The doctor still looked bemused when Dominic answered his question and stepped out, but he quickly slapped on his professional look, walked to the side of my bed to check the monitor beside me. "Her vitals are stable," he noted, making a few notes on the clipboard. Then he turned to me. "Are you experiencing dizziness? Blurred vision or pain?" "Body aches," I admitted, wincing slightly as I adjusted myself. "Especially my arm and my head feels like it got stomped on." He was jotting on his pad as I spoke. Eventually, he lifted his head and said. "It will wear off soon. We’ll have too keep you under observation for the night." He glanced at the three men briefly, then me. "Is that okay with you?""Yes, doctor."He took his leave and I was alone again with the guys. Gaius looked strung tight and glared daggers at Diego, who hovered close like he wanted to touch me. Dominic stood at the far end of the bed, levelling Diego with a cool stare. "Who took you to the grocery store?
Leaning into my seat, I observed Violet Torres as she chatted with the young woman she was meeting. I wrapped my hand around the cup of coffee I had stopped pretending to drink, concentrating on watching her as she talked, the bounce of her hair, the way she smiled at the other woman who seemed to be conducting an interview of some sort. Soon, it was over and they shook hands and left the restaurant together. I paid for my coffee and waked out casually, going back into my car. I didn't pull onto the road until she did. Then, I followed. Diego always wanted the best for himself and this was one pretty woman. Her next stop was at the grocery store. Perfect! As soon as she parked her car, I pulled up beside her. After she walked in, I slipped under the hood of her car. It didn't take time. Smoothly, I sliced through the power steering pressure line and quickly slipped back in my car and drove off, a maniacal laugh rumbling from my chest. ________ Violet I p
Patrick An hour later, I was settled in Dr. Ellison's office, our family's trusted doctor for years. I took the small plastic bag containing the gum from Diego ad placed it on his desk. He looked inquisitively between me and the object. "I know this is out of the blue, but I need a DNA comparison," I said, cutting through any preamble. Ellison frowned. "To whom?" "Myself."He paused for a long second, perusing me from behind his concave glasses. Then he gave a slow, thoughtful nod. "You want a paternity test.""Yes." "Without the knowledge of your wife, I assume?" Ellison had been our Doctor long enough to be considered more than just a physician. A friend, even. So it was only natural that his mind jumped to the most obvious conclusion - that I had been unfaithful to Valera. "Yes, but it is not what you think it is." I gritted. He met my eyes. "You know I’d never breach your confidence." I nodded once. "We have an understanding." He stood and got his s
PatrickI arrived at the restaurant earlier than Diego and took a seat at the bar. While I waited, my hands drummed on the marble bar top, my mind going through the plan one last time. If I needed to leave here with a solid proof, but what could we talk about to keep him here long enough to take that sip from his drink. I only needed the print of his lip on that glass.We couldn't talk about business, and I wasn't exactly here to get to know him. The only thread I could pull would be his overly affectionate gesture towards Violet. I would make it sound like I was concerned for my son's marriage. I'd grill him, spin him around in circles long enough for the drink to reach his lips. Then the glass would be mine.I drummed my fingers again. "Right on time," I muttered, as the door swung open and Diego stepped inside.I started to wave my hands, in case he had trouble spotting me, but he spotted me in a heartbeat and started walking toward the bar in a smooth, confident stride. "Mr. Tor
Patrick I watched my wife's gentle face while she slept, but my mind was preoccupied with the thoughts of how the evening played out at Violet's book launch. The guy, Diego. Something about him nagged me even when he appeared like the charming guy next door. Carefully removing my hand from Valera's waist where it rested, I slipped out of bed, careful not to stir her. Since I couldn't sleep, I would do something to out out the fire igniting in my chest. Silently, I made my way down the hall leading to my study, stopping briefly to start at one to the family portraits lining the hall. One was taken when Dominic was graduating rom Harvard, another showed the boys in high school during a football game, their gangly frame already towering over their mother, even as teenagers. I ran my hand over the picture, wondering if Valera and I had tried our best to be there for our children or we failed in our duty. With a shake of my head, I made my way into my study, clicking the door
Patrick I watched my wife's gentle face while she slept, but my mind was preoccupied with the thoughts of how the evening played out at Violet's book launch. The guy, Diego. Something about him nagged me even when he appeared like the charming guy next door. Carefully removing my hand from Valera's waist where it rested, I slipped out of bed, careful not to stir her. Since I couldn't sleep, I would do something to out out the fire igniting in my chest. Silently, I made my way down the hall leading to my study, stopping briefly to start at one to the family portraits lining the hall. One was taken when Dominic was graduating rom Harvard, another showed the boys in high school during a football game, their gangly frame already towering over their mother, even as teenagers. I ran my hand over the picture, wondering if Valera and I had tried our best to be their for our children or we failed in our duty. With a shake of my head, I made my way into my study, clicking the