CHAPTER 31

My mind was chock-full of her whispers, and the knot in my head just wouldn't subside. My head just couldn't be put to rest. My brain was like a hornet's nest, full of schemes and mixed emotions. She was trying to come between me and Natalie, to ruin whatever chance we might have to be happy. And the worst part of this all: I know she could do it.

I sat in my chair, head in my hands, fingers clawing through my hair in frustration. My mind raged in a whirl of a series of angry thoughts mixed with fear. I could never let Arlys anywhere near Natalie. I could not let her destroy what little progress we had actually made.

But how could I lead Natalie away from such a vindictive and manipulative character as Arlys without entirely turning her off?

I almost remembered what she was like the night before, seeing me, really hearing me talk for the first time. Just for an instant there, it almost felt as if we were finally in tune with one another, finally getting each other. Everything is at stake now, though, all because of Arlys.

I needed to speak to Natalie, to warn her about Arlys, and not to believe one word that came out of that woman's mouth. But how would it take her? Would she believe it or just think I was working too hard to cover my screwups?

I was left with doubts, but one thing I was sure: I wasn't supposed to let them paralyze me. I was supposed to do something, find a way to protect what's mine.

I exhaled, and arose; I needed to be near Natalie to speak face-to-face. Perhaps, if I just laid it all out honestly, she could see, and we could find a way to fight this thing together.

Only, as I walked forward toward the car, that sense of dread in the bottom of my stomach just would not go away. Arlys would do so with Natalie, but she certainly could easily screw up everything I was trying to fix.

I couldn't stop rolling over in my mind all the trouble Arlys had listed, easy fixes, of all I had on with Natalie.

The last thing I wanted was some Arlys-made disaster to wreck our fragile slice of paradise, and I motored off to the soft, catlike purring of my engine, barely covering the sounds in my head.

I figured she'd be at work. Yep, she'd be sitting there in her office, no doubt, finding ways to keep herself busy and not focus on what's wrong with our marriage.

If she was capable, I could make sure Arlys knew what she was capable of, so she wouldn't ensnare herself further into the trap. Easier said than done. It's really easy from outside perspectives.

The blur of the drive to the restaurant passed super fast. Images of Natalie's face flushing flashed in my head, my thoughts moving far faster than this car. I parked my car, rushed out, and into the restaurant.

My eyes roved over the property and I half expected her to be lurking around in the shadows of the property somewhere in hiding.

But she wasn't there, not a hair's flicker of her just the usual buzz of workers and patrons milling around, acting out their daily routines. I opened the door and entered. My nostrils were attacked by that all-too-familiar scent, that aroma of the restaurant's food.

Instead of entering Natalie's office immediately, I ground to an unsteady stop when I was faced with a wide view that made my blood run cold. Arlys stepped from the building and walked across to the parking lot with her head held high and an almost self-satisfied smirk playing at the corner of her lips.

Our eyes met for the briefest moment, and what I saw was smugness in her eyes. She'd said something, done something to Natalie, and she was quite obviously well-pleased about it all.

Anger unfurled in my chest, and I advanced on her. "What in hell are you doing here, Arlys?" I demanded, in low dulcet notes, full of menace.

She turned to face me squarely, looking as innocent as she could. "Just having lunch," she said carelessly as she shrugged, yet another tale told in the glint of her avid eye. "It's a restaurant, for Christ's sake. What can it possibly do to have me here?"

"There are many other restaurants, why does it have to be this one?" I snarled. "I told you to keep away from Natalie."

Arlys glowed, a reprobate gleam lighting up her eyes. "I was just saying hello. That's not a crime, is it?"

I lost my temper. "If you think for one second that I'm going to put up with your crap where Natalie's concerned, you've got another thing coming, Arlys. Take this as a final warning. Lay off, or you're going to regret it."

She cocked her head and went cold. "You can't control everything, Brandon. You can't tell me what to do. But I'll tell you this much, I'm not going down without a fight. And if that means I need to take your little wife down with me, then so be it."

"You won't win," I spit out, although the threat did have me breaking out in shivers. "Natalie's stronger than you give her credit for."

"Is she?"

"Arlys," I goaded, moving closer, my voice a seductive whisper.

"Or is she another pawn in your little game?" Like I was?" she continued

"Enough," I hissed, hands balled into fists at my sides. "No more games, Arlys. This is your last warning. Leave us alone, or you'll be the one who'll have regrets."

Her eyes hardened. "Oh, you'll regret this, Brandon.. you'll regret sending me away. I could have been everything you ever wanted, but this is whom you chose, to be with her."

And I'm going to make sure you pay for that mistake. With that, she spun on her heel and stalked off toward her car, her high heels clicking against the pavement.

Unspecified, My heart pounded high within my chest, and a combination of anger and fear was swirling around inside of me as I watched her go.