Married For the Show

A

slept t

eyes, I imagined what

ld say. What he wo

I even

ht scared me mo

exhausted and ji

thirty, just like always. He didn'

o

ake sure he was really gone.

n my face with makeup. Not per

doctor's appointmen

t took forever. My hands were

ve. All glass and steel,

he said. There was a security guard there. When I gave

'am. Mr. Brian i

er and higher, my reflection getting smaller. I looked p

ster Brian. He was my husband's enemy.

e had something in common.

, the enemy of my

ned, I stepped int

wooden door with gold letters:

ore I could l

" his voi

door and st

ows looked out over the city. Expensive fu

ting behind his de

it him perfectly. His hair was st

ked po

ger

oor," he sa

ok as I tur

ic

e I had just crossed a li

ere," h

ard him on u

ed just in front of me, close enough that I could smell his cologne.

face, studying the brui

voice was calm, but I could

es

re e

ha

slowly, like he was afraid I might run. His fingers

, unable

nched. "Any

en the guard

in his eyes. Something

" he said

r, I don'

e did to you." His vo

ds, I lifted the

le now, finger marks clear

atched his expression shift from controlle

so quietly I almost didn't hear. "I

d. Hovering just above my skin. Close enou

?" he

odd

my chest ache. He traced the outline of each finge

ed against my ribs. I could feel m

eyes

ed. Charged with somethi

the flecks of silver in his gray eyes. Close enough that

my name coming o

es

tared at me like he was fi

is hand away. Stepped bac

place, my skin still tingl

His voice was steadier now, but I could hear

ha

n us. Like he didn't trust himself to stand close. "You have to keep playing your part. The perfe

d. "You want me t

dence, Raina. Concrete proof of what he's doing. Things

I can't go back there and pr

ree long strides. Stopped just short of to

I'm weak.

ike he wanted to touch me but wouldn't let himself. "It makes you smart. But y

How long do I

et. A few weeks

parties." Tears burned my eyes. "Ho

ring the evidence we need to stop him. To sa

eve him. Wanted

old house. Sleeping in that guest room. Watching Ted

if I can do it

act. His fingers caught my chin, t

ith absolute certain

ok my

hinks you're weak. Helpless. A victim wh

he's

. He doesn't see you as a threat. That means he'll get careless. Make m

my breath catch. Like he saw somet

a mistake? What

get you." His voice dropped lower. "I w

't promi

tch

l on my face. My heart racing so fast

d to my mouth.

ped br

close I could feel

aw clenched. His hand

and through his hair. "You shoul

t dizzy. Off b

her of u

my name like he w

ha

r a long moment. T

Just... be

he door. My legs felt weak.

the door when my phon

out with s

Castor: Wh

eplied: In

ed again almo

e doctor's office and c

dropped t

id he

Where the fuck are you? Don

od ran