If he were crazy, he wouldn’t have the sense to see the visions. Only the chosen ones had those powers. His latest vision had thrown him off a bit though because he had been plotting and planning how to get back at all of the wrongdoers, starting with Hartman and his whore. Scott stepped back, admiring his handiwork, which was beautifully displayed before him. He had collected dozens upon dozens of photographs of his intended targets, and each day, he paid careful attention to how they were all arranged on the wall. He liked to arrange and rearrange them because God had informed him that this was his riddle to solve.
Of course, he’d taken all of the pictures while he was waiting and watching, save for a few newspaper clippings about the “incident” and the upcoming trial. He also had everything meticulously written down in his journal. His grand plan had been to poison that bastard and his filthy whore, using those same meds the docs tried to get him to take. He had enough stocked up, enough to certainly do the trick, but then God and his angels played a trick on him and sent him a new vision. They always did like to keep him on his toes. It helped his genius. Anyway, this latest vision was crystal clear. He had to find red flannel blanket. He didn’t have one of those, but according to the vision, it had to be that way. Then he had to find a hill in the woods. At the bottom of the hill in the woods, that’s where he would look down and see Addison’s body lumped up in the blanket with only her perfect bloody face showing. She’d have a slight smile on her face, which you could still see despite the mess that was now her face, because even in death she would understand that Scott was one of the chosen ones, an angel like the others, and that he was only carrying out God’s will.
Nine
Dear William,
Have you ever met someone out of the blue one day and suddenly your whole body, every vibrating cell of your being knows that you’re supposed to fall in love with the person standing before you?
Your brain tells you differently, so instead of falling into it, you try and ignore your heart’s longing, that quiet nagging, the urging that’s telling you to go for it. Instead, you listen to the loud wise voice you know to be right in your head. At first, it whispers subtly, “Don’t fall in love with this person. He can’t love you the way you need to be loved. Neither of you are in a place where any of this makes sense.” Then it becomes louder and louder, and all at once—as if trying to drown out the beat of your ever-racing heart as you stare into the eyes of your lover— it screams at you, “Do not fall in love with this person; it will ruin you.” But the trouble is the screams can’t or won’t or simply don’t drown out what the heart knows to be true. You’ve already fallen, and there’s just no turning back.
Looking back, you realize it happened the second your eyes met his. The truth of the matter is what’s done is done. Now, all there is left to do is to hang on and enjoy the ride, even if you know it’ll lead to your inevitable ruin. “Hang on,” your heart says. And so you will. Because deep down, you know there’s simply no other choice to be made.
I love you, William. This is me telling you that, in my own way, in the only way I really know how.
I’m sorry about yesterday. But there are boundaries we each have set in place for various reasons, and we both need to learn what those boundaries are. Here’s hoping there’s a better and, more importantly, more fun way to work out the kinks. ;)
Love,
Addison
Addie settled back into her chair and read what she’d written and then reread it over again. There was so much she wanted to say; she just hoped the letter would convey all of it. She sealed the envelope, dialed the courier with instructions for pickup and delivery, and rushed out to her Monday morning meeting with Jess, who she hoped would make it all better.
Jessica was nervous, not knowing what to expect. She’d only received a few hurried texts from Addison over the weekend, and quite frankly, she was worried about her friend. Sipping her coffee, she took in the hustle and bustle of the coffee shop. There were so many people, so many stories. She took out her pen and notepad and jotted a few things down just as Addie plopped herself in her chair. Jess looked up, confused. “No coffee today?”
Addie looked tired. “I already had some. If I have any more, I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to fly my ass out of here.”
Jessica smiled and stuffed her pen and notepad back in her bag. “So how’d everything go with the move?”
“Oh, you know it’s all right. The new place is great, and we’re still getting settled, but the boys seem okay. I’m having one of those play therapists come over this afternoon and spend some time getting to know them. She came highly recommended, and I don’t know . . . Maybe it’s all a little unnecessary, but I just want to make sure they’re really okay, that they’re adjusting. It’s all just so much. I know that. And I feel terrible about everything.”
Jessica squeezed Addie’s arm. “Are you all right, sweetie? I’m really worried about you. After I got your text about the crazy-guy incident, I’ve been so worried.”
Addie stared out the window for a while without speaking. “I feel like I can’t talk to anyone about this Jessica, as though somehow if I say it out loud it’ll all be true.”
“What will be true, Addison?”
“He’s watching me. I know that. I just feel it if that makes sense. Part of me thinks he’s just trying to scare me, to intimidate me before the trial. But the other part of me worries that maybe he’s up to more than that.”
“Listen to me, Addison. You need to go to the police. This is serious. The guy has called you, and now you think he’s following you. You just don’t mess around in a situation like this, not after, well, especially not after what happened before.”
Addie raised her voice. “I have.” She looked around and then calmed herself a little before continuing. “I have gone to the police, Jess. All they do is take my statement and tell me they’ll look into it. I don’t know what else to do.”
“What do the security people say? Do you have any idea why they wouldn’t have seen him if Connor did?”
Addie sighed and threw up her hands. “That’s the thing. If he were really there, they should’ve seen him. So who knows? Maybe he’s not really following me. I don’t even know what to think anymore.”
“And Patrick? How’d he take it when he got home?”
“The way you’d probably imagine. He’s pissed. He called, threatening me with all kinds of legal action. He’s picking the boys up from school tomorrow, and then we’re meeting to talk after I get off work.”
“That doesn’t sound too bad.” Jess laughed a little and then straightened. “So tell me about the other night with lover boy.”
Addie bit her lip and blushed. “What’s there to tell?”
“Oh come on! This is the first time I’ve seen you perk up in weeks.”
“It was . . . It was, well, how it always it is—indescribable.” Addie smirked.
Jess frowned and then pulled out her phone.
Addie studied her face for a second and then spoke slowly. “I know, Jess. I know what I’m doing is wrong. And I know that you don’t agree with it. I could lie and say I can’t help myself, but we both know that isn’t true. I’m sorry I let you down. I just don’t understand why you’d ask if you’re just going to make me feel worse about myself. I already feel like shit. Can’t you see that?”
Jess inhaled sharply. “Oh, honey, I’m not trying to make you feel bad. Really, I’m not. I just want to know if you’ve fully thought through what it is you’re doing. I love you dearly, and I just want to make sure you’re ready for what it is you’re thrusting yourself into. I mean . . . You know men like William Hartman. They’re not exactly pillars of success when it comes to relationships and settling down.”
Addie crossed her arms. “I get what you’re saying, Jess, and I appreciate your concern, but I love him.”
Jessica leaned in close and reached for Addie’s hand, catching her off guard a little. “That’s what I was afraid you were g
oing to say and also why it kills me to have to show you this, but Addison, please, wake up. You want to divorce Patrick? Fine, I support you. But please, honey, really give this thing you’re getting yourself into some thought. I just want to be sure you’re ready for it.
Addie took the phone from Jess and hesitantly read what was on the screen.
WILLIAM HARTMAN, ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST ELIGIBLE BACHELORS, ATTENDS GALA WITH MYSTERY REDHEAD. SAID TO FINALLY BE READY TO SETTLE DOWN.
Addie handed Jess the phone back, stood, kissed her on the cheek, and walked out the door without another word.
Addie decided she needed fresh air and left her car in the parking garage near the coffee shop. It was a cold dreary day, especially for a place like Austin, Texas. She hadn’t considered the temperature when she took off, but the cold practically forced her to speed walk the few blocks it took her to get to her office. In heels, no less.
Addie’s mind raced. Damn it. How could she have been so stupid? All she knew was that she had to stop the letter from getting to William. Seeing him in the latest gossip rag smiling smugly with some busty redhead draped over him literally made her sick. She’d be damned if she were going to let him make a fool of her. And that’s exactly what she was: a damned fool. For so many things really. For not only believing that a man like William Hartman could love her but also for believing that he could be anything other than what he was.
Addie dialed Carl and asked him to call William’s guys and intercept the letter. He assured her he’d do what he could only to call her back a few minutes later, his voice solemn. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Greyer. Mr. Hartman has the letter in his possession. He’s also asked to see you and wants me to set something up with you.”
“You tell Mr. Hartman I said that he can go fuck himself. Tell him I’m done.”
When Patrick arrived home to an unexpectedly mostly empty house, he’d been too overwhelmed by everything that happened over the weekend to really do much about it. Had he not just been forced to swallow the news he had, he likely would’ve rushed over to wherever his wife was and demanded that she come home. But now, he wasn’t sure what it was that he should do. He’d dug himself in deep by knocking Michele up; that much was certain.
He needed to talk to his wife. He needed her to make this better the way she usually did, so Patrick cancelled his morning and headed to Addie’s office with a plan.
How stupid of him that before now he’d never stepped foot in his wife’s office building. He was so wrapped up in his own world that he hadn’t given a crap about what was going on in hers. Patrick knew he’d made mistakes, but he didn’t see how things could have gotten this out of hand. After sitting in the waiting room for what seemed like forever, a receptionist ushered him back to his wife’s office.
He entered the spacious office to find Addison on the phone. He sat watching her as she wrapped up the call. The woman in front of him seemed nothing at all like the Addie he knew. She looked all grown-up here in this fancy office, using fancy words, in her fancy dress. Patrick wondered how he’d missed this much.
Addie placed the phone in the cradle and eyed Patrick suspiciously. “What are you doing here?”
Patrick looked around the office anxiously. “This is impressive, almost as big as mine.”
“I assume you didn’t come to check out my office, Patrick.”
Patrick cleared his throat. “How did we let it get this far, Addie? I know I’ve made a lot of mistakes. Trust me. I know that. But we don’t even talk anymore. And then you up and move out, just like that? Perhaps I deserve this. I don’t know. I just don’t want everything that we’ve worked for to end this way.”
Addie leaned back in her chair and brushed the tears from her eyes. This was just too much: his showing up here, now, like this. She’d already had a shitty morning, and this just sent her over the edge. “I don’t need this right now, Patrick.”
Patrick stood and walked over to her, perching himself on the edge of her desk. “Come away with me this weekend, Addie, the way we talked about. We can stay in separate rooms, whatever you want. Please? We’ll talk everything over. It’s pretty obvious you want a divorce. Okay, but let’s not end on this note.”
Addie traced her eyelids, clearing the tears. “I can’t. We’ll discuss everything tomorrow night, okay? But now, please, I need to get back to work.” The door burst open, cutting her off. “Addison,” William’s deep voice called.
Patrick stood. “Well, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised to see him showing up now, should I? Is that what this is all about, Addison? Is this asshole in the picture again? Because hopefully, I’m not mistaken, but I thought you were through with this piece of shit.”
William lunged towards Patrick as Addie swiftly stepped between the two of them, placing her hand on their chests. She looked back and forth between the two of them and then stopped at William’s gaze. “I am.” Addie sighed. “Now if you’ll both excuse me, I really do have work to do.”
“All right, I’ll leave you to it.” Patrick frowned, walked towards the door, and stopped. “But, please, give my request some thought.”
“I have and I’ll come. Addie replied, so softly Patrick wasn’t sure he’d heard her correctly.
William sat down in Addie’s chair and propped his feet on her desk. “So you wanna explain what that was all about?”
Addie walked over to William and shoved his feet off her desk. She crossed her arms and hovered over him. “Get out, William.”
William chuckled and put his feet back in place on the desk. “Last time I checked, my name is on the title of this building, and I’m not going anywhere.”
Addie squeezed her temples and walked to the window.
“I said I needed to talk to you.”
“And I said to go fuck yourself.”
William lowered his voice as he made his way over to the window. “Why are so you angry, Mrs. Greyer? Your letter didn’t seem so angry, so tell me what changed?”
“Fuck you, William,” Addie spat as she tried to back away. Her attempts proved futile as William pinned her in position against the glass effortlessly. Addie pushed back against him again, harder this time, but it was of no use. His hard body easily held hers in place. She winced as she felt all of him press into her.
“I asked you a question, Addison. Why are you so angry?”
“I’m not angry. I’m done. There’s a difference.” Addie groaned.
William pushed her further into the glass. “Is there? Because your body says otherwise.”
Addie rammed her elbow into his ribs, gut-checking him the way that she’d been taught. Addie knocked the wind out of him but didn’t knock him to the ground as she’d hoped. “Hmmm. I beg to differ.” She called over her shoulder as she took a seat at her desk and looked through her email.
“God damn it, Addison.” William choked out as he attempted to catch his breath. “I think we both know what this little episode of yours is about.”
Addie snorted. “Oh, please. So . . . I assume you’re here to enlighten me.”
William walked to the desk and placed both palms on it, towering over her, and looked her straight in the eye. “You saw that BS from the gala and you’re jealous.”
“Is that all you’ve got, Mr. Hartman? Because if so, I’d appreciate it if you’d get out and let me get back to work.”
William reached over and tucked a loose strand of hair behind Addie’s ear, causing her to flinch. “Nope, you have no idea how much more I’ve got, baby.”
Addie rolled her eyes and buzzed Sondra, requesting she come to her office ASAP. William smiled wryly and raised his eyebrows. “Smart girl.” William turned to go and but stopped. “Addison, you know you’re lucky I don’t just take you right here on this desk. You like to pretend, but I think we both know that you want it just as much as I do. Play hard to get all you want, but just so I’m making myself clear, this is far from done.”
Addie deadpanned. “Two things, Mr. Hartman. One: You’re
wrong; I’m not the jealous type. I like to think of myself as more of the get-even kind. And two: Don’t ever fucking call me baby, again, got it?”
William stood at the door, unable to wipe the smile off his face as Sondra looked from Addison to William and back again with a hint of annoyance.
Damn that girl was good for him.
Ten
William made it to the elevator and stepped in just as Sondra rounded the corner and stuck her hand through the closing doors.
Sondra looked him up and down. “You mind if I ride up with you?
“It doesn’t appear as though I have a choice,” William chided.
“I saw you at the gala with the redhead. Everyone saw you, William. What exactly are you thinking? Because I just don’t get it?”
William turned to face Sondra. “Remind me how any of this is your business.”
“Remind me how it isn’t. You asked for my help. I helped you, and then you go and fuck it all up. What in the hell is wrong with you? She’s just a girl in love, William, and a naive one at that. She’s not used to this lifestyle, your lifestyle. You can have anything when and where you want it. You say jump and people ask how high. Sometimes, I think you forget it isn’t like that for everyone else. You know you’re going hurt her in the end, don’t you? My question is why? Better yet, please fucking explain to me why you talked me into being a part of this? Because what you’re doing here is a disaster waiting to happen. You know it, I know it, and I sure as hell hope she knows it.”
Breaking Bedrock (Book Two) Page 7