Page 94 of Malicious Marriage

“No.”

“Ah. Be careful. You know I don’t like being told no. Look, Clover. It’s for the good of the family! You remember how eager I was to expand our business into the weapons sector. The drug and prostitution trade only takes you so far. So imagine my delight when I came back from France and found out you’dmarried fucking Dean Savoy! That man is the king of weapons deals. Do you knowwhyI was so excited?”

I have to warn Dean somehow. But we’re being watched. “Tell me.”

“Because you become the next in line when Dean dies! He has no siblings, no other family, and that fucking kid that bitch shot out isn’t even his! The only person his empire can go to is you! And with all his generals distracted by the war with the Russians, no one will notice me sweeping in to take over until the ground is fully on my head.”

My head spins. Is this why he covered for me? Why he congratulated me and did absolutely nothing to reveal my lies? I was so caught up in finding Hailey that I didn’t even think about something this insane.

“No,” I choke out the best I can. “I can’t.”

“Hmm. You don’t understand the full picture. I get it. Let me send you a little something.”

My phone buzzes as a message pings through. Taking the phone away from my ear, I open the message. My heart turns to ice and drops right down to my gut like a ten-ton rock as Hailey’s beaten, tear-stained face flashes up on my screen. Her mouth is open in a silent scream as her hair is dragged to one side.

I’m about to be sick.

“You see?” Malcom hisses as I lift the phone back to my ear. “Your little trip across the world to find her led me right to her and I've been after that bitch for years. So thanks for that. Now, just so we’re clear, if you don’t kill Dean then I’ll kill Hailey. Understand?”

40

DEAN

Who is Clover talking to?

My stomach gurgles in discomfort as Clover’s reactions and sudden change in demeanor lead me to believe something has happened to Bobby. Does Frankie need some kind of permission or assistance? I want to offer my help but Clover turns her back to me and remains silent, then she hangs up the phone. Her head tips back and she dabs at her eyes, then she turns to face me.

“Is everything okay? Is it Bobby?”

Clover looks me directly in the eyes. “You’re right, I did lie to you. But I’m not sorry about it. You see, I never cared for you, Dean. You were a means to an end. You’re gullible and weak, far too easy to trick, and frankly, you should be ashamed of yourself for how someone likemewas able to take a great Savoy for a ride like this. You even believed Icaredfor you? Maybe I loved you? You’re pathetic and I have nothing else to say to you.”

“Bullshit,” I snap back at the sudden coldness pouring from Clover. “Clover, you are my wife and Iknowyou.”

“No you don’t.”

“Yes I do. And I know something is wrong. You have to tell me the truth. I deserve that much.”

“No!” She surges forward suddenly and shoves me out of the kitchen and into the hall. “You deserve nothing. I want you to stew in this and know that someone like me was able to pull the wool over your eyes. I want you to know that everything you thought about us for the past few months was just a game to me!” With every sentence, she pushes me further and further down the hall. “Get out, okay? Get out and don’t come back! We’re done. I never want to see you again and if I do, you will regret it, understand? Get out!”

I’m too stunned to speak or react and soon, I’m back outside stumbling down the steps as Clover slams the door in my face. The door then rattles as she locks it and pulls all the chains into position.

What the fuck is going on?

Maybe I’ve been wrong all this time and the truth I demanded is exactly what she just yelled at me. She’s been taking me for a ride all this time, like I’m some kind of game. But if that’s the truth then what’s her end game? Humiliation? Hurt?

I stumble back to the car and Jack’s concerned gaze greets me as I flop inside.

“What happened?”

“I…” Throwing both hands up, I shake my head. “I have no idea. I don’t… I don’t understand.”

“You wanna talk?”

Shaking my head, I close my eyes. “I need to process.”

Jack falls silent and as we drive away from the Byrne estate, I try to unravel everything in my mind. I came here determined to get the truth out of her, but what I found doesn’t feel like the truth. It felt almost performative how quickly she switched up. Maybe that’s just my wishful thinking.

Maybe the truth is exactly how she presented it.