Page 19 of Vintage

According to Reese's profile, she’s a genetics engineer working two hours away from Willow Crest at one of the top research labs in North Carolina,if not the entire country. However, given her sharp wit, I was surprised she could be sarcastic, but she certainly is.

"Reese, for the last time, I’m saying this is our issue—"

"Do you honestly believe it’s just your issue now that the police are involved, Amir?!" Darius stormed into my studio; His eyes blazing.

Since he visited me at home a week ago, he’s been coming over to have this ridiculous conversation about needing to see my wife and that I should fix things.

"More of this nonsense, Darius?" I sighed, rolling my eyes, but the expression on his face was anything but reassuring.

A scowl formed on my face as I set my pen down on the side table, stepping away from my workstation and striding toward him.

Confronting the man directly, I shot him a fierce look. "What do you mean?"

His jaw clenched, a muscle twitching, igniting a fire in my veins.

"A letter was sent to my brother containing a ring, claiming you’ve been holding your wife captive in your home. That letter was sent by none other than your wife. Dimitri is on his way to arrest you!" He delivered each word with a heavy pause, draining the color from my face.

What did he just say?

I scowled and pushed past him, sprinting toward my Jeep, with Reese and Darius unexpectedly trailing behind. They jumped into the passenger and backseat, and I sped off, ignoring red lights and stop signs, until the tires screeched to a halt in my driveway.

Everything appeared normal, but I sensed something was off.

A knot twisted in my stomach.

I skipped the porch step, flung the door open, and dashed upstairs to my room, disregarding the two behind me.

Amery was still there, cuffed to the bedpost, sleeping peacefully.

But my gaze was drawn to the dressing table mirror when Reese gasped, standing before it, her hands covering her mouth, stifling a scream I could easily sense.

A shiver coursed through me, and I clenched my fist.

What the fucking hell?! How did she break into my house?!

"You fucking crazy, nut crack jackass!" Darius exclaimed, staring at Amery, covered in my marks.

I growled at him and made my way to the bed, retrieving the key from the small compartment in the side table drawer to unlock the cuffs on Amery's wrists.

"Get out, Darius!" I shouted, my voice causing my wife to groan in her sleep as she stirred.

I hardly remember the haze I was in with her, but I could never be the kind of jerk who would leave his wife exposed after we fucked. She is not my plaything. She is my wife, and I had no intention of making her feel any other way.

Yet, the mere thought of her leaving sent my anger spiraling, but nothing would change how I treated her.

"Amy!!" Reese cried out, rushing to the bed, nearly leaping onto it.

Amery stirred again, slowly opening her eyes, rubbing them, and letting out an adorable yawn.

She looked at me with a grin, but as she shook off the remnants of sleep, that smile began to fade until reality hit her, and it vanished, replaced by anger, hatred, and disgust directed at me.

Sitting up abruptly, another painful groan escaped her lips, and before I could reach for her, Reese was there, helping her sit up. Amery paused for a moment, but then, seeing her friend, fresh tears filled her eyes. She couldn'tquite believe that I had finally allowed someone into our home, that when she embraced her friend in tears, her hands were no longer restrained.

Maybe I’m not a jerk, but the version of me that Amery perceives isn’t too far from the truth.

I have caused pain to my wife, and I am fully aware of it. However, what she requested of me was something I simply couldn't provide. It lies beyond my capabilities.

"Mrs. Rowan," I called out tentatively, and she recoiled, her eyes narrowing in anger once more.

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