Paige contacted a couple of her clients and then called her good friend Derrick at his office. Derrick owned a private insurance agency, and since he was his own boss, he could talk anytime he wanted.
“Nelson Insurance Agency,” the woman said.
“Hey, Ava. It’s Paige. How are you?”
“I’m well. And you?”
“I’m good. Is he in?”
“Sure. Hold on a minute.”
“Hey stranger,” he said after picking up the call.
“Hey yourself, and how are you?”
“With the exception of the few scratches you left on my chest—which thankfully Andrea can’t see because of all the hair I have—I’m fine. But it’s you I’ve been pretty worried about.”
“I’m doing wonderfully, my friend, and remember we agreed we wouldn’t contact each other for a while. You know, so things would have a chance to settle down.”
“Well, have they?”
“Pretty much. They found your DNA, but they have no idea who it belongs to. Oh, and for the record,” she said, chuckling, “had you not worn a V-neck, there wouldn’t have been any scratches at all. Especially since I was careful not to touch your face and neck.”
“You are one crazy lady. And I still can’t believe you wanted me to beat you with that gun the way I did. It just killed me to have to do that.”
“Well, you did a great job, and it was very necessary. I needed the incident to look convincing, and it did. The police bought it, and so did my sister and brother-in-law.”
“I guess. But it’s like I told you when you first thought up this far-fetched scheme of yours, you must really want Pierce pretty badly.”
“I do. I love him, Derrick, and I deserve him.”
“Well, I hope you know what you’re doing. And by the way,” he said, sounding slightly comical, “you do realize that the man you’re in love with is your sister’s husband, right?”
Paige raised her eyebrows and didn’t find his sarcasm very amusing. “Yeah. And?”
“And I think you’re playing in dangerous territory. Not to mention you’re staying at their house.”
“Everything’ll be fine. You’ll see. This was all meant to be, and it was only a matter of time before Pierce and I got together, anyway.”
“But what about your sister and how hurt she’ll be?”
“What about your wife and how hurt she would be if she knew about all those affairs you’ve had?”
“Touché,” he said, chuckling.
Paige laughed, too. “Touché indeed.”
“Well, all I know is that I hope you never ask me to do anything like this again.”
“I won’t. Because once Pierce and I are married, I won’t need favors from anyone.”
“Really now? Well, I sure hope you don’t think everything is going to be perfect and that you’ll never have any problems.”
“We won’t. Pierce is a good man, and I plan to do everything I can to keep him happy.”
“Well, I’m a good man, too, and though my wife has tried making me happy, it’s not working.”
“Then why won’t you just leave her?”
“Well, for one thing, I don’t love any of those other women. I love Andrea. Plus, you know what they say.”
“What’s that?”
“Married men who mess around rarely leave their wives.”
Paige knew it wasn’t worth responding to such nonsense, because even if that were true, she knew Pierce would be different.
Just then, she heard a knock on her door and wondered why Camille was back home.
“Hey, I’m going to have to go now, but call me later in the week.”
“Will do. And you take care of yourself.”
“I will.”
Paige hung up and hoped Camille hadn’t heard her conversation. “Come in.”
“Hey, I’m sorry to interrupt.”
“No problem.”
“I just needed to talk to someone.”
“Of course.”
Camille sat down in the chair adjacent Paige. “I see you’re wearing one of your sweaters.”
Paige glanced down at herself. “Yeah, it’s finally cold enough, and you know I love hot pink. It really was kind of you to order those gifts for me.”
“It was nothing.”
“So, what did you wanna talk about?”
“Well, right after I dropped the kids off at school, I drove by Pierce’s bank and decided to call him. But his executive assistant told me he wasn’t available. Then I tried his cell, but, of course, it went to voicemail. I waited an hour and tried again, but he still wouldn’t answer. So, can you call him for me?”
Paige wasn’t sure what to say, but then she said, “I guess I could. But if he’s not answering your call, he probably won’t answer mine either.”
“Maybe not. But can you at least try?”
She sounded desperate and pathetic, so Paige picked up her phone and searched through her contact list, acting as though she didn’t know Pierce’s number by heart. When she scrolled down to it, however, she pressed send. Paige hoped he wouldn’t answer, but after the third ring, he did.
“Pierce Montgomery.”
“Hey Pierce, this is Paige.”
“I know who it is.”
His tone was curt, and Paige hated this. “The reason I’m calling is because Camille really needs to talk to you.”
“Well, I don’t wanna talk to her.”
Paige looked at Camille, not knowing what to tell her, but to Paige’s surprise, Camille took the phone and said, “Baby, please just listen to me. This is all a huge…Hello? Hello? Pierce? Hello?”
Tears fell down Camille’s face, and Paige knew Pierce had hung up.
“Sis, I’m so sorry he won’t talk to you.”
“This is insane!” she said, standing up.
“Honey, I know, but why don’t you give him some time? Let him have a day or two to calm down.”
“No, we need to talk now before this gets too far out of hand. I need Pierce to know that I’ve never, ever been unfaithful to him.”
Paige sat quietly, listening to Camille ranting and raving, and finally Camille left the room.
Paige couldn’t stop smiling. Her mission was being accomplished, and all she had to do now was bide her time. When she heard a door slam, though, she got up and looked out of the window. Camille backed out of the driveway and sped off. Chances were, she was headed to the bank so she could try to force Pierce to see her.
But not before Paige spoke to him first, so she pressed redial and waited.
“Look, Paige,” he said as soon as he answered. “I already told you, I don’t want to talk to your sister.”
“I know. And I’m not calling you for that. Camille isn’t even here. She just left.”
“Then what do you want?”
“Well, first of all, I just want to say how sorry I am that Camille has done this to you. I’m sorry for everything.”
“Not sorrier than I am.”
“You know I love my sister, but I could never support any woman who sleeps around on her husband. You’re one of the best men I know, Pierce, and you don’t deserve this.”
“Tell me about it. But evidently I just wasn’t good enough for Camille anymore.”
“That’s not true. If anything, you’re too good for her.”
Pierce didn’t say anything.
Paige hoped she hadn’t gone too far. “Why are you so quiet?”
“I guess I’m just a little surprised to hear you speaking so harshly against your own sister.”
“I don’t want to. But I’m also not going to stand up for anyone who’s done something this awful.”
“Well, you know what they say. It is what it is.”
“So, what are you going to do?”
“I don’t know yet. Right now, I’m too hurt and too numb to do anything.”
“I can only imagine.”
“Well, hey,” he said. “I appreciate your cal
ling me back and for understanding, but I need to get going, okay?”
“No problem. Also, there is one other thing I wanted to tell you.”
“What’s that?”
“I’ve decided to move back to my condo.”
“Why? Did they find the guy who broke in on you?”
“No, but I really feel like you and Camille need your privacy.”
“Regardless, I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to leave until they’ve arrested someone. It’s just not safe.”
“I’ve burdened you and Camille long enough, and my mind is made up.”
“I really wish you’d reconsider.”
“I appreciate everything you and Camille have done for me, but it really is time I get back to my own place and try to find some sense of normalcy again.”
“Well, you know I’m only a phone call or a car ride away.”
“I do.”
“You take care of yourself, Paige.”
“You, too, Pierce. And thanks again.”
Paige pressed the end button and started gathering her things together. If she was going to lure Pierce from her sister the rest of the way, she needed to act quickly. She needed to do it from the comfort of her own home and be out of the Montgomery household by sundown.
Chapter 15
Paige opened her trunk and placed two of her overnight bags inside of it but turned around when she saw Camille pulling into the driveway. She’d called Camille about two hours ago, letting her know she would be gone by noon, and Paige had sort of been hoping they wouldn’t run into each other. Not because she felt bad about leaving, but because she didn’t want to take a chance on Camille asking her to call Pierce again on her behalf. What she wanted was for Camille to accept that her marriage was over and simply get used to it.
Camille stepped out of her vehicle and closed the door. “I really wish you’d stay.”
“You’ve been very nice, and two and a half weeks is more than enough. Plus, it’s like I told you on the phone, you and Pierce need your privacy. Especially now.”
“But they still haven’t arrested anyone, and who’s to say this guy won’t come back?”
“I doubt he would do that, and to be honest, I’m just not afraid anymore. I’m ready to get back to my life and move on.”
“Nonetheless, I still wish you’d change your mind. And I’ll admit that part of me also wants you to stay for selfish reasons. I really need you to be my support system. Now more than I ever have.”
“I’ll only be a few miles away, and if you need me, I’ll be here in minutes.”
“It won’t be the same. I have girlfriends and women who I’m pretty close with at church, but there’s no one I trust more than you. There’s no one I can confide in the way I can with my sister.”
Paige slid her arm inside of Camille’s, and they slowly walked up the custom brick sidewalk. “Look, you know I have your back, but this is a time when you and Pierce need to be alone so you can work through your issues. This has to be about you and him and no one else.”
“Maybe.”
“Has he called?”
“No, but when I stopped by the bank this morning, he did come out to the lobby to say he would see me at home.”
Paige hoped this wasn’t true, but said, “Well, at least it sounds like he’s now ready to talk.”
“I think he is, and as a matter of fact, he’s going to leave work right before three o’clock so we can sit down and discuss things before the children get home. They won’t be here until later because of PJ’s game, and I’ve already asked Mom and Dad to bring them home when it’s over.”
Paige didn’t like this and knew she had to do something. However, all she said was, “I’m glad to hear you guys are going to try to work this out.”
“I am, too.”
“I also hope Pierce realizes he should have had a lot more trust and faith in you, regardless of what anyone sent him in the mail.”
“Yeah, I agree, but I have to admit, if someone sent me a stack of incriminating information about him, I’d probably believe them, too.”
“I guess. Well, anyway, I’m going to keep you both in my prayers, and I know you’ll soon get past this.”
“Thanks, Paige,” Camille said as they walked inside the house. “Because prayer is what we need most.”
Paige hugged her sister and thought, I’ll be praying, all right. Praying that Pierce leaves your pitiful little behind so he can start his new life with me.
* * *
It was four o’clock, and Paige had been home for nearly three hours. She hadn’t thought so much about it while she’d been staying at her sister’s, but she’d missed being in her own space. She’d missed her own bed, her own everything, and was glad she’d made the decision to return this afternoon. Of course, her two-bedroom condo wasn’t nearly the size of the Montgomerys’ three-story abode, but it was hers and she was comfortable here. There was no question that she’d loved seeing Pierce every day and had even loved spending time with her niece and nephew, but she was glad she no longer had to see or stomach her sister.
She went over to the sofa table and sorted through her last couple of days of mail. She shuffled one piece after another but pursed her lips when she saw an envelope from Lexus. Now she sort of wished she hadn’t ended things so soon with Owen—and she wouldn’t have had he not made that foolish proposal to her. He’d messed up everything, and as of this statement, she’d have to begin paying the entire bill on her own. Although maybe she could smooth things over with Owen for the time being. It was certainly a possibility and something well worth considering.
Paige opened a few more invoices, a check from a client, and a couple of business letters, but then her phone rang. It was Camille, and she was right on schedule.
“Hello.”
“Oh my God, Paige,” Camille said between sniffles and tears. “You won’t believe what happened.”
“What?”
“I just can’t believe someone is doing all these terrible things.”
“Camille, what are you talking about? Please tell me.”
“Paige, someone sent me two dozen roses with a card that said, ‘Baby, I’m so glad Pierce knows about us now, and that you’ve finally decided to leave him. I love you with all my soul. William.’”
“What?” Paige said, feigning disbelief and major concern. “This is crazy.”
“I know, and even worse, Pierce had just gotten here when they arrived.”
I know, because I’m the one who sent them. “Oh no, Camille. I’m so sorry. Is he still there?”
“No,” Camille said, crying again. “And this time, he packed some of his clothing.”
“So, he’s moving out on you because of a few flowers?”
“Can you blame him? I mean, first it was all those email messages, and now roses?”
“But none of this makes any sense.”
“No, it doesn’t, and I just wish I knew who hated me enough to do something like this.”
“But that’s just it, Camille. You’re one of the sweetest and most generous people I know, and everyone loves you. And hey, what if this isn’t even about you? What if there’s someone out there who is trying to get revenge on Pierce for some reason?”
“You know, you might be right. I hadn’t even considered that.”
“Stranger things have happened in the world, and nowadays you can’t put anything past certain people. Pierce makes a lot of money, and who’s to say someone at the bank isn’t behind this? I mean, it could even be someone who’s had it in for him for years and maybe something related to the last bank he worked at.”
“But would someone go this far? And why would they specifically try to hurt me?”
“It’s like I just said, maybe it’s not about you.”
“I just hate this, and I have no idea how I’m going to fix it.”
“Just keep praying, and keep trying to talk to Pierce.”
“I will.”
“Do you
want me to come back over?”
“No, I’m going to contact the florist to see what information I can get, and then try and call Pierce. After that, I’m going to go pick the children up and take them to spend the night at Mom and Dad’s.”
“Well, call me if you need me, okay?”
“I will, and thanks, Paige. For everything.”
As soon as Paige hung up, she thought about calling Pierce, but decided it might be best to wait a day or two. So instead she picked up the latest Victoria’s Secret catalog and carefully turned through one page at a time, checking out the various negligees and panty and bra sets she knew Pierce would adore. She saw a number of them, and since she couldn’t decide on any one item over another, she would buy them all. She would go online in a few minutes, place her order, and request overnight delivery. She would do this because there was no doubt she’d be making love to Pierce any day now.
Chapter 16
Paige curled her legs onto the sofa, covered her body with a leopard-print blanket, and turned the channel on her television. There was absolutely nothing like watching Lifetime Movie Network, and Paige could already tell this was going to be a great movie. She liked it because the protagonist was a woman she could definitely identify with—a woman who’d made the smart decision to go after what she wanted. Like Paige, she’d decided to take the man of her dreams from some privileged wife who didn’t deserve him, and Paige applauded her. She had the highest respect for the woman’s courage and God-given right to be happy.
Paige watched intensely, but about forty minutes in her cell phone rang and she reached over for it. She saw the number clear as day but was almost too excited to answer. It was Pierce, and she wondered if her eyes were playing tricks on her.
She swallowed hard, took a deep breath, and answered. “Hey.”
“Did I catch you at a bad time?”
Paige sat up straighter. “No, not at all. Is everything okay?”
“No, and I really needed to talk to someone. I considered calling my mom or my brother, but for now, I just think it’s best not to tell them.”
“I understand. But I have to be honest about something. Even though I don’t agree with what Camille has done, she’s still my sister, and I don’t want to be caught in the middle of you guys.”
Secret Obsession Page 7
