Cut Too Deep (46 page)

“How long have you been with him?”

Regina pursed her lips in thought.

“About seven years, but I watched him grow up. I worked for his granddaddy for a long time.”

“Did you know Theresa?”

Regina caught on to Hadley’s fishing, although it didn’t bother her.

“I did, but we didn’t talk like this. He never brought her here. This is his family home. He must love you.”

That puzzled Hadley.

“They didn’t live here when they were married?”

“No. They lived in a condo close to work for Mr. Genetti. Other than Nana Lorino, he doesn’t bring women here. Too much respect for Papa Lorino. He and his granddaddy have good memories here. This is how I know you are special to him.”

“He’s special to me, too.”

Regina smiled broadly at Hadley.

“And this I know, by the sparkle in your eyes.”

After dinner, Hadley helped clean up, though Regina insisted it wasn’t necessary. When Regina left for the evening, Hadley went to the living room and phoned Sascha. They spoke for almost an hour before Hadley agreed to go through with the audition. Sascha was thrilled and asked Hadley if she could train her. Hadley told her she would get back to her after she had the chance to give the matter some thought.

Her next phone call was to Valentina and significantly more emotional. She called from Miller’s cell phone and waited nervously for her grandmother to answer.

“Miller. Thank God you called. I’ve been watching the news. The guardian story is about Hadley, isn’t it? How is she?”

“I’m fine.”

“Oh, Hadley.” The line went silent. The faint sound of sniffling irritated Hadley. “I’m so sorry. More than you’ll ever know.”

“I appreciate that, Valentina, but I’m calling because I wasn’t fair to you the other day. I’d like to meet with you and listen to what you have to say.”

“I would like that very much. Would you come over for dinner on Wednesday? You can bring Miller.”

“I’ll be there, but I’ll come alone.”

Hadley ended the call and swapped phones. She sent Mac a text to tell him she was home and would see him at work.

Miller smiled when she entered the kitchen, a spoonful of Nutella halfway to his lips.

“You’re so busted.”

“What?” He shrugged. “I wanted dessert.”

Hadley approached him, and he held the spoon out for her.

Her lips closed around the metal, sucking off every drop of chocolate. Miller dipped his finger in the tub, coating his finger with the sweet chocolate butter. He set the jar on the counter and held his finger in the air.

“Hmm…where would I like to put this?”

Hadley tilted her head, exposing her neck.

“I like the way you think, Love.”

Miller applied the chocolate to her neck, dragging his finger to her collar bone. Her eyes glimmered with anticipation. He dipped his head, his tongue licking the chocolate clean from her neck.

He scooped her up in his arms and picked up the tub of Nutella.

“I simply must have more.”

Hadley giggled and rested her head on his shoulder as he carried her off to bed.

Hadley arrived at work and felt surprisingly happy to be back to her comfortable routine, although with a few modifications. Antonio and Armonno now served lobby duty, monitoring anyone who came in the building, in case Duwatski decided to show up at her place of employment.

Hard stares from her co-workers alerted Hadley’s nerves. Last she heard from Don, her name had not yet been disclosed to the press, yet they looked at her like they knew.

She put her things away and sat down. Before Hadley could boot up her computer, Mac entered through her door.

“Don’t ever worry me like that again!”

Hadley heard him but was still distracted.

“Do you know why everyone’s starting at me?”

Mac waggled his eyebrows. “You’ve been ousted.”

Hadley felt like crawling under her desk and hiding until it was dark to escape. Her co-workers knew the truth about her.

“Oh, man. Not about the guardian. I’m sorry.” Mac went to her computer and entered something in google images. “Here.”

Hadley viewed the pictures of her and Miller during halftime at Meadowbrook. Some of them kissing made her blush. They looked happy. The tagline
unidentified female
, made her laugh.

“Has anyone said anything?”

“Nothing bad, except, Tosser. She doesn’t see what the G-man sees in you and is pretty sure that’s why you were promoted.”

“It was not!”

“Whoa. I know that. You’re talent speaks to that. Don’t let that cow get under your skin. She’s jealous." Hadley laughed. “As for the guardian, you want me to take him out for you?”

Hadley couldn’t judge if Mac was joking or not.

“No. I’ve already had to call off the Lorinos.”

“Seriously? Did they put a hit on him?”

Did they? Is that what they called it outside of movies?

“You’re very dramatic, my friend.” Mac showed off a proud smile. “They were inclined to deal with him for me, but I want the satisfaction of an arrest, to send a message. Let other people know they aren’t alone and they can speak out.”

“Empowering. Good for you, sista! I’m proud of you.”

It was the word she’d been searching for since she decided to turn Duwatski in, and she felt it, empowered. Hadley smiled.

“Thank you. Truthfully, it’s going to be hard. He’s going to make my life hell.”

“I think if you reach one other victim, it will all be worth it.”

“You know what, you’re right. It will.”

“How many times do I have to tell you? I’m always right.”

Hadley rolled her eyes.

“Oh, yes, I forgot how incredibly smart you are.”

“You’re welcome. Are we doing lunch today?”

“Of course, but the babysitters have to come along, at least until he’s found.”

“Fine by me.”

Once Mac left her office, Hadley went back to admiring the photographs of her and Miller. She spent the next hour catching up on e-mails and looking over resumes for a secretary. Most of them had no graphic design experience, and she thought she should check with Paul to see if it was a requirement. Her mind needed a break. She left her desk and headed for the elevator.

Miller opened the door when Renee buzzed him. The minute Hadley reached him, she smiled and hugged and kissed him.

“Wow, did somebody miss me?”

She did miss him and loved that he was close by when she wanted to see him.

Hadley blushed when they sat on the couch, remembering how she’d pleaded with him to make love to her on it. The backs of Miller's fingers smoothed circles on her thigh.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Miller said, his voice low and seductive.

“You do?”

“I think it every time I look at this couch.”

In an instant, Hadley was on her back. Their lips crushed together. Miller hiked her skirt up. As he reached for her panties, the intercom spoke.

“Mr. Genetti, I’m sorry to interrupt. Miss Jensen is here to see you.”

Hadley went rigid.

“Fuck!” Miller stood up and went to the phone on his desk. “Tell her to wait a minute.”

Hadley sat up and glared at him. “What is she doing here? Did you know she was coming?”

“Of course not! And, I have no clue why she’s here. Last I heard, she moved on and was living in Saudi Arabia.”

“When did you hear this?”

“I received a letter about a week ago.”

Her eyebrows shot up, and she stood.

“You didn’t tell me.”

Hadley’s hurt expression put him on the defensive.

“I’ve been a little preoccupied, Love.”

“Don’t put not disclosing it on me. Did you write her back?”

“God, no!”

Shouting came from the other side of the door, and it bursts open. Renee shouted, “You can’t barge in there.” Seconds later, “I’m sorry, Mr. Genetti.”

Hadley spun toward the door. She faced a confident, beautiful woman with impeccable style.  Theresa had sleek black hair that angled at the shoulders. She was tall, with tanned flawless skin. Hadley felt small and plain standing next to the woman with perfect makeup and long muscled legs. Theresa looked like a super model, exotic and powerful. Her eyes, palest blue, almost lavender, appraised Hadley from head to toe, pursing her lips.

“Who are you?” Theresa snarled.

Hadley didn’t care for her attitude. A possessive feeling stirred inside of her, stemming from insecurity no doubt.

“I’m Miller’s girlfriend.”

Hadley sounded confident in her mind, but when the words came out, she sounded like someone Theresa could easily squash with her pointy toed stilettos.

“Oh, well then.” Theresa waved a hand in her face. “Run along, and he won’t be calling you. Don’t take it personal.”

“Don’t speak to her that way!” Miller shouted, his tone a stern warning.

Theresa turned to face him, regarding him with intrigue.

“Don’t tell me this is who you’ve finally decided to move on with.” She gestured to Hadley, moving her outstretched hand up and down. “She’s a child and hardy sophisticated enough for you, darling.”

Hadley’s eyes began to water. She didn’t want to cry. Truth be told, she wanted to punch his wife in the face. She seriously considered it, but Miller spoke with authority.

“Shut your mouth, Theresa, or I won’t hesitate to have security throw you out of here!”

“Miller!”

Theresa placed a hand on her heart and had the audacity to look offended.

“Don’t! Hadley is my girlfriend and a permanent part of my life. I won’t allow you to disrespect her. Sit! I need to see her out, and then you can say whatever you came here to say.”

Miller grabbed Hadley by the arm and walked her to the elevators. He kissed her furiously, one hand in her hair, and the other molded to her tight ass. Hadley ignored the many people watching, because she wanted him to have the memory to take back with him. When he pulled away, his hand remained in her hair as he stared at her intensely.

“I love you. She won’t be here long, I promise. It’s long over between us. You know that right? You trust me?” She nodded. “Say it!”

“I trust you.”

Miller released her and watched her get inside the elevator. The look Hadley gave him as the doors closed told him she doubted him. Infuriated, he marched into his office and slammed the door.

“What the hell are you doing here? I thought you were happy playing sex slave with some Saudi Sheik?”

Theresa stood and rushed to her husband. She threw her arms around his neck. Miller’s arms stayed firmly at his side. He had no affection to show the woman he’d wasted years with.

“Oh, Miller. It was awful. He was a horrible man. I was forced to write that letter to you. He found a letter I wrote begging you to come get me, that I loved you. He was furious. He chained me up like a dog and treated me cruelly. One of his wives helped me escape.”

“Sounds like you got everything you always wanted. I’m sure it was quite a rush. Now, what do you want?”

Though harsh, her being here irritated him and upset Hadley.

“How can you say that? Being dominated sexually is about trust and knowing the person would never hurt you, like it was when I was with you.”

“Wrong! Asking me to participate hurt me, but you never cared. Our relationship was always about you.”

“That isn’t true.”

“Are you trying to convince me or yourself?”

Theresa looked down, because the lack of love in Miller’s eyes hurt her.

“You love me.”

“I thought I did once. I will always care about you, but those feelings don’t extend beyond friendship. I had my own issues, things that led me to love saving you, but our relationship was toxic. It was never going to last.”

“But, I need you.”

Theresa tried for desperate. It usually worked.

“No. You
need
to get help.”

“You fucking asshole. You’re playing house with that girl! Do you think it’s going to last? That is not a woman capable of fulfilling your needs.”

“Get out!”

Miller gripped her roughly by the arm, digging into skin, and shoved her toward the door.

“You’re hurting me.”

“You know nothing of my needs or Hadley.” Miller released her arm and opened the door. “I’d like you to leave. My lawyer will be in touch soon.”

“I don’t think so, baby.” Theresa slammed the door and jabbed a long red fingernail into his chest. “After everything we’ve been through together, you’re not going to dismiss me so cold-heartedly. Have your lawyer call me? Come on, Miller, what is going on? This isn’t you.”

“How do you know who I am? Our entire marriage you tried to make me someone I’m not. I’m finally happy. I love Hadley, and who I am is a man that is not going to let you trash the woman I love. You need to leave.”

“You’re serious. Holy shit! You’re finally going to divorce me. Are you going to marry her? She’s so young and…” Theresa stopped before she said something to ensure Miller threw her out. “Honestly, how long have you known this girl? How do you know she’s not after your money?”

His eyes narrowed in warning.

“She’s not a gold digger!”

“How do you know that? What can you possibly know about her after what, a few months?”