Page 24 of Adore Me
"Let's begin by my saying that I want to stab you in your eyeball," Joel jerked his head back and Leo laughed. "After everything... Everything! Our marriage, our wedding, our vows, our baby and our home... Everything that you did to destroy all of that doesn't matter to me," I grabbed the letter and held it out. "You stole from me?" My voice is a lot softer than I thought I could manage.
Again, he didn't look the least bit apologetic towards the betrayal that I feel. "I didn't steal it from you. I didn't want you to cry on our wedding day."
Joel's nonchalance is really rubbing me the wrong way and all I want to do right now is punch him in the face. "Bull shit! You knew how hard that day was for me and you kept this from me. I can't believe that you would do that. Now, I have forgiven you for cheating on me and how you requested the divorce. Hell, I forgive you for drugging me and then bringing me to an office to get the shit beat out of me, but this is unforgivable."
And just like that, Joel's hot temper is back and making its appearance well known. He shoots out of the chair and picks a glass up and throws it on the ground. I couldn't stop the shudder that fell over me. "All you care about is the money! I didn't want you to run away with all that money."
Before I knew it, I heard a slap and felt the sting in my palm. Joel put his hand to his face and stared at me with crazy eyes. My stinging palms gave me some great satisfaction. "I don't care about the money. I care that you kept something from me that was left from my dead parents!" I was screaming at him and went into his chair space. After leaning very close, I noticed something that I have never seen before in his eyes. Fear. He's afraid of me. "This by far hurts worse than anything you have ever done. I would rather be in that room with Millstone than feel this amount of hatred for you!"
Leo came away from the door and set his gun down on the table. I held my hand out to him in order to stop him from doing something stupid. I don't think threatening Joel will have the desired effect that we were looking for. Plus, I am beaming with pride.
"I want nothing more than to kick you until you die. However, I am a lady. I hope you feel my wrath as you walk out ofourplace and feel it when you come across something of ours. I never want to see you again. I promise you this!" I picked up the gun and held it in my hand. Leo jerked and stood behind me. "I will ruin you."
Joel stood out of his chair and faced me. I didn't show a weakness as he stared me down. "You could never kill me, baby. You don't even know how to do it!" He rubbed my arm and I stumbled back to get away from him.
"I didn't say anything about killing you. You came up with that on your own," I turned to face Leo. "Are we ready?" I walked towards the door and opened it.
"You seem to be all big and bad when you have these bodyguards. However, when we were married you cowered."
"Bite me!" I screamed as I walked out the door with Leo following me. As soon as we got into the elevator I crashed into the wall while still holding the gun and my letter. "I am so sorry that you had to be there."
Leo game over to me and hugged me. "I am happy that I was there. You are so much stronger than me." I snorted as I hugged him back. "It takes a strong person to use their words and not violence. I would have killed him." When we got to the bottom of the building, I looped my arm through his. "That was amazing. Let's get you home."
Chapter 21
Except he didn't take me home. I knew from the way that we took that we were not headed towards Vincent. The way that Leo took brought us back to downtown. I knew he wouldn't tell me where we were going so I just looked out the window.
He stopped the truck at a very prestigious French restaurant. I was surprised that he would take me here. Before I could ask any questions, Vincent opened the door and took my hand to help me out.
"Are you going to give Leo back his gun?" Even though it was a serious question, he was teasing me. I completely forgotten that I still had it in my hand.
"Oh, I am sorry!" I squealed and handed it to Leo. "Thanks, Leo!" I waved at him as I climbed out of the truck and into a hug with Vincent. "I missed you today," I whispered as I clutched him closer to me.
Leo drove off and Vincent squeezed me back but backed out of the hug to hold my hand. "I was thinking... we haven't been out to dinner with each other in a long time. Is French food okay?" He winked at me and before I answered, we walked into the empty restaurant.
The restaurant looked like France actually was in here. Well, what I could picture France looking like. A beautiful restaurant and a busy one normally. In the middle was a table that was lit by candles and wine already served.
"Where is everyone?" I asked while scanning the restaurant.
"Johnny owns it. I reserved it for us. Come on, let's sit." We walked over to the table with me tucked in his arm.
"Thank you for this. I needed it," I said as I took a sip of my Merlot.
"Give me your phones." I handed them to him and heard the jingle that means they have been powered off. He kissed my hand and tucked a stray piece of hair behind my ear. "No problem. I turned off my phone and Johnny has been advised to let anyone through the door. Tonight, is our evening."
I smiled at him and moved my chair closer to him so I could snuggle with him. How funny. I feel as if I can't get close enough to him. I love being the center of his attention. Johnny came out with two covered platters and tried not to laugh at us.
"You seriously convinced him to serve us?" I asked while laughing as Johnny put the food down. Even through the coverings, the food smelled amazing and my mouth watered for something other than my tall-dark-and-handsome man.
"I did him a favor and now he repaid it. Thanks Johnny," Johnny left our table laughing at us. "I ordered us pasta and a mixture of food. Try this," he fed me a stuffed mushroom.
"That is so good. Here, you try one," I fed him one back and he licked my finger. "This place is beautiful."
We fed each other back and forth until the food in the platters were gone. We chatted about random things to keep a conversation going. It was nothing serious. However, it felt good to be on a normal date and do normal date activities.
After our dessert was served, a mixture of fruits, puddings and cakes, I asked the one question that has been burning my mind.
"What do you do while I am at work?"
