MasukSPADE“Sir, Mr. Laurier is waiting in his car,” Quinton whispered, “and wants to talk to you.”I looked at him. “What does he want from me?” Why now, when my life was a mess? When I couldn’t even deal with the huge secrecy between Lex and Sean.“He’d rather say it to you personally, sir. He said it’s important and wouldn’t take long.”How did he even know where I was? I scanned the hospital grounds and saw a familiar face in a black suit. “Very well.” “Is everything okay?” Robyn came back, holding my elbow. “Yeah.” I nodded even if she wasn’t convinced. “Go ahead with Wave. I just have something to take care of. It won’t take long.” I leaned in to kiss her forehead. She hesitated at first but smiled tightly, “Okay. Be careful.”Once she walked with Wave towards the hospital entrance, I told Quinton, “Tell him to come to the car.”We went back to the car and got in, texting Lex.SPADE: Where are you?”He replied right away.LEX: On my way. Are you there yet?SPADE: Yeah. Hariton is
ROBYN“Oh, fuck.” He sat on the bed and looked at his clothes piled up on the floor. “I think I might have left my phone in the office after I called you.”While my gaze was glued to Spade, I answered it. “Lex?” “Put it on speaker,” Spade demanded. And I did it, mouthed, “Be nice.”“Where’s my son? He’s not picking up his phone.” His voice was urgent, making me worry.“I’m here, Dad. I forgot my phone downstairs,” despite the tension, he said calmly. “Is everything okay? Are you okay?”“I’m fine. Your father—”“I don’t wanna talk about him,” he cut him off.“I know you’re upset, but you might wanna set your anger aside. And you might just get what you wished for. He’s been mugged at the cemetery.”I made an audible gasp. My shaky hand flew to my mouth.“W-what?” His words seemed to have frozen in his throat. His mouth slacked open. Color drained from his face as he stared at the phone screen in shock.“Um, Lex. Where is he now?”“He’s been brought to the Memorial Hospital with multi
ROBYNAs we got into the room, he just stripped off and dropped them on the floor, except for his boxers. Then he threw himself into bed, covered himself with the duvet, and turned on his side.He then closed your eyes and said, “Don’t just stand there. Take off your clothes and come to bed.”I didn’t want to argue. I did as he asked me to do and joined him in bed. “Do you want me to close the light?”“Keep it.” He then sighed. “I can lose everything but you, Robyn.”My heart skipped a beat, and then bled. His words were both romantic and heartbreaking. It was like confessing how much I meant to him, and he couldn’t live without me. It was terrifying. He was saying how much he loved me in his own way.“You’re wearing the necklace I gave you,” he said through a muffled and tired voice.“It’s beautiful.” I touched the gold personalized necklace with my name, encrusted with diamonds, a gift he brought me during his trip to Singapore.I dragged myself close to him, tangled my leg over his
ROBYNAfter I parked the car, I rushed inside the house, calling his name. His house was big, and it would take me a while to search every room. “Babe?” I made it to the hallway. At the end of the corner was his home office. I knocked, hoping he was there. At my second knock, the door swung open.“Where the fuck have you been?” His eyes were red. That was the first thing I noticed. His hair was disheveled, like he had run his fingers through it many times. His nose was flaring, impatiently waiting for my reply. “I met Piper at the cafe downtown.” Don’t provoke him, Robyn. Stay calm. “Didn’t I tell you not to go out alone? And you took my car.” He wasn’t accusing me of stealing. He was angry that I left alone, unprotected. Calm down, girl. He’d been in hell today. I opened my mouth and ended up shutting it close. “Aren’t you going to say something?” His eyes narrowed, much to his indignation. He was breathing hard, and his hands were on his hips. “I’m sorry, okay? I shouldn’t hav
ROBYN“So, where’s your driver? I don’t see Quinton anywhere.” Piper looked outside the coffee shop. “I came here alone.” I gave her the gift I told her about. I borrowed one of Spade’s cars from his garage and drove here alone. He could get angry with me later. Besides, the cafe wasn’t far from his house. “Alone as in alone?” She stared at me in shock. “Why? What’s so shocking? She’s dead, and the last time I checked, I used to drive to work.” When the waitress came, she ordered a macha latte and a cinnamon dulce latte for me and a slice of walnut and pecan loaf. “Since when do you indulge in cake? Are you craving, babe?” “Huh? You mean—” My heart rate raced. “No. I told you—” “What did you tell me exactly?” She beamed. Now I was confused. I thought she was asking if I was pregnant. “Are you sure your husband is not gonna go ballistic when he comes home and you’re not there?” “Why do you always assume that he has me on a short leash? He’s actually nice and thoughtful.” “A
SPADEI got out of the car with steady legs, with my heart pumping hard in my chest. He instantly saw me, and I saw the excitement in his hazel eyes. He even smiled as I got closer. I remained stoic. I honestly didn’t know how to approach him after what he put me through. I grabbed for remnants of my sanity not to punch him square in the face because I wasn’t violent, and I was better than him. “Spade.” He walked closer, opened his arms as if wanting an embrace.Fueled by a surge of rage, I raised my hand. “Let’s not do that.”Freezing, his face fell. I instantly saw the pain crossing his eyes. If he could feel pain, why did he do what he did that ended up in a horror house with other monsters?“I didn’t come here for a reunion.” I gestured at Wave. He came carrying a manila envelope. I took it from him and offered it to Sean. “Here’s fifty thousand dollars for you to start over. I want you to leave me alone, to never contact me, and never show up near or at my building, or I will c







