Trapped Into Marriage (22 page)

“Anyway,” Lena went on with a nonchalant shrug, “I soon realized it was just a wasted effort. I mean, instead of forgetting all about her when she vanished, you went on a one-man search. I was furious!”

She laughed heartily once more, shaking her head at him. “I really shouldn’t have bothered. If anything, I only managed to have brought you two closer together. I don’t know what lie you must have told her, but it must have been foolproof.”

Nick buried his face in his hand for some moments. He went over the episode in the garden and knew with a sinking feeling how it must have seemed to Keyonna. He hadn’t been ready to admit his feelings for her then, certainly not to Lena. So he’d played tough, and said things he hadn’t really meant. The old Nick might have meant them, but not the same Nick who’d been twisted up in knots over her since that first reckless kiss they’d shared on that balcony.

Finally he looked up at the smirking Lena, his gaze dark slits of calm wrath. “I hope you’re happy now, Lena. Does it feel good to know you almost succeeded in destroying my chance at happiness?”

Lena pouted, tilting her head to the side as she had the grace to look sorry. And then she sighed. “Look, I’m not really proud of what I did. But you know what they say about a woman scorned. I just refused to believe you didn’t want me anymore. Hell, I was ready to settle for being your mistress; to have that affair with you I denied myself all those years ago when I was married to your father. I should have known you’d never want a part in something that would seem aversive. Especially now that you’re older and wiser. Your loss,” she said casually, adding, “And hey, it’s not like there was any harm done. You’ve got your precious Keyonna back, haven’t you?”

Yes, thought Nick bleakly, but for how long? Until her memory returned and she realized what a complete jerk he’d been on his wedding day? Just thinking about how hurt she’d been – hurt enough to up and leave him that first time – made Nick wary that she might still hold a grudge once she remembered what he’d done. No woman would like to feel like some mere object, or that her feelings didn’t count. But Nick could only hope that Keyonna would understand, and see that he’d changed. And that he’d absolutely fall apart if she ever decided to leave him again….

***

Hours before, Keyonna was ringing the doorbell to the house where Trisha lived with Mark and his aunt.

Keyonna recalled promising herself after the party that she’d never set foot on these grounds again. But ever since her conversation with Natasha all those days ago, Keyonna knew that she just had to see Trisha and maybe some of those missing pieces could start to make sense.

Keyonna hated herself for what she was doing. She shouldn’t have come here. She’d assured Nick so many times that it didn’t matter. Her memory would return in due course. And if not, then whatever. Her life was perfect now, why worry about a closed chapter when a new one was already being written? She had a wonderful marriage to a gorgeous, sexy and adoring man. Her career was at its heights, and she had nothing holding her back from true happiness.

Well, except for the niggling sensation she kept having every waking moment. She couldn’t keep her mind on work, and at night when Nick lay asleep next to her, she couldn’t shake off the flashing images that somehow, made her flinch as they tried to pierce through.

So she swallowed any notion of dread and waited on that doorstep, not sure who was going to show up. If it was Mark, well she had nothing to say to him, or his snobbish aunt. As for Trisha, Keyonna just wanted them to talk. She just hoped the other girl wouldn’t be in one of those snarky moods of hers…

Moments later the door flew open and Keyonna found herself looking into the narrowed, spiteful gaze that met hers. And in that moment, Keyonna
knew
. Like she’d just been smacked in the face, it hit her. Everything came flooding back in a rush of sights and sounds.

Dazed, Keyonna staggered back.

“Keyonna?” Trisha said, her stony expression turning alarmed.

Keyonna shook off the weakening feeling that wanted to overtake her. She grabbed the door ledge for support, and looked hard at Trisha. “I remember everything now. About how you tried to poison my mind against Nick – you spiteful witch.”

Trisha was staring at her. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

“You can quit pretending,” Keyonna bit out. “It was you who came to me with some bullshit about Nick and his stepmother, so I…followed them and caught them…caught them…”

Keyonna found she couldn’t continue, not with the horrible images swimming before her eyes.

“You caught them,” Trisha sneered. “Caught them doing what? Is that why you’re here, to pick someone to blame for your husband’s indiscretions? Girl, you’re tripping. Look, it ain’t my fault if your man’s a player. I only laid out the facts as I knew them; just so you wouldn’t go thinking Nick was marrying you for any romantic reasons…”

“You’re a liar! Nick loves me,” Keyonna cried out, as if to reassure herself. “And I love him.”

“Just like you loved Mark?” mocked Trisha. “When Mark came to me, broken up about how you turned him down, I wanted to kill you. Who the hell did you think you were, turning down a good man like that after he kept himself all those years to get back to you? I hated you for the shoddy way you treated him just so you could marry your fancy billionaire. When I found out it was Nick Vitale you were hooking up with, I saw a chance of bursting your bubble, especially since I was sure you didn’t know about him and his dad’s trophy wife. So what happened? You caught them both red-handed, huh, and at your own wedding for that matter. That must have sucked! What a perfect revenge.”

Trisha eyed Keyonna, her smile derisive. “Now you know how it is to be on the sideline. But if you’re here to blame me for the collapse of your marriage, then…”

“My marriage hasn’t collapsed!” Yet, Keyonna added silently. “And I only came because I needed to find out what it was we discussed at the reception. Because crazy as it may sound, I had a recent accident which made me lose part of my memory, especially to do with what happened at the wedding reception. But now, seeing you, it all came back in a flash. I’m sure you must have heard of my disappearance.”

“Yeah, I heard. I wasn’t surprised,” Trisha said scornfully. “Nick and his people tried to act like it was something planned, but I could read between the lines. I knew you’d upped and run for some reason. And I thought, how typical of you. I guess hurting people is your stock in trade.”

“Oh? I thought it was
yours
,” Keyonna retorted. “Let me clear the air about one thing at least. About Mark; if you must know, I really liked him. Loved him even. But not in the way he wanted. And now, all I can do is pity him if it’s someone like you he ever ends up saddled with.”

“Save your pity for yourself,” Trisha spat, but Keyonna was already turning and walking back down to where her car was parked, legs shaky but heart feeling strangely light. Now all she had to worry about was the next move to take…

***

Keyonna stepped out of the elevator and unto Nick’s floor, where his secretary Brenda was working on her computer.

“Hello, is Nick in?” Keyonna asked and to her surprise, the bespectacled brunette looked up with a guilty start.

“Mrs. Vitale! Ah, yes…he’s in but he’s um…”

As the secretary blubbered on, Keyonna became suspicious. She’d only ever shown up at Nick’s office twice; both times on his invitation to meet for lunch. Those visits had been planned – this was not. But what could be making Brenda’s face flush so deeply?

Without another word, Keyonna walked to the door of Nick’s office, ignoring the secretary’s, “Mrs. Vitale, please…”

***

Inside, Nick was trying to get Lena to leave. He was done talking.

“Get out,” he said in a quietly menacing voice. “Get the hell out of here; out of my life. You’ve had your fun.”

Lena’s eyes sparked defiance. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily.” And then her expression softened to genuine hurt. “We’re family, Nick. And we’re supposed to stick together. I’m sorry if I caused you pain. I’m willing to make it up to you. Anything you want.”

She moved closer to him, resting her hands on his suited shoulders.

Nick had reached beyond the limits of his self-control. At that moment he could gladly wring Len’s neck, but instead settled for grabbing hold of her arms. Fuck security. He was looking forward to throwing her out himself.

“
Nick
,” Lena said, aghast. He could tell she was surprised by his uncharacteristic lack of cool. He’d never, ever laid hands on a woman the way he wanted to do to Lena right then. She’d manipulated his life far too long. He could feel her fingers clutch tightly to his lapels, as if intent to forestall the embarrassment of being flung out of his office. Too late, Nick fumed, readying to do just that.

Just then, the door sprang open.

Keyonna stood there, looking on the scene with widened eyes. Nick cursed beneath his breath as he met her shocked gaze. He could only imagine how this must look.
Dios!
Him and Lena, caught tightly in each other’s arms. Great, just great. Fate was intent on raining crap on him.

But before he could explain to the frozen Keyonna, she turned from them with a sob and stumbled quickly back, heading straight for the elevator.

Nick shoved the clinging Lena abruptly from him, and went right after Keyonna, who’d just sped past his wide-eyed secretary. Nick saw Keyonna enter the elevator doors which already started to close after her just as he reached them.

“Keyonna, wait!” Nick said, just as the twin doors slid to a close. On an oath, he made for the stairs, intent on one thing: getting her to listen to his explanation.

“Dammit, Keyonna, stop!” he said under his breath when, on reaching the ground floor parking lot, he saw her already driving off. There was no way he could go after her now, not with his own car in his private garage.

“Great!” he let out in frustration. He could just imagine what she must have concluded with him locked in another woman’s grip, but…

He stopped short as he recalled the expression on Keyonna’s face as she’d stood there.

Maybe he was just being fanciful…but it sure seemed as if she’d
known
. Remembered everything. Her eyes had held the look that said she’d seen this before.

The thought wanted to make him go crazy.

It was bad enough being caught in a compromising situation with another woman, but did Keyonna recognize Lena from the wedding reception? Was that it? Could that be the reason for the look of betrayal on her face, like he’d let her down somehow?
Again?

Fuck! Nick smashed his fist into the nearby concrete wall, not even flinching at the pain. He would have to find her, he swore. And prayed it wasn’t too late to set the records straight.

***

The evening gloom had long settled by the time Keyonna pulled to a stop in front of their home.

Drawing deep breaths, she let herself in quietly. She knew Nick had to be in; she’d seen his car in the driveway. Her chest thumped as she moved towards his study, the only room which was lit in the whole dim, silent house.

The light flooding from the study’s open doorway fell on the darkened corridor as she advanced with noiseless steps.

She found Nick seated at his desk, head buried in his folded arms. The dejected picture he made cut her straight to the chest. He hadn’t noticed her presence, and she couldn’t stop the soft call that spilled from her lips in the hope of catching his attention before she came any closer.

“Nick…”

His head shot up at the sound of her voice and she drew in air at the pain mirrored in his eyes – soon replaced by one of relief at the sight of her.

“Keyonna…
Dios
. I was so worried you’d run off again,” he rasped, up on his feet and then closing the space between them before she could even blink. Keyonna was engulfed in his warm embrace as he squeezed her tight.

“I’m sorry if I got you worried,” she said quietly. “I just needed time to think things over.”

Nick drew back, holding her at arm’s length and quelling her to meet his gaze. “Before you say anymore, you need to know this:
I love you
. More than I ever thought it possible to love anyone in my life. Forget what you saw or heard that day in the garden at the reception…”

Keyonna stared up at him, stiffening. “How did you know I’ve got my memory back?”

“You still don’t understand it, do you, how attuned I’ve become to your emotions, your expressions?” Nick asked with a gentle smile, combing his fingers through her loose, tousled locks. “I
sensed
something was different; the way you looked when you stood there earlier today….” He shook his head with a grimace. “Part of me is happy that you’re okay now, but if it’s going to change the way you feel about me…”

At his words, she pulled out of his hold, feeling his reluctance to let her go even as she slipped away to stand by the window, looking out.