The Gamble

by Alice Ward

  “Hell no. Come on. Let’s get going. I want to be back for lunch.” I walked to the front door and let out a long breath. My brother was right about me and Alisa ending up in bed. It was a thought I needed to let go of though. She didn’t need the emotional pressure of us making love only to push at each other again.

  “Do you think if this shit with the securities case hadn’t come up that you’d be together?” Mark followed me out of the front door and moved up beside me as we made a sharp turn and headed for the tall mountains at the back of the cabin.

  “Oh yeah. Without a doubt. It’s the weirdest situation ever. Usually I’m in love with a girl, and she’s just using me, or vice versa.” I slid my hands into my pants pockets and nodded toward the trees. “Look how beautiful that is.”

  “It’s awesome. I’m glad we came up here.” My brother cleared his throat before continuing. “So what’s the situation this time? You’re both in love with each other, right?”

  “Exactly, but it’s going nowhere thanks to all my shit.”

  “Yeah, well, that same shit is the only reason you’re together. You know that, right?” Mark popped me in the chest again playfully.

  “I’m going to kick your ass if you keep hitting me.” I lifted my eyebrow at him.

  “Oh yeah? Let’s see about that, buddy.” He popped me and ran toward the woods.

  I chuckled and took off after him, more than willing to take my brother up on his need to prove me a liar. It would be fun to take him down to the ground and roll his big ass down the hill behind us. I’d been doing stuff like that all my life. It was one of the reasons we were so close.

  I’d miss him if things went south. I’d miss all of them. Maybe it wasn’t about them missing me or me being worried about them losing me.

  Maybe it was about me needing them so bad that the thought of losing them for even a minute crushed me.

  I reached him and jumped on his back as he let out a loud groan and dropped to his knees. We wrestled like two kids and laughed so hard he half pissed himself. It was a great afternoon and exactly what I needed. I loved Mark and knew without a doubt that he would be standing at the gates when I got out if I ended up in the pen. He would visit and write, but he was my brother.

  Alisa needed an out, and I was the only one between the two of us willing to give it to her.

  If sacrifice was the right thing to do, why did it hurt so fucking bad?

  CHAPTER SIX

  Alisa

  The evening with my parents was exactly what I needed. After snuggling up on the couch in between them, I must have passed out, because the next thing I remembered was waking the next morning to the smell of bacon. I was still in my work clothes and was grateful for it.

  I crawled out of bed and stumbled into the kitchen to enjoy a lengthy breakfast and long conversation with my mom about resolving things with Zek. I’d come to the conclusion that I wasn’t going to be too forward or aggressive. I’d simply ride the wave and see where it took me. He was a man with a lot on his shoulders. I wanted to alleviate some of that burden, not cause more for him to carry.

  I kissed my parents and got in my car as a chuckle left me. My mom was standing with her hands on her hips as my father wagged his shotgun around as if he were going to go after Zek and Ben, and any other guy who thought to mess with me. I’d get through whatever was facing me because I had all of them. It was a nice reminder, and one I needed. I was starting to lose myself a bit in the need to make things right for Zek Kellington. He had a way of taking my attention and owning it completely. Not that I minded, but it was unhealthy, and talking with my parents helped to shed a little bit of light on that.

  Even if Zek landed in jail, I would still visit him and share my heart with him. I wasn’t going anywhere. No matter what. I turned on the radio and forced myself to sing along to the latest boy band singing about young love. The traffic was a bear, so before too long, I’d turned the tunes off and was feeling the angst to get to my apartment so I could shower, change and get to the office.

  I hated being late, though no one at Dellup seemed to be keeping track. Especially not with me winning my most recent case. Win a few and make the firm look good. That was the motto. If you could do that for any firm, they would usually leave you be.

  I made great time to the apartment, and even had a chance to stop for a coffee on the way back into town. It was almost noon by the time I reached my favorite coffee shop, but I forced my tardiness out of my mind. I had enough to worry about. Best to leave the trivial things behind.

  “Miss Manning. What a pleasant surprise.”

  I turned to the sound of Jon Mills’ voice and forced myself not to stiffen. He was the last person I expected to see, and yet I should have known better. His firm was in the building above the coffee shop.

  “Mr. Mills. How are you?”

  “I’ve been better.” He nodded to the coffee bar. “I’ll get this. My treat.”

  “No, but thank you. I believe it would be quite prudent of me to get my drink and head into the office. I’m running a little behind today.” I gave him a curt smile and turned.

  “Well, maybe another time.” He moved up beside me. “I’ll be working for months to get the taint off me. You laid it on pretty thick.”

  “You weren’t on trial, Mr. Mills.” I glanced sideways at him. I spoke the truth, though everyone in the courtroom knew good and damn well that he was involved in Melissa’s dealings.

  “That’s very true, but you know how people can be.” He shrugged. “I mean, with Mr. Kellington now heading into the securities trial, I would assume people will be quickly reminded of the rape allegations and how he seemed to slide by so cleanly, though his DNA was all over Melissa.”

  “Your daughter.” I turned to face him as my voice lowered. He wanted to refer to the girl as if she were some casual acquaintance between the two of us. He needed to come to terms with the fact that he might not have been on trial in the rape case, but that his actions landed Melissa in the mental hospital where she was currently awaiting assessment.

  “Yes, my little girl.” He turned to face me. “I do hope you know that there’s no way in hell you’re going to win this case.”

  “I’ve yet to lose one.” I shrugged, being far cockier than I might have with anyone else.

  “Pride before the fall, child. Pride before the fall.” He chuckled, and I turned back to the counter as the barista asked for my order. I prayed like hell my conversation was over, but he followed me over to the pickup line and moved up beside me again. “I really do think you should consider pulling out of Dellup. They won’t be able to withstand too many more losses, and you’re about to add on to their tally.”

  “They’re a great firm. I did my research before joining them.” I stifled the need to shiver. Something about the man beside me gave me the creeps. It had to be his inherent need to manipulate me, though I could see all around the edges of it.

  The barista called out my name, and I moved away from Jon to grab my drink.

  “Have a good day, Mr. Mills.” I walked out, not listening to his rebuttal. There was no way in hell the old man was about to offer me a job at his firm after what I’d done a few days before. He had to care for Melissa more than that, or maybe not.

  I worked long into the afternoon on Zek’s case, pulling up all the other investment managers being pulled through the proverbial mud and researching them too. The one link I could find was that they all knew Dane Warren somehow. I needed to visit with the guy, but he’d fallen off the map. I had to wonder if maybe Zek might know where he was, or how I could get a hold of him at least.

  My phone buzzed, and I picked it up, the number unknown.

  “This is Alisa Manning.”

  “Mrs. Manning. This is Sylvia from Dryers General Hospital. Your husband was just brought into the ER by ambulance, and you’re listed as the spouse on his records. We don’t have additional numbers, but thought we would start with you.” The lady’s voice was far t
oo calm for the situation.

  I shot up out of my chair as my heart leapt into my throat. “Ben’s been hurt?”

  “Yes, ma’am. He’s going into surgery now. We had to life flight him over to the hospital. Everything happened so fast, but we need you to come up here now. Get a cab to bring you if you’re too emotional to drive.”

  “In the ER?” I grabbed my purse and ran for the door, not caring that Ben and I weren’t together or that he probably wouldn’t be thrilled to see me. All the years of being friends, and the handful of when we were lovers rose up in my mind’s eye and tears blinded me.

  “Yes, ma’am. Be safe and come to the desk when you get here.”

  “Okay,” I mumbled through my tears and took a sharp right out of the office. I ran down the stairs as fast as I could and almost slipped three times before I reached the bottom floor. Jogging across the lobby, I held in the sobs that were driving hard emotion up into my chest. I cared about Ben and would be horrified if anything happened to him. He would be the same if it were me.

  I was as careful as I could be on the drive over, and worked to call Ben’s mom and his three sisters, all of which lived in various places that would require a flight to get to us. I told his mother that I would stay with him until she could get in.

  They seemed grateful, but I didn’t care either way. I was a bundle of nerves by the time I got to the hospital and rushed into the ER. The lady at the front told me to take a seat and wait. Ben was in surgery and there was nothing they could tell me other than the fact that he was in critical condition.

  I sat there for what felt like forever before a doctor finally walked out and stopped in front of me. “Mrs. Manning?”

  I got up and crossed my arms over my chest, nodding at the man. “Yes. Is Ben okay? What happened? Can I see him?”

  “He’s doing better, but we’re not out of the woods just yet.” The doctor gave me a tight smile. “He was in a bad automobile accident, and the damage to his body was quite extensive. They had to use the Jaws of Life to get him out of the car. It’s a miracle he survived at all.”

  I swallowed the fear and worry that pumped through me and lodged into my throat. “Can I see him?”

  “Yes, but he’s got a lot of tubes coming from him. Don’t touch him, and don’t expect a reaction. He’s in a coma right now. We’re hoping that his body will start working to repair some of the internal damage that was done.”

  “Alright.” I reached up and brushed my tears away, feeling silly for crying. I’d given up the right to be Ben’s wife. Some other woman deserved to be ushered into the back to offer him comfort. I glanced behind me, hoping that his mother would be there and save me from having to see him beaten up. I already felt like shit for not giving him another chance. Maybe I’d made a mistake.

  A yelp left me as I walked into the room and moved toward the body in the bed. His leg was elevated and most of his upper body was wrapped in thick white gauze. Two-thirds of his face was covered with more gauze, and his head was wrapped as well.

  “Oh my God,” I whispered and reached for him, touching the side of his face that was unscathed. “What happened, Ben?”

  “He can’t hear you, but I understand the need to talk with him. Are you the only one who will be visiting tonight?” The doctor moved closer and pulled a chart from the side of the bed.

  “No. We were recently divorced. Ben’s mother will be here soon, but I’ll stay until she gets here.” I sat down in the chair next to the bed and laid my hand over his. His skin was cold and his breathing labored. My heart broke at the sight of him, and I pressed my free hand to my face and let myself weep until a warm hand wrapped around my shoulder.

  “Alisa. I’m here, honey.” Ben’s mom gave me a hug before moving toward the bed and letting out a soft cry. “Dear God. What happened?”

  I tried to explain all they’d told me since getting to the hospital, but it wasn’t nearly enough. After standing there with her for a little while longer, the nurse wanted one of us to go. I volunteered and told Ben’s mom to call if anything changed or if she needed me.

  She promised she would, and I left the hospital weary and emotionally spent. After getting in my car, I pressed my hands to my face and let my emotions bleed out over everything. I sat there until I couldn’t force another tear from my eyes.

  After gaining my bearings, I let out a long sigh and rolled my shoulders. I was done living life like it would last forever. It wasn’t going to. It was finite and when I thought about Ben laying there, fighting for his life, I realized one thing. I cared about him like I would a good friend, but I loved Zek Kellington with a passion that left me dizzy.

  I shouldn’t have, but I turned out of the hospital parking lot and headed straight for Zek’s house. There was a chance that he wouldn’t be there, but if he was, I wasn’t going to let another day go by without telling him just how much I needed him in my life.

  We would win or lose the court case, but I wasn’t losing him again. I’d fight whatever battle necessary in order to try and gain him as much freedom from his indiscretions as I could. If my plan and our legal approach didn’t work, so the fuck what. I would visit him every day in jail and take care of anything he needed me to. As long as he was willing to work with me and he wanted a future with me like I wanted with him, I would do anything he wanted.

  My makeup dripped down my face and left ugly dark lines by the time I reached his house. His Lexus sat in the driveway next to a car I wasn’t familiar with, but it was most likely his brother.

  I checked myself in the mirror and tried to clean my face up a little before getting out and standing there for a minute.

  “There’s no going back after this. If I promise him my heart forever, then he’s going to have it.” I ran my hands through my hair and let out a sound of frustration. Indecision reared its ugly head and raged through me once again. I wasn’t at all sure I could survive any more rejection from the handsome billionaire who had stolen every part of me.

  “He already has it. Now I want his.”

  I walked to the door and lifted my hand to knock on it, but something caught my eye. I leaned down and cupped my hands, pressing them and my face to the glass so I could see inside. A beautiful woman slid her arms around Zek’s shoulders, which forced a sharp stake of horror to stab through me.

  I jerked back as my heart missed a beat. “What? Who is that?”

  The need to lean back over and press my face to the glass once more was almost overwhelming, but I forced myself back as my breathing became sporadic. Of course he was with someone else. I wasn’t important like I thought I was, and he wasn’t the man I made him out to be, obviously.

  Numbness settled over me, and I got to my car about the time the back door opened and they walked out. Zek glanced up and we locked gazes as concern washed over his face.

  He started for me as I opened the door to my car.

  “Alisa! Wait. Baby...” he jogged toward me, but I got in, slammed my car door and backed up faster than I had ever done in my life. I had to get out of there.

  I’d almost made the biggest mistake of my adult life.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Zek

  “No! No. Dammit.” I spun around and almost plowed into Lyndsay as I walked back to the house to get my keys. There was no way in hell I was letting Alisa think that something was going on behind her back.

  “What? Who was that?” Lyndsay walked back into the house behind me, her words soft. She’d stopped by to get her stuff, and nothing more. Her hug in the living room was quickly rejected, but I did it carefully. The last thing I needed was another crazy bitch on my tail. Life was exhausting enough, and I was starting to think that women were the bane of my existence.

  “That was my attorney.” I reached for my keys. “Grab your stuff. I need to go.”

  “You seem pretty upset for someone who’s just your lawyer.” She lifted her eyebrow.

  “She’s my attorney, but we talked about me not getting invo
lved with anyone right now. The firm is rather strict, and I’m learning more and more why.” I nodded to her things on the kitchen table. “Get it or I’m dumping it in the trashcan.”

  “Okay. Jeez.” She gave me a cute smile that once stole my heart, and she grabbed her stuff. “Promise you’ll call me if you get lonely. Fuck your law firm. They don’t run your life.”

  “They’re trying to save it.” I opened the door and moved behind her quickly, slamming it and locking up before jogging to my car. “Be safe.”

  “You too. I miss you.” Her voice beckoned me to stop. I turned and nodded, not quite sure what to say. I thought she’d my wife at one point, but once her mask came off, she was nothing but an angry, needy bitch.

  “Right. See you around.” I got in my car and drove off, praying like hell that I would find Alisa stopped at a red light just ahead of me. She looked like hell standing there beside her car. Something more than just finding another car in my driveway had happened.

  I grabbed my phone and dialed her number. It rang four times and went to voice mail.

  “Shit. Pick up.” I dialed it again. Nothing.

  A train moved down the tracks in front of me, and I came to a stop, hitting my steering wheel and cursing until I couldn’t find another word to throw out. Anger burned through me at how many shitty turns life had handed me lately. I couldn’t catch a break to save my life.

  It took the full ten minutes that I sat there to come to the conclusion that I was rushing after Alisa when things had gone just as I’d wanted them too. She needed to find me with another woman in order for her to back off. As much as it stung the deepest parts of me, it was perfect.

  She would hate me and drop the case, leaving me with another attorney who would have the loss of my case hit his record instead of Alisa’s. Losing her in my life had to be the most painful thing I could conjure up, but it was the right thing to do.