Fidelity (Infidelity #5)

“Okay, tell me what you think—after you’ve eaten.”

I lifted a piece of the sandwich and took a bite. As I began to chew, my stomach did the loud growling thing again. Shaking my head, I took a drink of the iced tea. “Fine. I’m still hungry.”

“They were talking about you and Chelsea making a statement,” he said.

I swallowed. “They think it was a mistake to refuse the police last night?”

“Yes and no.”

“I don’t want to go back, but they’re right. It would look better if Chelsea and I were willing to make statements. And I’m nervous that the policeman called me Mrs. Spencer.”

Nox exhaled. “At the police station they showed me a marriage license dated Friday. Your stepfather offered me a deal if I agreed not to contest your marriage and obeyed a restraining order to stay away from you.”

Blowing on a spoonful of soup, I shook my head. “Alton won’t stop. He won’t.” And then my mind filled with the last twelve hours and I met Nox’s gaze. “I’d say if you accepted his offer, you’re definitely in violation of that restraining order.”

“I told him to stick it up his ass.”

“You what?”

“Not directly, though we did speak.”

“Mmm,” I hummed as the spicy broth warmed my mouth, bringing my taste buds to life. “That is amazing.”

“I told you,” he said with a grin.

“I promise, Bryce and I weren’t married. Remember when I told you that Bryce threatened to…” I didn’t want to say the words again.

“Yes.” The vein in his forehead throbbed.

“That was Friday night, the same night Pat and Cy showed up at the manor. Do you think it would have only been threats if we were married?”

Nox covered my hand. “No, and even thinking about this makes me want to kill the motherfucker.”

“Stop saying that. Besides, I’m not sure if it would be better to speak to the detective or the attorneys.”

“The police can’t make you talk to them. A subpoena would come from the attorney of the court.”

I nodded, again dipping my spoon in the soup. “It could come from either side. But I doubt it’s been long enough. Today’s Sunday. A prosecutor probably hasn’t been assigned. Not officially,” I added.

“On a case like this, I’m sure the state is mounting its offense,” Nox said. “Nevertheless, the attorneys told us that Spencer is stuck in jail until after his first appearance. Assuming they still believe they have enough to convict, then he’ll officially be charged. They’re waiting on the report from the medical examiner.”

My hungry stomach twisted. “I can’t help wondering where they found her. How long was she dead?”

“We don’t know anything. My guess is that they don’t either or it’d be all over the news outlets.” He reached for my hand. “Deloris is concerned that no matter what they find or come back with, he’ll be released on bail. It could be high, but his mother or your stepfather will more than likely pay it.”

I exhaled as my shoulders sagged. “I don’t want to see him.”

“I don’t want you to. If we go to Savannah tonight, you and Chelsea could speak to the police and even his attorneys if you want to. Then we can be back here before he’s out on bail.”

I lowered the sandwich to the plate. “Chelsea’s face.”

Nox nodded. “It will help the prosecutor’s case. If the attorneys see it, they might realize the uphill battle they have in front of them.”

“Wait a minute,” I said. “You said we… if we go to Savannah?”

“Oh hell yes. You’re not going on your own. We’re taking the Batplane and flying as low under the radar as possible.”

“Thank you.” The delicious soup and sandwich churned as I contemplated Savannah. “We won’t be under the radar if we show up at either Hamilton and Porter or the police station.”

“No, but we don’t have to announce our presence until we arrive.”

My gaze went behind Nox to the windows, bright with sun through the now-opened shutters. I took in the clear blue sky. I couldn’t see anything else from my angle, but the blueness reminded me that today was another day. Yesterday was finally over. “Thank you.”

Nox leaned over and kissed my forehead. “For what?”

“For everything.”

“Don’t you get it?” he asked.

“Get what?”

“Alexandria Collins, I want to be your everything. There’s nothing you can tell me or confess to change my mind.”

My cheeks warmed. “You are my everything. That doesn’t mean that I’m not still mad at you and Deloris for involving Chelsea.”

“It wasn’t supposed—”

I touched his lips. “I know. Chelsea and I have talked about it.”

“Deloris will help her get out of Infidelity. Once she does, we can find something for her at Demetri.”

“I’m not sure if she’ll—”