Flawed Perfection (An Eve Sumptor Novel) (20 page)

It’s because of you that I have a family. It’s because of you that the art that adorns my home now comes from my daughter. And it’s because of you that I was able to allow Adam into my heart. Grateful doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel about that.

Never forget, though, my love for you. You are the best friend I’ve ever had, and so much more. I cherish our moments together, and I always will. You and your boys were the first of my family. Spending time with the three of you meant the world to me. It made me realize that I had more of myself to offer.

If you’re reading this, then I hope you’re keeping your promise and taking care of Bella and Adam. Watch over my baby girl, Lainey. Guide her the way you think I would guide her. And, tell them daily that I love them. No matter where I am, I love them. Be happy, Lainey. I’m always with you.

Love,

Eve

Shit. That was enough of that. For once, Eve was glad she didn’t have a wealth of family. Any more letters like that and she’d be a basket case. Because he was on her mind, she took her phone out to text Adam.

Hey baby. Day going well?

She knew he would think she was checking up on him, and maybe she was. But, she also just wanted some connection with him. Since he told her he would be at the site today, she didn’t think calling him would be wise. Eve grinned when her phone chimed.

Never as good as when I hear from you.

Eve’s grin widened at his response. It felt nice to smile after being so depressed by the letters she wrote.

Such a charmer ;)

Absently, Eve picked up the pencil she had tossed aside when frustration made her stop trying to sketch.

Not a charmer, beautiful. Honest. Checking in on me?

Hmm. Definitely a charmer, Eve thought. She lifted her wrist to check the time, then remembered she didn’t wear a watch. Why did she always do that? She switched her gaze to her phone and noted it was past lunch time. Adam should have been to the warehouse by now.

Just wondering if you checked out the space? I still think it’s perfect.

Eve began sketching, distractedly, thinking of the warehouse. She didn’t know why she hadn’t thought of it before. Of course, she had a lot of shit on her mind.

Not yet, beautiful. Had to work through lunch. Will do it on the way out. Is that OK?

Eve smiled again. She was still getting used to this whole marriage thing. He didn’t have to ask her for permission, but the fact that he did warmed her heart.

Of course, amant. Be careful. Bella and I will be waiting patiently for you. Or, maybe impatiently on my part. ;)

She went back to her sketch as she waited for his response. Nothing good was coming out of it, she thought. It bothered her, greatly, that she couldn’t paint or sketch. This was the first time in her life that she couldn’t find the inspiration. She wasn’t completely sure how to deal with that. Maybe she would get in the studio tonight and stay there until something broke through.

I’ll make it worth your wait, beautiful. I promise. ;) I won’t be long.

Or, she would just take Adam out to the studio and stay there until he fucked the inspiration out of her.

“Eve?” Lainey glanced over at Eve for what seemed to be the hundredth time since leaving the gallery. She had been so quiet and despondent, so unlike Eve, that Lainey worried.

“Hmm?”

“Is everything okay?”

Eve looked at Lainey briefly and offered her a small smile. “Of course.” As okay as it can be when,
once again
, your life is being threatened.

Lainey bit back her sigh. She hated when Eve was like this with her. If she didn’t want to talk to her, she should say so, not lie. “Why can’t you just talk to me?” she thought, staring out the window.

Eve frowned. “What would you like me to say, Lainey?”

Lainey flinched. Had she really said that out loud? Well, since she had, she may as well see it through.

“I don’t want you to say everything is okay when clearly it’s not.”

Eve slowed her Jag, turning into a parking lot. She noted that the dark sedan followed her, parking a not-so-respectable fifty feet away.
Ugh. Boundaries, guys
. She pushed them aside, and turned in her seat to face Lainey.

“I’m scared. Is that what you want to hear?” She watched Lainey’s features soften and fought back tears. “I don’t know what to do, or how to deal with this. I don’t know what to do to keep my family safe. Hell, I don’t know if, when I walk out the door, I will come back.”

“Eve …”

“Don’t. Please. I didn’t want to say anything because I don’t want you to worry more than I already know you are. And, I didn’t want to say anything because this feeling of weakness pisses me off.”

“Being scared doesn’t make you weak, Eve.” Lainey told her softly.

“If I just knew what I was up against …”

“You have people working on that for you, Eve. Let them do their jobs.”

“That’s what I’m doing, Lainey.” Eve looked over her shoulder at the security. “But, this is not what I’m used to.” She turned back to Lainey. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” Eve’s apology surprised her. What did she possibly have to be sorry about? She didn’t do this.

“I’m sorry that being in my life has put yours in danger. Again.”

“Eve, don’t you dare do that. This is not your fault. Tony wasn’t your fault. People make their own choices.” She glanced over at the sedan herself before taking Eve’s hand in hers. “I made my own choices, and I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Eve gently squeezed Lainey’s hand and smiled. “You’re sweet. And, I’m just tired and frustrated. I’ll feel much better when Charlie and James find something.”

Lainey slipped her hand away. Not that she didn’t want to keep holding Eve’s hand, but lately she had been remembering why she made the decision to stay with Jack. She also remembered why Eve chose Adam, especially after that spectacular kiss this morning. “I notice you didn’t mention Billy.”

Eve snickered and pulled back onto the road. She was ready to get home to her daughter and wait for Adam. “It’s petty, I know, but he kept things from me, so this is my way of punishing him.”

“So you’re keeping him out of the loop now?”

“He’s working his own angle, as the feds usually do. He’ll text me every once in a while with absolutely no updates. I’ll call him sometimes with the same results. It just gets a little uncomfortable talking to him knowing he still harbors these feelings for me.”

Lainey stiffened, and Eve felt the change, immediately regretting what she said.

“I didn’t mean you, Lainey. You know our situation is different. I have never had feelings for Billy.”

“May I ask why?”

Eve looked at Lainey questioningly.

“Billy is a good-looking guy and sweet. He obviously thinks the world of you.”

“It took me a long time to open up to a man like Adam. Do you really think I had the capacity to have feelings for Billy at that time of my life?”

“That makes sense.”

Eve placed the pork in the oven with the potatoes, and set the timer. She would work on the salad when she knew Adam was on his way home. She chose a good vintage, red wine and popped it open to let it breathe. Once she finished that, she turned her attention to Bella—who kept bumping into her with her activity walker—and plucked her up.

“Is momma not giving you enough attention, baby girl?”

Bella made Eve’s heart swell with love by giving her a string of ‘mama, mama, mama’s’ while patting Eve’s cheeks.

“
I love you so much
.” Eve whispered to her, hugging her almost too tightly. “Let’s text daddy and see where he is.”

She sat at the table, balancing Bella on her lap. Bringing out her phone, she typed out a quick text.

Hey baby. Do you have an ETA?

Bella reached for Eve’s phone, swiping her fingers across the screen, laughing when the icons moved. Eve chuckled at her daughter, and placed a kiss on top of her head. When it chimed, Bella squealed with laughter.

No. Shouldn’t be long though.

Eve frowned. He must be in a bad mood. Adam never texted her back without some sort of endearment.

Everything OK?

Bella fidgeted in Eve’s arms, so she let her down to tool around.

Fine. Just trying to finish up.

Okay, Eve did not enjoy cranky Adam’s texts. And, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something more was wrong. Why she decided to ask the question, she didn’t know, but she typed it out with trembling fingers.

OK. Is chicken still perfect for dinner?

Please, she prayed silently. Please give the right answer.

Yes. It’s fine.

Fuck!
She scrolled to Adam’s number and called. Her breathing and heartbeat came faster, and she took a breath to try and calm herself. Maybe he just forgot she was making pork. It’s been a stressful time for both of them, it would be perfectly understandable.

When the line answered, she waited for his greeting, but heard nothing.

“Who is this?” she demanded.

Silence.

“Who is this? Where is my husband!” Unable to sit, Eve shoved out of the chair and began pacing. “Tell me!” She practically screamed in the phone, and Bella began to cry.

The line went dead, and Eve almost screamed again out of frustration and fear. She was about to dial Adam’s number again when the phone chimed in her hand making her jump.

Don’t call again, Eve. If you want to see your husband again, you’ll wait for my instructions. Call anyone else, and he dies.

Oh God. Oh no. Please, no. Eve’s entire body shuddered with uncontrollable shakes. She sank to her knees next to Bella, who was still crying after Eve’s outburst. Eve took Bella into her arms, holding on for dear life.

“I’m sorry, baby girl. It was supposed to be me, not your daddy.” Eve began to cry with Bella, rocking them both.
God, please, let me help him. Let me save him. I can’t live without him. He’s done nothing to deserve this except love me. Please, let him be okay.
Eve kept repeating the silent prayer over and over, wishing the phone would signal with instructions. She would do anything to save him. She would lay down her life for him if she had to.

She picked up her phone, incapable of waiting. She just hoped she didn’t make things worse.

Please. Tell me what you want. I will do anything.

She could barely hold the phone in her trembling hands, and waiting for any kind of response was killing her. Her heart pounded in her chest, so hard she was sure it would break through. Her only source of solace was Bella. She had settled down, but even her one year old self focused on Eve as though she knew something was wrong.