To Love and to Cherish

by Gina Robinson

  "We're on the point of breakup. Because of you!" I pointed at her again and grabbed my phone from the nightstand where I'd left it. "And your damning email."

  "What are you talking about?" she said. "What email?"

  I brought it up and turned the phone around so she could read it.

  "'Hook him for life. His money is yours. Did you flush the pills like I said? Ha ha! Whatever you do from now on doesn't matter. You're set for life! Money, money, money!'" she read aloud. "Who wrote this crap? It sounds like a melodrama."

  "You did!" I pointed to the email header, thinking my life was a melodrama right at the moment. "It's from your email account."

  "If I wrote that, it would be much better. More elegant." Understanding dawned on her. "He saw it?"

  I nodded, too upset to speak.

  She whistled softly. "So not good. But at least we're getting to the meat of the issue." She took the phone and shook her head. "It's from my account, but I didn't send it." She handed the phone back to me.

  I made thin, angry eyes at her and bit back the tart, yet somehow salty, words on the tip of my tongue. I shook the phone at her. "Come on! No lies. Just admit to your screwup so we can make up and you can help me through this! This is like that time in junior high when you texted Corey and told him I was in love with him and then you denied doing it."

  She took a deep, huffy type of breath and sighed heavily. "This is nothing like that. That was true. And I was just trying to help. This email is vindictive."

  I shook the phone at her. "This message, this was the advice you gave me when we were first married!"

  "Yeah! Exactly. So why would I text it to you now, out of the blue? That's ridiculous. Almost a total non sequitur. There's no conversational flow to it." She shook her head. "I've been working with you on Justin's birthday surprise for weeks. I've known you were pregnant all that time. So why would I just now text you this bullshit?"

  I had no good answer, really. Because, actually, she made a good, logical point.

  She grabbed the phone from my hand, disarming me before I tossed it across the room again. Or at her.

  "Plus I'm not dumb enough to email something as damning and damaging to you when Justin could get hold of your phone and read it. Or hack into your email account and see it. The guy's a computer genius. I wouldn't trust anything as damning as this to any digital space in the world." She looked at the email again while I tried to grab the phone back.

  She held it out of my reach. "Hold on! Hold on a minute. Not only does this not sound like me, it's from my work email account." She held the phone out for me to take. "See for yourself."

  "What?" Blinded by rage again. She was right.

  "You know me well enough. I never send personal crap from my work email. Never. It's a recipe for getting fired. Especially if you're talking about the boss."

  I took a deep breath. The more she talked, the more out of character this whole event seemed for her.

  "Hmmm." She put a hand to her chin, thinking. "I didn't turn my work computer on until after lunch. Remember? I was meeting with you for part of the morning. And then I wasn't even at my desk all afternoon. I was in meetings." She looked at me significantly, like Sherlock Holmes putting the pieces of a mystery together, trying to identify the culprit.

  "Anyone could have stopped by my desk and sent this email," Britt said. "My computer isn't password protected once I log in."

  I was feeling sick again. "But who knows—"

  "Ophie!" we said at the same time.

  "Oh, crap!" I said. "The sneaky, eavesdropping bitch! She did hear us that day at lunch. We have to get this email off the server."

  Britt's eyes narrowed. She looked relieved that I finally believed her. And about ready to kill Ophie for attempting to murder our friendship and sabotage her career. "That dastardly marriage saboteur!"

  I went cold. "Jus brought my phone home to me today. At first I thought I must have accidentally left it at your desk this morning when I stopped by. But now I wonder…"

  "She probably pinched it! And sent that email when she knew Justin was on his way home to you, hoping he'd take it the wrong way." Britt clenched her hands. "He walked right into her trap. That's positively diabolical."

  "And right in on me when I was in an apparently compromising hug with Lazer." I explained the situation Jus had seen to Britt.

  "So he walked out on you," she said when I was finished. "Small wonder." She nodded. "And came back to the office upset. And you don't know where he is?"

  "No, I know. He's with Dex on his way to Reno." I almost blew it then and told her the rest of the story about them going after the ID thief. I stopped just in time.

  "Why Reno?" She looked puzzled.

  "It's a good cover story for a drinking binge. You know, Flash has a distribution center there. They can gamble and carouse and get drunk while saving face by claiming they're on business."

  Britt pursed her lips. "Okay, then. Let the boys play for a while. We have to stop Ophie from doing more damage." She paused. "And by the way—I think she has your dog. I saw her walking out of the office with her."

  Chapter Four

  Justin

  The texts started coming in even before we landed, a digital aerial assault. Well coordinated. Birthday wishes. Pictures from my party. Riggins leading the crowd in an awful, off-key rendition of "Happy Birthday."

  Riggins did a great job. It was everyone else that was the problem.

  Pictures of my over-the-top gold cake. How it could have been so ostentatious and yet so perfect and classy was beyond me. Kay had the knack. Video clips. Lazer with some auburn-haired beauty on his arm, the decoy date.

  If they thought I was going to believe that act…

  Kay announcing her pregnancy. My heart stopped beating for a second as I watched her speech. She was so damned hot. She faked her love for me so convincingly. And she was more conniving than I'd given her credit for. Everyone who mattered now knew about the baby. My mom got tears in her eyes.

  I balled my fist. Touché, Kay! Well played. She was ingratiating herself with everyone. If this kept up, I would be the bad guy. The douche who tossed his pregnant wife aside.

  I took a deep breath. Confessing to Dex had felt good. But now the effects of his pep talk had worn off. He didn't understand. I didn't just want Kay. I wanted her to love me. And she didn't. Despite my best efforts, she didn't.

  I'd made a mistake in trusting her. The love of money is the root of all evil. Her love of me would have been our salvation.

  I renewed my goal—get that imposter and make it impossible for her to damage either my reputation, or Flash's success. The second-quarter numbers would be announced soon. Bad press about my personal life would affect the stock valuation. I wasn't going to let this spook our investors or the market.

  I shut my phone off. Nice try, Kay.

  * * *

  Kayla

  The incident with Britt, and how easy it was for someone to frame her, and for me to get the wrong idea, taught me several lessons. One, never jump to conclusions. And two, give people who've proven themselves as loyal friends the benefit of the doubt. I was as guilty as Jus in assuming the worst of someone I loved who had been loyal to me. So, mistakes happen. Now I had to get my husband back. But first I had to get my puppy out of the clutches of the enemy.

  Justin's birthday was Friday night. On Saturday morning, I dressed for battle and drove to Ophie's condo in downtown Seattle. With Britt riding shotgun for moral support. I'll say this for Jus, Ophie lived in the heart of the city in a high-rise condo with a view, which meant he paid her well.

  The night before, Britt had related the entire scene she'd seen—Jus coming into the office carrying Data. Going into his. Calling Ophie in. Then coming out and handing Data over to Ophie. Her promise to take her to a dog sitter.

  "What makes you think she didn't?" I'd asked Britt.

  "The look on her face," Britt said. "She had no intention of parting with that dog.
" She'd paused. "I think using Data and winning her affection is the next step in her plan to get Justin for herself. She looked pretty smug, too. I was suspicious at the time, but I had nothing to back it up."

  Britt's emotional IQ hadn't failed yet. On Saturday morning, I caught a break. I woke up to a call from Magda, wanting to know why Ophie needed to know the number of the breeder Jus had bought Data from and what kind of dog food we fed her.

  Why, indeed? Britt had been right! Ophie had my puppy. I'd spent a long, lonely night with neither her nor Jus in my bed. Jus was out of reach right now, but I could get my dog back.

  I pulled into Ophie's parking garage and had the valet park my car. They recognized it as one of Justin's and I immediately got the respect of someone who looked capable of leaving a big tip. Or complaining loudly like a bitch.

  "What do we do now?" I said to Britt. "Doesn't she have to buzz us up?"

  Britt rolled her eyes and looked at me like I'd gone soft since living the good life. "Have you lost all common sense? We draft in behind the first person we can, pretending we've forgotten our keys." She looked around. "This place is pretty busy. It shouldn't take long."

  "Oh, right." Well, duh. We'd done this countless times before for various reasons. If you have to, you bat your eyes at some guy to let you in. Britt and I didn't look like crazy psychos or cat burglars, so we usually didn't have much trouble.

  Sure enough, we'd waited less than five minutes before we trailed in behind some older guy who liked the way we looked and wasn't immune to our smiles. We took the elevator to Ophie's condo and got out in the hall. Britt stayed by the elevator, ready to man it for our escape. Yes, this was a first class caper we were pulling off. Look out, Ocean's Eleven We were that sneaky and prepared. Not.

  Britt gave me a hug and I was off to Ophie's condo. The second I knocked on the door, barking erupted inside. Data's bark, to be exact. I'd become a doggy mom who recognized her child's voice. Data had a bark for everything. This one was her Someone's at the door bark. And I may have been a nervous doggy mommy imagining it, but I thought she sounded scared and confused and had a bit of "rescue me" in her yip.

  Inside, Ophie yelled at her to be quiet. Ophie swung the door open. Her face was fierce and curious. Until she saw me and her expression turned to Oh crap. She slammed the door. But not quick enough. I stuck my foot in the door and brought it to a screeching halt. Fortunately, I'd been prepared enough to wear substantial shoes built for running. I pushed the door open again.

  Ophie glared at me. "What are you doing here?"

  Data came bounding toward me.

  "Hey, baby!" I kneeled and scooped her up before Ophie could stop me. I cuddled her in my arms and cooed to her. "Did you have a bad night? Poor puppy! Mama's come to take you home." I kissed her doggy head and stroked her beneath her chin the way she liked.

  I stood and glared back at Ophie. "In case it isn't obvious, I came to get my dog."

  Ophie reached for her. "You can't do that! Jus entrusted her to me when he left you." Her tone was superior and cutting. Triumphant and evil at the same time. It was clear she meant to drive a knife into my heart.

  Fortunately, I was girded with anger. "This is a community property state. Which makes Data as much mine as Justin's." I narrowed my eyes, trying to look menacing. "And I have it on good authority that Jus asked you to take her to a kennel."

  "He was too upset to know what he wanted." She got up in my face. "After you betrayed him with Lazer." There was that victorious look again. "Yeah, Jus told me all about it."

  I went cold to the pit of my stomach. My suspicions came together, making clarity out of the fog of suspicious circumstances. All those "accidental" meetings.

  I stared at her, speechless for the moment, unable to believe how truly diabolical she'd been. Willing her to ramble on like the villain she was and spill all.

  Instead, she glared back at me silently.

  I got right back in her face, cradling Data against me to protect her puppy ears from the vile accusations that were about to spew. "You threw Lazer and me together." For once my voice was deadly calm.

  She grinned. "Did I?" She laughed. "You give me too much credit. But if I had, I would have been doing you a favor. Your popular society bitch kind belongs with Lazer and his philandering ways. You and he are the perfect match. A beautiful storybook couple." Her eyes were hard.

  "But Jus belongs with me." She tapped her chest. "We understand each other. We're the same social class. He only thought he wanted you. Because guys do when they're thinking with their dicks. But once the thrill wears off, guys like Jus realize they need a woman with brains and substance."

  "You"—I pointed an accusatory finger at her—"sent him that email about the baby from Britt's computer." I held her gaze, watching for any signs she was lying.

  "Prove it."

  The bile was rising in my throat. Anger and hatred upset my stomach. "You're nothing but a sneaky eavesdropper. You overheard us in the restaurant."

  "So you admit it's true!" She had that "I gotcha" look on her face.

  "That was a joke." I swallowed hard as a round of morning sickness threatened. "It doesn't matter, though, what you think. Jus is mine now. I'm having his baby."

  And then a wave of nausea rolled over me. My stomach lurched. Just like that I upchucked my bacon and eggs all over Ophie.

  While she was too stunned to speak, I turned and ran with Data barking happily in my arms. "Get the elevator, Britt! Get it now!"

  * * *

  Justin

  The suite had two bedrooms and was big enough for both Dex and me. Dex took the smaller bedroom. I'd been beat, and drunk, when we arrived. I fell into bed and passed out.

  The next morning, Dex was up and eating a champagne breakfast at the breakfast nook table by the windows. His laptop was open. He was hard at work, sipping his orange juice and distractedly taking bites of scrambled eggs in between. His brows were knitted in concentration.

  The smell and sight of food made my stomach lurch. I poured myself a cup of coffee from the carafe in front of Dex.

  "What took you so long, sleepyhead? We have work to do." He was annoyingly chipper.

  I scowled at him. My head pounded and the light was too bright. Not to mention there was an ache where my heart used to be and my stomach burned with anger.

  Dex kicked a chair out for me. "Take a seat, Sunshine." He laughed when I fell into it and put my head in my hand.

  "Since you are determined not to see the advantage of Lala carrying your baby—"

  "I'm going to divorce her." I'd been thinking it through in my drunken stupor all night. It was the right thing to do for both of us. Time to set her free. But it was the first time I'd said it out loud. It sounded cold and final and unsettled my stomach even more.

  "Of course you are," Dex said. "We've known that from the beginning."

  I shook my head, which was a mistake. It pounded loud and painfully. I muttered beneath my breath. "No, I mean, really. Not in a year. Not on our anniversary. As soon as we catch this thief. I emailed Harry before I even got out of bed. Told him to look over our postnup and be ready to strike as soon as we've completed our mission down here."

  Dex shrugged. "Whatever." He grinned and said with a high degree of sarcasm, "At least you made the decision with a clear head." He pushed a bottle of acetaminophen toward me. "Take two."

  I popped two pills and eyed him cautiously. "You're not upset?"

  "It's not my life." He was absolutely unperturbed. "My cousin has already gotten what she apparently wanted, and schemed deviously for—an heir to a billionaire's fortune and eighteen to twenty years of generous child support ahead of her. I'm sure she'll get a good lawyer.

  "Have you seen the videos of her announcing the pregnancy at your birthday party? My mom already posted one on all her social media sites."

  I glared at him.

  "Your mom looked happy." Dex was rubbing it in intentionally. "Enjoy your few minutes of being the
favorite son. Before you dash her hopes and blow your little family apart, you might consider this—there is no legal right of visitation for grandparents. Lala could legally keep them from seeing their first grandchild. And you would become such a dog in their eyes."

  "You're enjoying this." I took a gulp of black coffee.

  "Being the voice of reason?" He shook his head. "It's what I live for. Now, do you want to know what I've found out about your real bride?"

  "Could you push those eggs farther away? They make me want to throw up."

  He shoved them aside without looking at them. "Her name is Macy Long. Well, as far as I can tell. She has about a hundred aliases and false identities. And that's an approximation, not an exaggeration."

  "Am I supposed to be impressed?" I was in a foul mood.

  "You should be," Dex said. "I know where she lives." He let that revelation hang in the air so I could grasp its importance. Dex had a flair for the dramatic. "Now, drink your coffee and get your head out of your ass. We have some surveillance to do."

  I would have shaken my head again, but I'd already learned my lesson. Instead, I took a slow, deep breath. "I have a highly paid PI to do the grunt work for us. Text me what you've got. We'll put his crack team on it. We have better things to do with our time. Like set up a sting. Our file of crackpots is ready to go if we need it?"

  Dex looked disappointed about not getting to play PI. He nodded and sent me a text. "Yeah. Hate to break it to you, but you attract a lot of nutcases and women with odd fantasies and weird conspiracy theories. There are at least half a dozen who claim they're having your baby. At least three of them claim you used aliens to impregnate them."

  "It's my animal magnetism and winning personality." I rolled my eyes. "I think I game with a few of those psychos online."

  "Dude, you got to be more discriminating." Dex laughed.

  "I used to be desperate." I downed half a cup of black coffee and grimaced. "We have any energy drinks around here?"

  "In the not-so-mini fridge in this place." He hitched a thumb toward it.