“Yeah, they can’t share your information. I think it would be an excellent idea. It’s time, sweetie. Time for you and Mari to stop living in fear all the time.”
“Thanks, Mom. Now, for the next issue. The zoo wants to bring over a conservation rescue group from Zimbabwe. They want me to meet with them.”
“I’ll notify the legal team and see what they suggest. But I don’t see the Brigade coming here to come after you. You know you can never return to Africa for your safety.”
“I know. Okay, I’ll let Lydia know I’ll be available to work with them.”
“What time do I need to be there, or do you want to bring her here?”
“How about you come here tonight?”
“Okay. I’ll see you at about six thirty.”
I hang up and proceed with my day. I spend the time cleaning the house up and playing with Mari. I love days like this when I can spend time with her. She’s grown so much in just five short months.
My cell phone rings, and I smile when I see Lydia’s name flash across the screen.
“Hey, Gir—”
“Syd, I need your help.” Lydia’s panicked voice comes across the line.
“What’s up, Ly?” She was heading to Dallas today to meet up with her hubby, who’s there for business. She wanted to surprise him with a weekend for just the two of them. He’s been traveling there a lot over the last couple of years.
“He wasn’t alone,” she cries into the phone. Oh shit. She can’t be saying what I think she’s saying.
“No. Colton wouldn’t do that to you.”
“He did. I knocked on his door in only a trench coat and negligee and some blonde bimbo with big boobs answered in a robe.” I can hear the tears in her voice. “I thought I had the wrong room until he stepped around the corner. When he saw me, that fucker said it wasn’t what I thought. Can you fucking believe that?”
“Where are you now, sweetie?”
“I’m on my way to the airport. I told him not to come home. That bitch said he was already home. She showed me a ring on her finger.”
Oh fuck. “What? Is he engaged to her while married to you?”
“I don’t know. I just ran. I need a place to hide out for a bit.”
“I’ll see if my mom has a suggestion.”
“Get her to find me the best divorce attorney on the planet. I’m going to buttfuck that asshole.” I try not to chuckle because granted Lydia has dropped lots of cuss words in this short conversation, but that isn’t her at all. She’s the epitome of a perfect Southern belle.
“I’ll ask her when she gets here.”
“Is she babysitting for you again?”
“Yeah, Tucker is taking me to a club party.”
“That’s what I need, a hot dirty biker. Set me up with one.”
“No, sweetie. You need to heal you and your kids right now.”
“Okay. I’ll call as soon as I land. The kids are at the house.”
“I’ll call my mom and have her go get them so they aren’t there just in case.”
“Thank you. You’re the best friend a bitch could ask for.”
“I’d bury his body for you if you needed me to.” I chuckle as I hang up.