The Affectionate Player - Part2

Chapter 22

"I've still got it, Steve," Max confirms. "I'll talk to Gracie about it – see what she wants to do going forward. We're getting married in less than two weeks and nothing is going to stop that! You're still coming, aren't you?"

"Course I am."

"You bringing your wife?"

"I never said I was married," he jokes, though my humour has long since left the building. "But yes, I'm bringing a friend."

"Good. That's good. OK. Keep in touch if there are any developments otherwise we'll see you end of next week."

"No probs. Bye, Gracie."

"Bye, Steve. And thanks for all you've done for us." Ending the call, Max turns to me drawing a deep breath.

"He's had a surveillance unit on the house since the night Monty was taken. I should've told you but I thought you'd be more relaxed if you believed Jonny had done a runner and our lives had returned to normal."

"If I'm honest, I was more relaxed. Even if only a little."

"You're not mad at me?" he asks, astounded.

"No, I'm not. There's no right or wrong in this shitty situation and anyway if you'd told me I'd have been paranoid about them watching us. I knew they were here in the beginning - just not now."

"Not anymore it seems."

"So, what are we going to do, Max? A private security team? And if so, for how long?"

"Well, at least until after the wedding."

"And then what? After our honeymoon? After we move? When the kids go to school? How long does this have to go on for?"

"Fuck!" he yells, frustrated. "Fuck Jonny King! And fuck this mess!"

"Jesus, Max. Calm down will you?!" Crossing the room I refill his glass handing it to him. "You said you weren't worried about him."

"That was before I found out the unit was pulled!"

"Well, I've been none the wiser and no less worried for them being there so I'm going to make this decision for us."

"What?"

"No security."

"Are you out of your mind?!"

"No security! At all!"

"But our wedding..."

"Max, the wedding is on my parent's private estate and all the guests will be known to us. The caterer my dad knows from way back and all the services we've booked are professionals renowned in their field."

"No way, Gracie!" he gasps. "I'd be happier knowing we had protection."

"And I'd be happier without it. This is our wedding, Max. Jonny King would be certifiable if he thought he could walk in to a private event and make a scene."

"But I..." Placing my finger on his lips I silence him.

"I don't want armed security frightening our family and friends. I don't want our beautiful day overshadowed by him, Max. What the hell will that look like?"

"It will look like we care enough to protect everyone there! Including ourselves!"

"No, Max. It will look like we're running scared and for once in a long time I will spend one bloody day not thinking about him!"

"I won't allow it, Gracie!"

"Yes, Max. You will!" Seething he gulps the contents of his glass.

Making my way to the window I briefly look out catching a glimpse of the lady from weeks ago, though not permitting distraction I return my attention to Max and continue.

"Am I forcing you to sell this house?" Glaring in disbelief his oceans pierce me with a steely gaze. "Well, am I? Have I given you an ultimatum?"

"No," he growls, reluctantly.

"That's right, Max. I haven't. And I could, you know. I could give you the biggest guilt trip about spending my first months of our married life in the house of my husband's deceased wife! But I won't, because if we're to have any future together I have to trust that sometimes you will make decisions for our family that you believe are the right choices. I have to accept that otherwise we will spend every day arguing over shit that doesn't really matter in the long run!"

"Is that how you really feel? Trapped?" Sighing, I cross the room and cupping his troubled face I stare into his beautiful blue eyes.

"I didn't say I feel trapped, Max. More like forced to compromise."

"It makes great financial sense, Gracie."

"So you said and perhaps it does to your heart, Max." Pausing I steal a moment. "But not to mine," I add softly.

"Gracie..."

"I don't want to live in Melody's house as your wife when I know you carried her over the threshold. I don't want to live here in the months following our wedding while you decide when the best time is for us to start our life together. Don't you see, Max? I want my own home. I want the life I've being dreaming of with you. Being forty years old and a second time bride does not mean I should settle for less happiness than we are both entitled to."

As I pour my heart out he blinks in shock and makes to speak, then on second thoughts he closes his mouth resting his glass on the mantel. Gently he takes me in his arms.

"This is why I love you," he murmurs, holding me. "This..."

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