Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 113142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
She smiled at me, her eyes damp. “Okay.”
I sat down, tapping out an uneven rhythm on the arm of my chair. I drew in a deep breath and asked the question that was burning in my brain. “How did Bradley Bennett get involved in all this?”
“Alex could remember him. In her mind, they were dating. He was in Calgary all the time, visiting her. I assume he managed to convince her they were more than they actually ever were.” Emma shook her head. “He’s been in love with her from the start. Alex never saw it.”
“Hardly news.” I ran my finger over my chin. “So, when he saw his chance to get her back, he moved in, I’m guessing.”
Emma and Alan nodded.
“I imagine,” I mused, “between them all, they filled her head with lies and stories and made her think she and Bradley were deeply involved. And knowing Ally’s need to make people happy, she went with it, thinking she must have been in love with him. She’s never been able to stand up to them.” I barked out a laugh. “Once she was married to him, they had her. She’s so easily manipulated by them.”
“I think Bradley is safe for her. He’s been there this whole time, and he’s something solid she can hold on to. She’s so lost, she needs that. But I don’t think she’s in love with him.”
“You didn’t question their engagement?”
“I asked her if this was what she wanted and she said yes, but she had to think about it before she answered me. Given our limited contact these days, I had to take her at her word. I didn’t want to drive her further away or confuse her even more.”
I thought about what Ally had said to me one time, about if she was married and gone, she would no longer be their responsibility. “This worked out so well for them, didn’t it? They marry her off to the man they chose, he gets the girl he wants, and fuck the rest of the world. Fuck the man who would give up his life for her,” I snarled. “They don’t give a shit if she’s happy, as long as they get what they want.” I stood. “Well, they aren’t going to get it. Neither them nor that bastard.”
I paced the room, trying to figure out my next move. “Is she happy, Emma?”
“I don’t know if she knows what she is, Adam. She’s been told she’s happy.” She sighed and gave me a small smile. “But she doesn’t glow the way she did when she was with you. She seems confused most of the time. It’s almost as if, like you say, she is just doing this because she feels she has no choice.” She closed her eyes for a moment, a sad expression on her face. “She’s also trying to come to terms with Elena’s death. It hit her hard all over again.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. My girl was confused, sad, and suffering. And she was doing it all alone.
“Why did they have a party here in Toronto?”
“Sarah, Ronald, and his father wanted it. They made all the arrangements—Alex came to town a couple of days ago, and she’s only here until the wedding. The plan was for them to marry here where their families are and then go back to Calgary. I’m not sure you noticed, but no one from her life, aside from me, was there tonight. It was all for them.”
I snorted. “All about image.”
“Just like the fancy wedding,” Emma agreed. “Alex has never wanted one, but that’s what’s happening.”
I shook my head, gritting my teeth. “There isn’t going to be a fucking wedding, trust me. And she isn’t going anywhere.”
Alan grinned. “You got a plan?”
“When is this supposed wedding taking place?”
“Three weeks from now,” Emma replied.
I frowned. I didn’t have much time. But I had to make it work.
“Okay. And she is staying here until then?”
“Yes.”
“I assume at her parents’ condo since they sold her place?”
“Yes.”
I sat down. “How was she after I left tonight—was she okay? Did seeing me do anything?”
Emma shook her head. “She was upset. She tried to hide it, but I could see it. She was very quiet, and I heard her tell Bradley she had a terrible headache. He took her home early. But after you left…”
“What? What happened?”
“She kept looking around. She’d walk around the room, not talking to people, just walking. I think maybe…”
“…she was looking for me.” I finished for her.
“I think so.”
“I know she was. We’ve always had an intense connection—it was that way from the moment I met her. If I was close, she needed me touching her. Holding her hand or sitting near her.” I slammed my hand down on the table in anger, hitting it so hard the glasses shook. “She fucking needs me, Emma. She needs me as much as I need her—even more.”