Page 15 of Hooked on Mack (Hooked #7)
Larissa
“Guess who I ran into downstairs?” Mark said, grinning like a kid who'd just found the cookie jar. “Ava!”
“Of course you did,” I replied, rolling my eyes.
“Turns out, we both had a lot to say to each other, some apologies here and there.” He paused for dramatic effect. “And we've decided to give our marriage another shot.”
The news hit me like a ton of bricks. “Are you serious?”
“Yes,” he said, feigning hurt, but his smile betrayed him.
At that moment, the guard stepped forward, observing their interaction with suspicion. “Everything okay in here?”
I forced a smile, as if my facial muscles were frozen solid. “Just peachy. Don't worry about us.”
As the guard retreated, I took a few calming breaths before addressing Mark again through gritted teeth. “So, how did you get yourself in this mess? Why are you even behind bars?”
“Ah, well, it happened right after Ava and I hugged,” he began, a dreamy look on his face. “We kissed… you know how these things go.”
“Get to the point, Mark,” I snapped, already regretting asking.
“Alright, alright,” he conceded, chuckling. “So, while Ava and I were kissing, Zippy—you remember Zippy, right? My mistress?”
“Vividly,” Larissa bit out. How many paramours could one man have?
“Anyway, she saw us and didn't take it too well. Started punching me in the back of the head—” He rubbed the spot gingerly for emphasis. “And it escalated from there.”
My anger reached a boiling point, rendering me temporarily speechless. I wanted to be anywhere but here, listening to Mark describe his cavorting with Ava while his mistress attacked him. The man had no shame, no self-awareness, and it astounded me that I'd ever found him charming.
“Are you kidding me?” My voice cracked as I struggled to process this new information. The man had an uncanny ability to make every situation about him.
“Hey, don't look at me like that! People change, Larissa,” he said. “We've both made mistakes, and now we're trying to fix them.”
I stormed out of the jail cell, leaving Mark's pleading voice echoing behind me. The metal bars slammed shut, marking my exit from that infuriating conversation.
I pushed his voice to the back of my mind, focusing instead on the burning anger that coursed through my veins.
My thoughts swirled like a tornado, each one more incensed than the last. The frustration bubbled up inside me until it threatened to burst forth in a stream of expletives.
I had to find an outlet for this rage, and fast.
“Out of my way!” I snapped at a guard who was blocking my path. He jumped aside, eyes wide with surprise at my sudden outburst. I didn't have time for apologies; I needed air, space—anything to help calm the storm inside me.
I finally reached the exit, pushing the heavy doors open and stepping out into the sunlight.
The warmth on my face did little to soothe my temper, but at least I could breathe again.
“How does one man cause so much trouble?” I muttered under my breath, mentally preparing myself for the inevitable fallout from Mark's latest escapade.
“Rough day?” a familiar voice asked, startling me out of my inner turmoil. I turned to find Mack leaning against the hood of his car, concern etched on his handsome features.
“Rough doesn't even begin to cover it.” I sighed, feeling the weight of the day bearing down on me.
I knew he'd be able to read the exhaustion and irritation in my eyes.
“Mark just informed me that he and Ava have decided to give their marriage another shot.
Oh, and he's currently behind bars for getting into a brawl with his mistress.”
“Wow,” Mack said, raising an eyebrow. “I knew things were complicated, but this is… something else.” He pushed off from the car and came closer, offering a sympathetic smile. “Want to talk about it?”
“Later,” I replied, suddenly feeling drained. “Right now, I just want to go home and take a long, hot bath. Preferably one filled with wine instead of water.”
“Good luck. See ya tomorrow.”