Tangled In Strings

Chapter Twenty-One

I jump out of my seat, shaking my head. "Oh my god."

"Scarlett, please. Listen. This place is like a fortress. Dixon cannot come anywhere near you here. I've informed the security staff to remain with you at all times. You are safe."

I start towards the liquor, but my legs halt me in my tracks. The Xanax is wearing off fast. I bring my hand to my head, closing my eyes. "Norman—"

"I know you, Scarlett. You only care about others instead of yourself. I know this will be too much for you, with taking on the firm and everything going on with Dixon and Giovanni—"

I suddenly remember he had dinner with Giovanni tonight. I pin a sharp gaze on him. "Did Giovanni urge you to do this?"

He chuckles, looking down. "No, no. He told me to expect hell from you."

"Why the hell did you even have dinner with him?"

"To offer him money."

I'm taken aback, clearly, because my mouth snaps closed. After a beat, soaking in the tension, I whisper, "Money?"

He nods, once. "To sustain his business if he were to go to the feds." He holds up his hands, placating. "Don't worry. He said no."

"He can't say yes, Norman," I emphasize. "It's not about the money. He'd tear up his family's life; he'd knowingly destroy his father's legacy if he told anyone this."

"I know. I had to try though, Scarlett. I had to."

I blink at him, stunned by his determination. "I'm not going to let you do this."

He takes forever to stand, grimacing the entire time. He finally sighs.

"This isn't your decision."

He begins to walk, obviously thinking this conversation is over. I watch him closely, my heart thumping painfully.

"You're taking the easy way out."

"Damn right I am," he replies, chuffed, without looking back. My legs start after him, my teeth gritting in anger.

"If you leave now, Norman, you're abandoning me."

He stops, and if he were wearing shoes, they'd have screeched. It's a low blow, but at this point, I could care less. He turns slowly.

"What?"

"You're scared and embarrassed and determined to do this with dignity. And I applaud you for it. But, I will not abandon you."

He closes his eyes, looking away from me. I see his fear, his anger, his despair so easily now.

"Scarlett—"

"I want to take care of you. I want to be here."

"You don't realize what is coming!"

"Maybe not. But what I do know is no life should end in a hospital if it can be different. No one should die alone because they want to spare the people who love them the pain. We will hire nurses. We will pay whatever we have to so that the doctor makes this as painless as possible. And we will do this—together."

He gasps when I rush in to hug him, stiffening at the unusual affection. It feels odd, as I have never really embraced him this way, but I don't want to let go.

After a moment, he hugs me back, with just as much fierceness.

And the closeness doesn't feel so odd anymore.

...

I shut myself into the bedroom I've been staying in for weeks, not bothering to turn on the light. Pulling off every article of clothing on my body, discarding them wherever they fall, I walk to the bathroom. The shower water is scalding hot when I step into it, but I don't have the strength to readjust the temperature.