Judas (28 page)

“She's just simple, Anita. Nothing wrong with normal people,” he said absently, oblivious to the point she was about to make.

She shoved a small bite of meat in her mouth and chewed, fully disgusted that there was even a need for this conversation. “I don't give a damn about her breeding. I give a damn about her secrets and her lies.” There. She said it.

He made a face. One that silently questioned her sanity for the statement. “Secrets? Lies? What could she possibly have to hide? Or to lie about? She's of fantastic character,” he said, set to defend the little mouse.

“You're blind, Phillip. Just like you have always been.” She picked up her corgi, feeding the dog directly from her plate.

He shook his head in confusion, dropping his fork on his plate and reaching for the cloth napkin that rested on his leg. “Then fill me in. I don't know what you're talking about,” he said, wiping his mouth.

“Where do I begin? With the Carter girl, or with the Verino woman? Or, we can talk about her new hobby of getting sloshed and seducing your son.” His eyes grew wide. Finally an acceptable response. She watched him choke on her words, delighting in the value of his surprise.

“Oh yes, I know all about Jaime Carter and the baby she carries. Judas has no idea. It seems his wife has threatened the girl if she comes forward,” she said, spilling the words as if it were someone else's gossip. She wasted no time, filling him in on every detail of what she knew about the fraud who was her son's wife. The only missing piece of the puzzle was what role the Verino woman had played in all of this and what she knew about the night her grandson died.

It was another conversation Anita had overheard between the two women and whatever it was they discussed, it had to do with the night her grandson was born and it was serious
. As for her drinking and carrying on with Liam, that was a whole different matter.

It was something that Judas and his
brother would sort for themselves if Judas were to find out on his own. Anita wasn't prepared to interfere, knowing what effect it might have on Judas when it all played out. She wasn't a fool. She knew which cards to hold and which to fold and some hands, she just couldn't win. She would choose wisely where her bets were placed. She stroked the soft fur of her prized pooch, hugging the yapping mutt to her chest.

“I think our best course is obvious. We can't tell him about any of this,” Phillip finally said, after processing the information he was given. He was quieter and gentler, but Phillip meant business when it came to his sons and she knew that this would be one time she could trust him.

“No, but we can allow him to finish his treatment, and meanwhile, we will keep an eye on the woman,” she suggested.

He furrowed his brows, considering the situation. “She's moving out. I suppose you have a plan?”

She laughed, waving him off. “Of course I do. You just go on back to your... well, whatever it is that you do, and leave this to me.”

He nodded and stood to leave the dining room, already lost in his thoughts.

“And Phillip,” she called, stopping him before he disappeared, “Don't think you can hide anything from me. There is nothing I don't know.”

He nodded without humor. “I'm picking up on that.”

“Good. I'm sharing this with you is because I need you to be alert and not falling for her lies. She will hang herself soon enough and Judas will need you to make everything better again. Just as you always have.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Four months came and went before he knew it. He felt better with all the knowledge of his condition that had finally been diagnosed, and took comfort in the fact that he wasn't alone. What bothered him was that he wouldn't know if it had done a bit of good until he was back in the real world and applying the techniques he had practiced so vigorously while he was away.

He was disappointed that he couldn't tell her he was a changed man, but he was hopeful and determined like never before and he would do all he could to be sure that the mistakes of the past were never repeated. He was shocked to learn that he had not only one issue, but two. The psychiatrist told him very clearly that he was suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He had never considered that before because his life had been mainly uneventful until his symptoms began when he was a child. Unfortunately, his way of handling the situation had caused another complication to the healing process he needed to go through in order to find peace within.

He was now a recovering sex addict. He understood now how using sex as a crutch, and as a power tool to control his PTSD symptoms, he was throwing himself into the fire, and actually harming himself more than it would ever help. What they were not able to define was a specific incident that had caused him to suppress the memory, but he was certain that they were right. He learned that with time, and the proper treatment, he may eventually recall what it was that lurked in his
sub-conscience, but in the mean-time, it would still be there, seeking to devour him at any moment.

They also helped him accept that such a revelation might never come. He decided to put it out of his mind, and live his life productively, one day at a time, and allow the past to heal itself. If he never knew the cause of all of this, he would be just fine. He had found peace, just knowing that he was not the monster he had somehow convinced himself to be. Dr. Wyndham had finally given him what he needed all along. A diagnosis, a plan, and a path. It was time to go home.

              He couldn't wait to see his wife, and their new home, and tell her everything he had learned. The plan for his first day was to catch up with his wife, and then the second day, he would begin to use some techniques that would help keep him from being on edge. He also learned a new way to handle his triggers when they happened, and he was assured that at some point, those would begin again. He wasn't afraid. He felt empowered and at ease for the first time in his life.

             
He pulled into the small drive, taking in the scenery around him, in the quaint little neighborhood. It suited them, he thought. It was pleasant, and serene, yet there was a busy bustle along the palm lined street as children played in front yards and fathers washed their cars in the driveways.

He could easily see himself being such a father, but he had no children, and probably never would. It was one of the hardest things for him to swallow, but he finally had.

He was finished putting himself through the torture and it wasn't worth the price that was ultimately paid. It no longer mattered, because he was home, and he had a wife and a family to catch up with.

             
She was standing in the living room when he came through the door and she nearly fainted at the sight of him. She leaped into the air, clearing the sofa as she threw herself into his arms. “Welcome home! I've missed you so much!” She was clinging to him as he stood there, holding her tight against him.

“I missed you too,” he told her before leaning in to kiss her deeply for the first time in way too long. She showed him around the new place, excitedly dragging him from room to room, showing him all the amenities that came with the simple home. It was smaller, but cozy, and he thought it was perfect for them. She did well.

              He took her to dinner at a well-known place in the middle of town, and both of them were focused only on each other as they waited for their mail. She was dressed to kill in a dress he'd never seen before and her nails and hair were impeccable. Florida looked good on her, he had to admit. The deep tan she acquired was a startling contrast to the creamy pale features he remembered. She was a whole new woman, and she was just as stunning as ever, and the dim chandelier that hung overhead only dramatized the effect.

She fidgeted through dinner, chatting happily but she started to seem distracted and he wondered if she was uncomfortable in the lavish setting. She checked the clock religiously every little while, and he chalked the entire scene up to nerves. Even though they hadn't been there earlier. The conversation turned to his treatment and he quietly spoke of some of the things he had learned. It wasn't the time or place to go into great detail, but what he told her was enough, and he knew she was pleased that he had made at least some progress.

He asked about his brothers and if she had kept in touch, and she nodded, telling him that Mathew had called to check on her every few weeks. He figured that would be the case but he was surprised to learn that she hadn't spoken to Liam since the night at the bar. It was out of character for him, but Judas was proud that his brother had kept his hands to himself. Liam never meant any harm, but he wasn't like the rest of them. He was a man who learned to survive, and feelings and emotions were rarely shown, and if they were, it was usually because someone had pissed him off.

Liam had no moral structure other than what he had taught himself, and despite their father's attempts to teach him, Liam always resisted. However, he trusted his wife and never believed she would betray him by falling for Liam's advances. Adessa loved him and it just wasn't in her to do such a thing.

He had a whole new course and he was ready to face his future.
He had home, family, and hope. It was enough for him.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Chandler Lacey-Payne is a pseudonym for Kate Lacey-Payne, who lives in Batesville, Indiana, with her husband and four teenage children. In her spare time, she enjoys several online games, including WoW, LoL,
Minecraft, Secondlife, and many more. If you enjoyed this novel, please consider leaving a review and don’t forget to click to rate it on the next page.

Don’t forget to
look for the sequel, which is coming soon, with many more surprises and possible happy endings. Who knows? I may even tell you the story of Liam and Mathew.

For questions, comments, or inquiries, Ms. Lacey-Payne can be reached at
[email protected]
.
Also look for her on facebook   using the following links

https://www.facebook.com/chandler.laceypayne?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Judas/591030427606080