“I need to warn her.” I start to get up but Winston speaks, halting me.
“Don’t—scare her, little brother. Just make her aware that things aren’t always what they seem. Maybe you shouldn’t mention the meeting Seamus had with one of her family members yet.”
“Why the hell not?”
“She might confront her father. Maybe her mother. For all we know, Louisa could be behind this.”
I shake my head. “Doubtful. She only cares about shopping and going to lunch.”
“Don’t write her off like her husband does. She’s been married to that piece of shit for almost thirty years and she’s still smiling. Hell, she’s practically the queen of the Lancasters and he’s only a second son,” Winston reminds me.
I hate that I have that in common with my father-in-law—that we’re both second sons in an important family. it’s infuriating.
I don’t want anything in common with him. I’d prefer to act like he doesn’t even exist.
“Text your wife,” Winston continues. “Check in with her throughout the day. Keep tabs on her.”
“I never do that sort of thing.” I grimace just thinking of it. I’m not a micromanaging control freak like my brother.
“Well, you’re going to do it now. You need to know what your little bride is up to at all times. I’m assuming McTiernan used to have major sway over her. Who’s to say he still doesn’t?” Winston raises a brow, contemplating me.
While I sit and steam, wondering what the fuck kind of influence McDickface could still have on my wife. Not after she’s been with me, is all I keep thinking.
But I might be wrong. Hell, she might still be in love with him.
I caught her texting someone a few times. Not entirely sure I believe what she told me when I asked her about it either.
Was it him?
Just the thought of her texting that piece of shit she might still care about feels like a steel spike was rammed in my heart—and makes me want to rage.
Chapter Nineteen
Charlotte
“My kitty missedme, didn’t she?” I’m scratching Doja under her chin, smiling as she rubs her head against my hand. She’s purring so loud I’m sure Jasper can hear her and he’s in the kitchen while I’m in the living room.
Doja’s golden gaze meets mine and she squints her eyes before she meows.
I’m guessing that was her answer.
Perry went back to work this morning and I miss him. I didn’t wake up before he left like a good wife should, but our situation isn’t normal, so I cut myself some slack. Besides, I was exhausted from the entire trip and I think it caught up to me. I feel bad about Perry having to go into work, but he wanted to. At least, that’s what he told me last night, before we went to bed.
In separate rooms.
No sex to be had.
I missed him. I missed his touch and his scent and the commanding way he kisses me. I missed his heartbeat and his damp-with-sweat skin and his mouth at my ear, muttering filthy words.
A sigh leaves me and I squirm, making Doja meow as she hops off my lap.
Fickle girl.
“Would you like me to make you lunch?” Jasper asks as he strides into the living room.
I smile at him. I missed Jasper. Not because he does stuff for me or always wants to make me meals—which is not a normal job requirement for a butler, by the way. No, I missed him because the man listens to me. He offers sage advice. He even drops a sarcastic comment here and there, which I always appreciate.
I would love to talk to him about my marriage woes and ask if he knows what Perry might want in a wife, but I can’t. Not yet. It still feels so private and new. And I don’t want to break Perry’s trust.