Wrapped in armor, p.2
Wrapped In Armor, page 2
It’s been months since I heard him call me Mrs. Hines, and it literally steals my breath.
“Are you all right?” he asks again as I try to rein it in
“It’s just …” I shake my head. “Never mind.”
“No. What is it?” Clive asks.
“You called me Mrs. Hines, and you haven’t in months.” My voice breaks.
“I’m sorry I’ve upset you—”
“It didn’t upset me. It—”
“It’ll be okay. You’re going to be fine.”
I clear the emotion from my throat. “I’m sorry. Please enjoy the rest of your trip. Don’t worry about us. We’re fine, and if London has her way, Rupert will be speaking full sentences and smiling so much his face hurts by the time you come home.”
“See you soon, Mrs. Hines,” Clive says before ending the call.
With each day, Rupert becomes more and more irritable. I wonder if it has been the amount of calls he’s taken, and if they have anything to do with what I said to Clive.
He now insists on taking us everywhere, even to the store for milk. He constantly asks where we’re going when I take the girls out to the backyard. And when I run, he follows me in the car. He has begun to smile less, which means almost never. Poor London will tell him jokes, and he forces himself to turn his lips slightly up, but she knows he’s being insincere. Luckily, we find amusement in it.
Chapter 2
Walking into my parents’ home prior to dropping Lexington off with Mom before heading in to work, I find Dad frantically trying to zip up his overnight bag.
“Where are you going?” I ask as I greet him with a hug.
He gives me a quick hug in return then promptly continues fusing over his bag. “I have a few things to tie up in England. I left in a hurry, and I need to make things right.”
“What sort of things?” I ask, feeling my anxiety rise.
He turns and smiles gently, obviously sensing that. “Just some papers to sign that didn’t get done before I left.” He bends down and kisses a sleeping Lexington’s cheek. Then he gives me a hug as Mom walks out. He hugs her next then walks to the door before turning back and looking at me. “I’ll see you soon, Princess.”
“Mom, is everything all right?” I ask.
“Just your father never wanting to leave anything undone.” She smiles as she bends down and unhooks Lexi’s buckles. Picking her up and holding her to her chest, she whispers, “I’d like us girls to go to the spa tomorrow. I haven’t had pretty feet in months, and I’m sure you, Elizabeth, London, and maybe even baby Lexi all deserve a treat.”
Elizabeth was released a couple weeks ago. Mom and Dad are thrilled, and I am happy for them, but she seems off to me, really off. But, considering what she has been through, and that she vaguely remembers our parents and has said she has no recollection of me, I understand. And, as a parent, I would move heaven and earth to help my child, no matter the age or circumstance. So, again, I understand. I’m just not sure she and I will ever connect. I will own that I am going through my own kind of trauma, so maybe … just maybe …
“Why don’t you and Elizabeth go together? You’ve had to share her with Dad and now have a chance to spend some time with just you two?”
“No, I want us all to go. Please, Emma,” Mom asks, and I consider she may need me there for support.
“Of course, Mom, if it means that much to you,” I smile then look toward Elizabeth.
“Good Morning, Emma,” Elizabeth says, entering the room, her tone cool and detached.
I smile. “Good morning. You look great.”
And she does. She’s like one of those reality TV women who looks like she’s done up like they’re going on a photoshoot when the reality is she’s going to do … coffee.
She smiles, and it’s blatantly fake.
Push past it, Emma, I tell myself as I lean over and kiss Lexi’s cheek. “All right, Lexi, you’re going to stay with Grandma and your aunt for a while. I love you more, baby girl. See you soon.”
I turn and walk to the door, open it, and step outside. When I reach back to close the door, Elizabeth steps out behind me and closes it.
“Have a fabulous day, princess.” The way she says it is clearly venomous, and she’s made it impossible to ignore.
I turn and look at her. “Do you need something, Elizabeth?”
“Well, princess, whatever could I need?” She looks around, and then her eyes meet mine, full of malice. “Maybe I could shadow you and, someday, I could become just like you, the perfect little princess.”
Apparently, I was not reading the room wrong, I think as I damn near bite my tongue off.
“Neither of us asked for any of this to happen. But you’re home, you’re my sister. I’ve literally known you all my life, and because of that, I love you, Elizabeth. I’m sorry for all that you have been—”
“You’re sorry? You had a perfect life and parents who treat you like royalty. You look at me as if I’m a cautionary tale. I’ve had a life, and that life involved your—”
No, nope, not today.
“Elizabeth, I think you—”
“You think, Emma? You think yet can’t speak the truth. You can’t stand that I’m here, taking time away from you and them. Do you have any idea what I lived, Emma, do you? I was taken from my family and shipped in a fucking box overseas. I was drugged and passed around to be fucked by every sick bastard who had enough money. I was a child! I didn’t deserve that. I’m a used-up, disgusting whore, and all of you look at me like that every fucking day I’ve been here! I would go back there in an instant if I could. At least I felt wanted and desired. Here, I’m a burden, a pathetic whore for you to all look down on!”
“I’ve never thought of you that way, Elizabeth. You were a child, a victim, and I’m truly sorry if I made you feel that way.” Tears burn my eyes, and I step toward her to give her a hug.
She steps back and looks at me, repulsed. “Kill the dramatics, Emma. You blame me for your husband’s disappearance. You hate that I’m here and he’s not, don’t you?”
I slam my lips shut.
“Answer me, princess!”
“That’s not fair, Elizabeth. That’s completely unfair. I love my husband, and I love you. I’m angry and hurt that he’s not here. I’m trying the best I can to keep it together. I don’t blame you.” I slap away the tears starting to fall.
“You’re a fucking liar!”
Throwing my hands in the air, I yell back, “I’m a mess; that’s what I am! I’m trying to keep it together for my children, just like our parents did for me when we thought you were dead. I think I’m doing as well as can be expected. And you, Elizabeth, you’re drug-free and home, where you have people who love and adore you. They will give anything to help you start over and have the life they have given you back. This between us needs to stop. I can’t take anymore, and you deserve so much better than—”
“We need to go soon, or you’ll be late, Mrs. Hines,” I hear Rupert say from behind me.
At the same time, Mom walks out of the house. “Enough, girls, that’s enough.” She immediately begins to cry, and so does Lexi.
I reach out for my sweet little girl and take her. “It’s all right, love. Mommy’s got you.” I kiss her cheek then look at Rupert.
“Could you please get her things? She’s not staying here.”
“Emma.” The hurt in Mom’s voice breaks my heart.
I look back and nod. “It’s okay. I’ve got this covered. I’m sorry for whatever it is I did, Elizabeth. I love you both.”
After I am in the car and Lexington Grace has calmed down, I dial Lila.
“Emma?”
“Are you incredibly busy?”
“Never too busy for you.”
“Great. How would you like to hang out with your goddaughter for the day?”
“I’d love to.” She pauses as I hold Lexington to my chest. “Emma, are you crying?”
“I really don’t have time to …” I clear my throat. “We’ll talk after work, okay?”
“Maybe you should take the day off. Come here—”
“I appreciate it, Lila, but I need to try to make a new normal.”
“I’ll meet you at your house, but it’s okay to—”
“Love you, Lila. I’m okay. See you soon.”
I hang up the phone and hit the button to lower the privacy window. “Rupert, I’m going to need to take my car to work. I need you to stay at my parents whenever Lexi’s there.”
“No, ma’am, I’m to stay with you.”
“I’m in charge here!”
His eyes snap to the rearview.
“I need you to make sure my child is safe, do you understand?”
“I do. However—”
“When Clive returns, I’d like you to stay on full-time. I need someone to watch over my children until my sister stops her hateful behavior toward me. But, for now, they need you while I’m at work. Until my father returns, starting today, I need you to watch over my mother, without her or Elizabeth being aware of that.”
He nods.
Walking into the house, I kick my heels off, shut the door, lean against it, and sigh. My phone rings immediately.
I reach in my pocket, pull it out, and answer with, “I’m home, Rupert.”
“Miss Lila is napping with Lexington. Your mother changed your spa appointment to this evening.”
“I am not—”
“I have another call to take. Hold, please,” he interrupts me.
Hold, please? I huff to myself.
Holding the phone to my shoulder, I walk to the kitchen and wash my hands.
“Hey,” Lila says, walking into the kitchen. “I thought I heard you come in. You feeling better?”
“I’m better than I was this morning. I went in to see my boss today and asked to be moved to part-time. My focus is shit, and that’s unfair to them.”
“What did she say?” Lila asks, grabbing two bottles of water from the fridge.
“She insisted I stay on full-time and offered to let me work from home.”
“That works.” She hands me one.
Rupert returns to the call. “Ma’am, I’ll pick you and London up before your mother and Elizabeth.”
“I am not …” I stop when I realize he ended the call.
“How rude,” I say, placing my phone on the countertop and looking back at Lila, who is giving me an inquisitive look. “Rupert,” I explain, and she nods because no explanation is needed. “Anyway, working from home …” I shake my head. “I think my last name makes me valuable.”
“That’s great, Emma … or do you need a break? Because I adore Lexi, but she is exhausting.” Lila laughs.
“Teething.” I nod. “And no break needed. I have you.”
“I feel the same.” She looks down. “So, I have some news for you.”
“Good news, I hope?”
“Yes.” She looks up, eyes smiling. “Mark and I are expecting.”
I nearly drop my water as I hurry to hug her. “Congratulations!”
“Thank you. Until Lexington, I hadn’t realized I could do this.”
“You’re really going to be a mommy.” I squeeze her a little tighter.
London was excited about her evening at the spa, so I had to act accordingly. I convinced Lila to join us when Mark called and said he was going to be late.
Feet soaking, I lean over and whisper, “If you want to wax, you better do it now.”
“If you do, I will.” Lila laughed.
I lift a shoulder. “Sure, why not?”
“Has it been hard? I mean, not having sex?” Lila whispers.
“No, I don’t think anyone would ever measure up in skill or size.” I laugh and realize it is going to make me sound like a lunatic, but not caring, I admit, “Besides, I’m waiting for my husband.”
“Maybe you’ll have a Ghost experience like Demi Moore?” Lila jokes.
“Maybe I should buy a pottery wheel.” I wag my brows, and we burst out laughing.
“What are you two laughing about, Mommy?” London asks.
“Brody.”
I catch Elizabeth’s face contort in annoyance as she sucks her teeth.
Sitting at the table, I see lights flickering from outside and stand to look out to see my father’s vehicle pulling up the driveway.
Rupert enters the room, and I look over at him. “It’s my father.”
He nods.
I walk to the front door, attempting to quell any hope that he has information about Brody as I open the door and watch him take the stairs up toward me.
“A whole week away from Mom; how was it?”
He hugs me. “I missed all my girls.”
He takes my hand, walks into the house, and straight toward the living room. His movements are brisk, and my worry rises.
In the living room, he points at the couch. “I need you to sit down and listen to me for a few minutes, all right?”
“You’re scaring me.”
He sits beside me, takes my hand, and smiles an incredibly sad smile.
My heart is beating so fast that I’m sure it’s about to break as tears fill my eyes.
“Princess, Brody’s alive.”
I choke back my tears. “Is he hurt? Is he here?” I jump up to get to the door, to him, but Dad stops me.
“He’s safe and, physically, he’s doing well. He’ll be flying in tomorrow with Clive.”
“I want to talk to him. I need to hear his voice, Dad. Let me get my phone, please.”
“He’s been through a lot, which we need to talk about, okay?”
I pull away and run to grab my phone off the counter with Dad following me.
“Emma, listen, he’s lost some of his memory. He doesn’t remember anything after his divorce.”
I whirl around and hold my hand to my chest. “He doesn’t remember me?”
He shakes his head. “I’m sorry, Emma.”
I bat away my tears. “I don’t care. I want to call him now.”
“There’s more you need to hear, and I have to insist you listen to me before you make that decision.”
“I don’t care. He’s alive, Dad, and I want to hear his voice.”
I watch as Rupert hands him a bag, and anger starts to brew.
“I knew he wasn’t gone, and no one believed me!”
“He was held captive and drugged for almost a year. He’s angry and detoxing. He’s embarrassed about facing his fans and”—he takes my hands— “Brody doesn’t even look the same.”
The severity of what he’s been through causes me to want to throw up, but now is not the time to be weak. “Does he know about Lexi?”
“Yes.”
“Does he know we’re married?”
“He does.”
I move quickly to grab my phone and run to the bathroom to make that call. I will not be stopped.
I sit with my back against the bathroom door and dial Clive.
“Emma?” Clive answers.
“Pleased that I’m Emma now,” I say sharply. “I want to talk to him.”
“You’ll see him tomorrow night. He needs time,” Clive says firmly but softly.
“I knew he was still alive. I don’t care if he doesn’t remember me, but he will. Clive … I need to hear his voice. I need to know that I’m not losing my damn mind.” Tears begin falling harder than they ever have in my life as I sit and wait … and nothing.
I sniff back tears as I wipe my nose. “Fine.” Sniff. “All I wanted was to hear him.”
“Demanding little thing, aren’t you?”
I pull my knees to my chest and smile, even though it hurts so damn bad.
“Did I know this about you before you dragged me to the altar, Emma?” Brody asks, laughing as I take a deep breath. “I certainly have some effect on you, haven’t I? I’ve left you speechless and breathless all at once.”
I lean my head back against the door and whisper, “You have no idea.”
His voice now holds humor as he asks, “You’ve given me a child?”
“Lexington Grace,” I say her name and close my eyes. “She looks just like”—my voice breaks, but I force myself to finish— “you.”
“Do you cry often?” Brody asks, humor having returned.
I answer honestly, “Lately, I have.”
“Well, I hate to disappoint, dear wife, but I’m sure that won’t end anytime soon because I have no bloody clue who you are.” He now seems angry.
“I’m so sorry this happened to you.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll bounce back. It may not be in the direction you want me to go, but it’ll all be sorted.”
I stand and open the door, hearing Lexi crying.
“Is that my child making all that noise?” Brody asks.
“Yes, Lexi’s hungry. Aren’t you, love?” I bend down and pick her up.
“Well now, I’m going to let you quiet her down, and I’m going to pack. Is there anything you would like me to bring you back from London, dear wife? Diamonds, jewels?” he jokes, yet I still know he’s angry.
“Just come back to us safe, please.”
“All right then. What do we say when we end a call?” Brody asks bitterly.
“See you soon,” I tell him with a smile in my voice, happy is coming back.
“See you soon, then,” Brody responds.
“I don’t expect this in return, but … I love you, Brody, more.” I pull Lexi to my chest and thank God that she’ll meet her father as he ends the call.
“Emma, we aren’t finished here,” Dad says as he walks in and hands me a bottle.
“I’m all ears now.”
“He’s not returning to you the same, Emma, and you need to understand a few things.” Dad sits down. “He was held captive, beaten, drugged, and worse. It’ll all more than likely come back, but probably not at a time that’s convenient. And Emma, he will never be the same.”
“I don’t care. You of all people should understand it when I say all that matters is he’s alive.”
Dad closes his eyes tightly and nods once, and then he opens his eyes and continues, “An agent brought him to Clive after finding him in an alley, naked. It was clear Brody disliked the agent, yet he doesn’t remember why. This is very dangerous; you understand that, right?”
