Page 44 of With Wine Comes War

“What rules? How can there be rules in a fucked-up game. It’s kinda the point.” She was smiling but it looked almost sinister.

“So, mind games turn you on, huh?” God she’s crazy. She slumped back in the seat and stared at the ceiling.

“Right now, my head is a mess and all it wants to do is fight and be angry. I wish all this bullshit was over so I could stop obsessing about it. I worry that even when it’s over it won’t really be over. I have nightmares.” She grumbled and put her hands over her face.

I reached over to pull her hands off her face and pleaded, “Why didn’t you tell me?” She started to tear up. She slapped my hands away.

“This is why. Because I start to cry, and I feel pathetic, and it makes me feel like Tanner’s won. Like he’s broken me. That’s how you distract me, Roman. I don’t like feeling like this. When I’m angry I can focus it all on him and make sure he goes to jail. I’m afraid his brother is going to find a way to get him off,” she yelled through her tears.

“Damn it, Alex. You should’ve talked to me about this, or at least talked to my mom. All this anger isn’t good for you.” Jesus, and here I am feeding it to her.

“Well, I’m trying to channel it, like I said. I’m a decent fighter. I don’t want to compete but it’s pretty amazing what the body is capable of when you really put your mind to it.”

At least she’s channeling it productively.Maybe.

I finally pulled out and headed to a Mexican restaurant I liked on the outskirts of town. We sat in a booth across from each other and talked about nothing important for once. We kept the conversation light. I’m glad she was letting me back in somewhat, but for whatever reason, she’s still keeping me at arms’ length. She’s built up one hell of a wall, more so than before. Who knows, maybe she needs more therapy than even my mom can give her. I don’t want to lose this girl, but what if there’s nothing I can do to stop that? I guess, like her, we’ll see what happens after the court case.

“What do you want to do tonight?” I leaned back into the booth to get a better view of her.

“I know what I don’t want to do.”

“What’s that?”

“Drink.” Yeah, that seemed to get us into trouble.

“Okay, I’m good with that. Do you want to watch a movie?” I wiggled my eyebrows at her. We had fun the last time we watched a movie.

She chuckled. “No, I don’t think so. What about if we try going on a walk again down by the river and maybe swing or ride the carousel?”

That sounds perfect. Out in the open where we won’t make a scene.

“Let me check the weather.” We both laughed. Getting caught in the rain turned out to be a lot of fun, but we never got to swing together and who knows maybe it will help get things back to normal in her head.

This was a nice relaxing lunch. I’m feeling better about things at the moment. She just needed to relax a bit. She seemed so wound up.

We finished eating and I drove back home. We rode the elevator up to my office and I kissed her on the cheek as I got off and sent her up to the penthouse.

Amelia stopped me as I was walking past her desk. “I’ve been trying to call you.” I patted my pockets but all I had were my keys and my wallet. I guess I left my phone on my desk.

“Why? What’s up?” She seemed flustered.

“The detective and the DA have been calling but now they’re waiting for you in your office.” I turned and hurried in. They were whispering back and forth when I opened the door.

“Hi Detective Lewis.”This can’t be good.

She said, “Hi Mr. King, this is DA Ralph Martin. He’s the prosecutor for Miss Kennedy’s case. We’ve been trying to get a hold of her. Her attorneys told us to check with you…Hold on she’s calling right now. Alex, we’re in Mr. King’s office…” She looked at me with a worried expression on her face. “She hung up,” Detective Lewis quickly replied.

I slumped down in my seat and looked up into nothingness. Just when things were starting to calm down.

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “My guess is she’s on her way to my office since that’s where you told her you were. Might as well wait till she gets here to kill two birds with one stone. Can’t be good news, I’m assuming.” The officer shook her head.

Alex came charging in, arms crossed over her chest looking absolutely crazed. I guess the nice, relaxed feelings she was having are officially gone.

She frantically spit out, “There’s something wrong, isn’t there? I’ve been having nightmares. I know there’s something wrong.” I got up and came around the desk and pulled up a chair for her.

She shook her head and growled, “I don’t want to sit.” I knew better than to try and calm her down right now, especially with that feral look in her eyes. The one of a trapped animal ready to attack.

The detective stood up and said, “Alex, you know I prepared you for everything that could happen.” She was nervously shaking her leg and biting her lip looking between me and Detective Lewis. Then she nodded and the detective continued. “An unfortunate thing happened. He’s out on bond until the hearing. His brother managed to pull some strings. It doesn’t mean he’s going to be able to get off.”

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