He turned onto Star Island and passed the gates of the community. He continued to his house and saw the heavy presence of Morgan Security as they drove through the black gates.
He parked his car in his usual spot as if nothing had happened and the window was still there as he tried to smile.
Natalie waited for him to open her door and they walked inside together. He locked the door and for the first time in hours, he could breathe easier now that they were home. Here she was physically safe, though once they talked about love, he needed her to keep her physical safety a priority and get her to stay. If she demanded to run like his sister-in-laws had done, he wasn’t sure what he’d do. He’d overseen the installation of various home security measures himself. This house was good, but his mind raced as he locked the door behind them and double checked the locks.
Hopefully Natalie was reasonable when they talked about impossible love. His dramatic mother had often flown off the handle, but hopefully Natalie remained different. Between his ex and his mother though, he expected the unexpected.
Once inside, Natalie bee-lined for the couch and kicked off her shoes. “I’m glad we’re home.”
Right. It was time to start the talk they needed to have, but first he needed to ensure she understood facts. “And we’re not leaving again until we have all the answers.”
She nodded and closed her eyes while lying further back against a cushion. “Sounds good.”
Today had been a trying day. Perhaps he could wait on the talk. He stood to get them both a glass of wine, when security called him. He glanced out the window and saw a gray SUV stopped outside the gate. He answered the phone. “What’s going on?”
Natalie opened her eyes and met his.
The guard then said, “Your ex-wife is here to see you.”
“My ex-wife, Alison?”
“Yes sir.”
The last person he’d ever want to see. His blood ran cold, but he took a deep breath. It was best to see Alison and then send her on her way. Confrontation always worked best with her. so he straightened his shoulders and said, “Buzz her in.”
Natalie looking like the angel she’d always been stood beside him, just as his ex-wife, the banshee appeared outside. Natalie walked with him to the door. Delays weren’t good. He picked up his phone to check the front door that was ten feet from them. “I don’t know why she’s here.”
“I’m here, too. Let’s invite her in and see what she wants.”
Good. They were on the same page. He nodded, pocketed his phone and opened the door. There on the front step was his ex. He stared into the green eyes of a woman he hadn’t wanted to see in years. “Alison?”
He’d not seen her since she left their condo in New Orleans and never returned.
Natalie extended her hand to shake Alison’s. It took Alison a second, but she accepted.
“Natalie, this is my ex-wife.” He took Natalie’s hand away from Alison but kept her hand in his. The spark he felt was too potent right now and he preferred to be alone with Natalie, right now.
Natalie gave him a small smile and nodded. “Do you want me to leave you two alone a few minutes?”
No. That wasn’t what he wanted. Galen was already wondering how fast he could get rid of Alison, but he nodded. “If you don’t mind? But come back at most in five minutes. And can you bring the bottle of wine I was going to get for us?”
A smile grew on her face and she stood on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “No problem. Sounds good. I trust you.”
He waited till she sashayed down the hall. Alison ruined his life once. She’d not do it again, not when he had Natalie.
Natalie lingered in the hall on the way to the wine cellar. She heard Galen usher Alison into the living room where they had just been, and her skin prickled. It was probably jealousy that Alison had Galen first. But she picked up her phone and texted the number on the business card she’d accepted earlier today.Rafe, it’s Natalie. I wanted to tell you that Galen’s ex, Alison, is in our living room.
She slowed her steps because she saw the three dots that indicated a reply was coming.
That’s who the visitor was? I’m running her ID and plates she showed the guards now. Thanks.
Natalie quickly raced to the wine cellar and grabbed a bottle of white from the chilled section, but as she returned she shuffled to a halt.
She heard Alison say, “Galen, I wanted to talk about us.”
The worduswas breathy. Natalie’s spine went rigid as she stepped forward, very quietly.
Galen’s voice was chilled as he countered, “Alison, you left and took the 10 million dollar offer my father gave you.”
