tired.” Priya gave an exaggerated yawn.
I crossed my arms. This was coming from the same woman who drank Red Bull for breakfast and had more energy than ten Chihuahuas combined.
“Tired, huh?”
Priya wouldn’t meet my eyes, but there was no disguising the smile tugging at the edges of her lips. “Yes, so tired. I’ll probably take a nap. A nice, long nap. So you know, you don’t have to worry about me knocking on your door and interrupting anything.”
Oskar snorted, and I narrowed my eyes at him. “There will be nothing to interrupt. At least let me show you to your room.”
But Priya was already moving in that direction. At the last second, she doubled back and grabbed the handle of her other suitcase. “See, I’ve got it. You don’t have to walk me down all the way. I’ll just go have a quick shower and then take my nap. We can hang out later. Much later.”
I sighed. Clearly I wasn’t going to get out of this conversation with Oskar. Priya surely thought she was helping by making herself scarce, and there was no way I could tell her that I really didn’t want to be alone with him right then without admitting that I was nervous in front of the man himself. There was no way I was giving him that kind of ammunition. It was hard enough to keep my wits about me without flat out telling him that he made it hard to concentrate.
“Okay. Just come get me when you’re done.”
Priya didn’t respond other than an absent wave as she set off down the hall, finally stopping at the room on the end. She opened the door and then skidded to a halt. “Whoa!”
Her duffel bag thudded to the ground at her feet.
I jogged down the hall, vaguely aware of Oskar right on my heels. When I stopped right behind Priya, I immediately put a hand in front of my eyes. But it was a little late to block the image of a completely naked Tyse standing in the middle of the room.
“Damn, this place is full-service. I didn't know my room came with man candy on the pillow.” Priya let loose a sharp wolf whistle.
Oskar’s growl behind me would have been annoying, but as soon as I opened my eyes and saw Tyse inching around the bed trying to cover the family jewels with a way-too-small throw pillow, I lost it, laughing hysterically.
“Sorry, Tyse. I guess we got the wrong room.”
Priya resisted my efforts to tug her backward so I could close the door.
“No, I think this is the right room,” she said, raising her eyebrows at Tyse.
17
Hailey
The next evening, I knew my reprieve was almost up. After a quick scramble to find Priya another room, Oskar had gotten called into a meeting. By the annoyed look on his face I could tell he hadn’t wanted to leave, but between his work and my guest, the universe had given me a get out of jail free card for the rest of the evening.
I’d spent an enjoyable day with Priya, visiting MOMA and then one of my favorite Indian restaurants. Tyse and Dylan had been with us the whole time, but we’d easily ignored them and just enjoyed being able to hang out again. Once we’d gotten back to the penthouse, Priya had gone to make some calls, so I took the opportunity to change into more comfortable clothes and check my emails. Anything to avoid thinking about the conversation I wasn’t ready to have.
But it was time for dinner and I couldn’t hide in my room any longer.
As soon as I opened the door, Priya appeared at the other end of the hallway.
“Finally!” she exclaimed. “I’ve been waiting for you. Did you have it out with big, blond, and bossy yet?”
“Not yet.”
“I’m sure it won’t be long if the way he was looking at you is any indication. What’s up with you two? He’s so intense, like he’d take a bullet for you or something.”
“Well, he would. But that’s his job.”
Priya raised one perfectly arched eyebrow. “Is it his job to stare at your ass, too?”
“Things are so complicated. I don’t even know where to start.” The words were burning a hole through my tongue. Oskar hadn’t said anything about keeping our marriage under wraps, and I was in dire need of some advice just then.
“It turns out we did more than just get drunk in Vegas. Apparently, we also visited one of those tacky wedding chapels.”
We were coming to the end of the hallway, and my words made Priya stumble into the wall. She turned around to glare at me. “Are you freaking kidding me?”
Her voice was loud enough to have everyone else in the room looking over at us.
“Whoa, ladies. Is everything all right?”
Tyse’s deep voice cut between us. It took a minute before I could get myself together enough to answer.
“Just fine. Thanks.”
He asked the question of both of us, but his eyes were still on Priya. She accepted his outstretched hand as we walked into the kitchen where Lucia and JJ were peering into a large pot.
“What are you guys making?” I asked before sending Priya a warning glance. I knew she was dying right then with a million questions, but those would have to wait. I didn’t want the whole house in our business. Especially since he seemed so excited about the possibility of divorcing before anyone found out.
; I ignored the wave of hurt the thought brought back. He wasn’t the marrying type, and it shouldn’t be a surprise that he wasn’t chomping at the bit to play house with a woman he hadn’t seen in years. Despite our insane sexual chemistry, we were only together now due to a strange twist of circumstances not because he’d missed me or had sought me out. I had come to terms with his disappearance from my life back then and certainly hadn’t been pining for him since.
Random dreams about that weekend didn’t count.
“So how long are you staying, Priya?” Tyse asked after pulling out one of the barstools at the granite counter for her to sit. “Once Hailey goes back to work, do you need a tour guide?”
Tyse was watching her so closely that even I shivered from the intensity. As usual, Priya spoke her thoughts aloud for everyone to hear.
She leaned toward Tyse. “With the way you’re staring at me, I guess that means you’re volunteering to help me with all of my needs?”
Oskar appeared out of nowhere and shoved Tyse aside. “Don’t worry Priya. Our guests aren’t on the menu.”
“Speak for yourself,” Tyse muttered.
Oskar scowled. “Stop looking at her like you’re hunting. I know how you assassin types are.”
“Assassin types?” Priya glanced over at me. I shrugged.
Tyse smirked, but Oskar looked a little uncomfortable. “Just an inside joke,” he reassured her.
But something about the harsh set of his jaw told me there was way more to the story than that.
“I need friends like that,” Priya commented. “If y’all are taking people out, I have a few candidates I can add to the list.”
Tyse stopped laughing. “Boyfriend bothering you?”
Priya scoffed. “I don’t keep them long enough to call them boyfriends.”
“Well, if they don’t know how to behave all I need is a name.”
Geez, what was it with these guys? They could go from frat boy to killer in the blink of an eye.