Page 66 of Into The Rabbit Hole

“I can’t believe you still have that.” He inclined his head to theside.

“Always, Brian. I can’t believe we’re at this point, and I just want to get to the next phase of our lives with you.” She placed the ring on her finger and theylaughed.

“I have a better one for you.” He raised his eyes to meet hers and the corners of his mouth lifted into a vibrantsmile.

“What? You’re kidding,right?”

“Nope. It’supstairs.”

“Brian, you bought me aring?”

“I…” He pulled in a breath and the vibrant look regressed from his face. “I’ve had it for the last 37 years.Waiting.”

All she could do was look at him. She’d never be able to forgive herself for all that she put him through. “My God,” shewhispered.

“I’ll give it to you soon. Not today. We should have our own day. Today can’t be the day you get divorced and engaged.” Hechuckled.

“Okay, you know… I know I’m going to absolutely love being ReginaMoretti.”

“Is that so,bellezza?”

She nodded vigorously and fell into his arms as he moved toher.

They had a few minutes just like that and then her phone rang. Every time her phone rang these days she got nervous. She’d been lucky today that none of her calls had beenAaron.

However, as she saw the no caller ID come up on the screen, she realized that her luck had run out. Unlike the woman she was days ago, who was terrified to answer her phone, Regina answeredit.

“Hello.”

“Regina.” It was Aaron, just as she thought. She moved the phone from her ear and put it on speaker phone. Having it close to her ear made it feel like he was right here in the room withher.

“What do youwant?”

“It’s show time for you,” hecooed.

“What does that mean?” Wasn’t it always show time? Since this whole crazy sagabegan?

“Well, it could mean anything right now. It’s time to end this game. I’m growing tired ofit.”

She almost laughed at the comment, but didn’t. She restrained herself, not wanting to fan the flames and make him madder. “What do you want,Aaron?”

“Well my dear Regina, the question is what do you want? Your ex-husband’s head in a box first, or his hand? Or maybe I should just chop him up and send you a piece here and there, every now andagain.”

Her hand flew to her mouth as shegasped.

“Do you have Ben?” Briancried.

“Oh Brian, what do you think? Do you want to sayhi?”

There was a muffled sound on the phone, like someone trying to talk with tape over their mouth or something. The sound got louder and she could hear it was definitely aperson.

“So anyway, I wanted to take things up a notch. You know, jazz it up a little and add some sparkle. You know what I mean, Regina. You’re the fashionable one here. I want a billion dollars. You come to my lair and wire it from my humble abode. You do that and I may spare Ben’slife.”

“Bastard,” shehissed.

“How do we even know you have Ben?” Brian asked. It was a good question. The muffled sound could be anyone oranything.

“You don’t. I could remove the tape from his mouth and let him tell you himself, but I can’t be bothered.” Aaron laughed. “You just have to trust me, that is, of course, if you care enough to come. Regina, you just divorced the man, he’s someone else’s problem now. And Brian, this isn’t about you, but I guess it is since you’re withRegina.”