not happy 27
628 Words
Chapter 27
Tony POV
When I pulled up to the front of the packhouse, Catherine was already standing outside, just like I'd asked. The black dress hugged every curve of her body, and the diamond earrings I'd bought months ago completed the look. She looked beautiful. She also looked furious.
I climbed out of the SUV and walked around to the passenger side, opening the door for her. She simply stared at me.
"Aren't you getting in?" I asked.
"I can open my own door."
"I know you can."
"Then why did you?"
"Because I'm trying."
She rolled her eyes before finally sliding into the seat. I shut the door and walked around to the driver's side. The ride was silent.
Neither one of us spoke,The tension between us was thick enough to choke on.
After nearly thirty minutes, I pulled into the city and stopped in front of the most expensive restaurant around. Catherine looked out the window.
"What are we doing here?"
"Eating."
"I already ate."
"I know."
She frowned. "Then why bring me?"
"Because we need to talk."
She sighed dramatically before climbing out of the SUV. A hostess greeted us and led us to a private dining room away from the rest of the customers. As soon as the door closed, Catherine crossed her arms.
"So, talk."
I remained standing. "I've spent years cleaning up your messes."
Her expression hardened. "I've covered for your lies." Silence.
"I've ignored the money you've stolen." Still nothing.."I've ignored the way you've manipulated people." She looked away. "But I won't ignore what you've done to our son."
Her head snapped back toward me. "What are you talking about?"
"You abandoned him."
"I protected him."
"No."
My voice stayed calm. "You used him."
Her eyes narrowed. "You don't know what you're talking about."
"I know enough."
I reached into my jacket and placed a thick folder on the table.
"Everything you've hidden is in there."
She slowly looked down at it. "Bank records." "Property deeds."
"Fake identities." "Payments."
Every ounce of color drained from her face. "Where... where did you get this?"
"I've been looking into your finances ever since Alpha Grill called me."
She didn't answer. "I know about the missing money."I know about the shell accounts."I know who you've been paying."
Her breathing became uneven. "I even know who helped you move it."
She slowly sank into her chair. "You've been spying on me."
"I've been protecting this family."
She slammed her hand against the table. "I did everything for us!"
"No."
I shook my head. "You did everything for yourself."
Tears filled her eyes. "You don't understand."
"Then make me understand."
She stared at me for what felt like forever before finally whispering,
"If I hadn't done it... they would've killed me."
That wasn't the answer I expected. "They?" I asked quietly.
She covered her face with both hands. "They're still out there."
A chill ran down my spine. "Who are they?"
She slowly lowered her hands. "They're the people you should really be afraid of."
Catherine POV
I'd said too much. The second those words left my mouth, I wanted to take them back. Tony was staring at me, waiting. Waiting for names. Waiting for answers. I couldn't give him either. Not yet.
If I did... every person I cared about would die. Including our son.
I slowly pushed the folder back across the table.
"You think you've uncovered everything."
He didn't answer. "You haven't."
His eyes never left mine. "The money..." I swallowed hard. "...was never mine."
Tony's face became unreadable. "Then whose was it?"
I closed my eyes. "You don't want the answer."
"I do."
"No, Tony."
My voice cracked. "You really don't." For the first time in years...
I was genuinely afraid.
- Writer
