Chapter 18 Clean A Mess

Chapter 18 Clean A Mess


Rinoa / Sloane 

He slept so soundly beside me, amidst all the chaos. The dust had settled on what was due. People were aware now.

I’m the wife of Cillian King Montgomery.

I’ll be the laughingstock for a while—the whore who banged her boss in the workplace. My quiet movements let him sleep more, but I was bound to a mission.

To clear my husband’s name and reputation.

I pulled Cillian’s hoodie out of his closet. I moved like a thief, careful not to make a sound.

I managed to leave the estate without anyone seeing me, dialing Stacey’s number as I drove.

“Hello?” She picked up almost right away. I woke her. 

“Meet me at our usual place. I’ll be there at ten.” I pressed harder on the gas.

“Okay, be safe,” she said. My hands were sweating in agony. Please let Cillian through the night without finding out I was gone. 

I caused a scandal—a taint on the honorable heir of the Montgomery bloodline.

I arrived at the pizza place, my secret hideout.

“Chica, is that you?” Luis, the owner, greeted me with excitement and a warm hug.

“Sì, Luis, ¿cómo estás?” I answered, gathering his bulky body into my arms.

“Oh, I’m good! I was wondering when you’d show up. You’re everywhere, Chica. What happened?”

I offered him a faint smile. “I married a wealthy man, just like you wanted me to.”

He let out a belly laugh. “But not this soon! Is Stacey coming?” His Spanish accent rolled sweetly through the air.

“She’s on her way. Can you bake me your garlic bread and that bolognese sauce?”

“I thought you wouldn’t ask.” He vanished into the kitchen while I waited for Stacey.

My anxiety was skyrocketing. Even Luis had heard about my marriage to Cillian. He had a valid point—it was too soon for people to find out.

The life I’d built apart from him was fading away.

A blind leap I had to trust. Maybe everything that was happening had a purpose.

“Slo!” The chime of the door and her voice shattered my loneliness.

I loved this girl. Stacey wore designer coordinates that matched her striking eyes, and heels sharp enough for crime scenes.

She planted a kiss on my cheek. “Luis, make the order for two!” she yelled in her obnoxious, high-pitched tone.

Her presence brought calm to my frantic soul.

“Already did!” Luis shouted back.

“Look at you, Ms. Incognito. Alright, I see you.”

I tilted my head at her witty remarks—her usual attempt to lighten the mood.

“Stay. I’m famous,” I told her, and she pulled a comic grimace.

“Welcome to the club, sister,” she teased. Oh gosh, how I missed this.

I missed her.

“On a serious note,” she said, “are you alright? Is he being nice to you?”

I blushed. “He’s being nice so far—”

“No way. You had sex with him? Slo!”

My mouth dropped open at her vulgar sentiment.

“Of course not, no!” I shook my head, a total lie and denial.

“Girl, it’s written all over your face!” she taunted. Was I that obvious?

“There’s no shame in that—he’s your husband.”

“Fake husband,” I corrected.

She stuck her tongue out at me like a child.

Luis looked back at us, reminiscing. “You two still take care of each other. Remember that day Stacey confessed her first love, and you told her to have courage?”

Stacey and I stuffed our mouths with his phenomenal food.

“This is fantastic,” I exclaimed.

“Luis, you just brought back some memories I’d rather forget forever,” Stacey said, sounding like Cookie Monster.

Fun days, but over.

“How are you enjoying the limelight, my dear friend?” she asked, licking sauce off her fingers.

“That’s why you’re here. I need help,” I confessed. This was my mess—the least I could do was clean it up.

“Darling, I know I’m an icon, but you’re married to God—or at least a powerful, rich man. If you need help, he’s your best shot.”

But I’d already caused too much trouble for Cillian. I couldn’t drag his name deeper into the mud.

“I just need to help him,” I said, reaching for her hand. “Please.”

The door chimed again.

Cillian, with a man I didn’t know, barged into the pizza parlor.

Busted. 

“Sorry, gentlemen, we’re closed. Come back—”

“What the hell were you thinking? Jumping the gate and leaving like that?” Cillian’s furious voice filled the room.

“Oh, holy smokes! Cillian King Montgomery!” Stacey blurted. “I’m Stacey Monroe, Sloane’s best friend.”

My husband gave a frustrated grunt.

“You’re Stacey Monroe? The president’s daughter?” the man beside him asked, eyes wide.

“And you are?” Stacey challenged.

“Silvanus Henderson,” he said.

Luis came out wielding a sharp knife. “Leave my ladies alone!”

All our attention snapped to him. Stacey burst into laughter.

“Oh god, we're in trouble. I appreciate the gesture, Luis, but Cillian is Sloane’s husband, and that man beside him is a fine specimen, but a stranger. Calm the fuck down.”

“Sì, Luis, drop the knife. You’re scaring me,” I added.

“Lo siento.” Luis disappeared into the kitchen, leaving us to talk.

“Care to answer me now, wife?” Cillian demanded, hands on his hips, sweat glistening on his forehead.

Did he run for me?

“How did you find me?” I matched his glare. I lived throughout eternity. If I could weave in time, I could help him get this sorted out. 

If he was mad, so was I. This was my life too.

My last life.

“How could you act so stupid? What if you fell from that height? You’re going to be the death of me, flower.” His voice dripped with frustration, yet every word was wrapped in worry.

Stacey squealed like she was watching a romantic movie, while Cillian wouldn't stop glaring at me. 

He was so feral, like he could skin someone alive: 

“Let’s go home,” I said, already embarrassed enough for the night.

“Fine, but we’re not done talking. Silvanus, take care of her friend.”

“I got her. Sloane, I hope we met in better circumstances. It's still nice to meet you.” He offered me an apologetic look. 

“Likewise, please take my friend home,” I told him politely. 

He gave his handsome friend a tap on the shoulder.

Stacey leaned close, giving me a tight squeeze. “Call me anytime, anywhere, and I’ll be there,” she whispered.

“Thank you.”

Cillian and I walked side by side.

The moment I entered his car, he pulled me close, breathing me in.

“Don’t you dare leave me again, Sloane.”

Oh, I wouldn’t even try. My fate was sealed.

I existed to be trapped in your web, Cillian.
Perhaps I should start accepting that.