Read Her Premarital Ex (The Alexanders Book 3) Online
Authors: Tina Martin
Tags: #suspense, #reflection, #true love, #unrequited love, #jealousy, #stalker, #fiction romance
“You deserve it. See you
around.”
“
So I have
some bad news,” Gabrielle
said to Padma as they sat in the living room at Padma’s
house.
“What’s wrong?”
“Did he say why? I thought
he’d be thrilled to know that you wanted to learn the inner
workings of the restaurant business.”
“I thought so too, but he
didn’t like it. I’m not going to go into detail about what he
said...just wanted you to know that I’m not coming with you guys on
Friday so I hope you and Lalita will have a blast.”
“No, Padma. This is
something I need to work out with Tyson, and frankly, if he doesn’t
want me to go, I won’t go. I love and respect my husband and I have
no issues being a submissive wife.”
“At least I’ll be here to
monitor the garden...meet the students there and all.”
“Prasad will be there too.
I had already told him that you were coming with me to Chicago,
so—”
“I’ll tell him not to
bother.”
“No. Just let things stay
like they are. Prasad will meet you there and that way, you’re not
there alone.”
“Okay.” Gabrielle buried
her face in her hands, exasperated, trying to think of a way to get
through to Tyson. “Oh, wait a minute. Gosh, what am I thinking? I’m
supposed to be going with Tyson to Atlanta this weekend, so I won’t
be here to meet the students at the garden.” She shook her head.
“I’m so out of it, Padma. Tyson and I had such a good morning and
then when I mentioned something about Chicago, everything fell
apart. But, anyway, I’m not going to dwell on it. What’s going on
with you?”
“Besides getting ready for
this trip? Nothing. Oh, I did want to ask you something,
Gabrielle.”
“What’s that?”
“Beatrice told me that
Dilvan told her he spoke with you the day of your wedding
reception.”
“What
did
he have to say?”
“Something about Tyson, of
course...sounded like he was making up stuff as he went
along.”
“Um...said Tyson was a
sniper...tried to imply that Tyson killed some guy named Dennis who
was supposedly his best friend.” Gabrielle giggled. “Then, as if
this wasn’t strange enough, he tells me that Dennis stole his
ex-
fiancée
, Desiree, from him so out of retaliation, Tyson killed the
man.” Gabrielle laughed more but when she saw the stoic, serious
look on Padma’s face, her smile gradually faded.
“Padma?” Gabrielle said.
“That’s not true, right?”
“Well, I told you Tyson’s
friend Dennis was sleeping with Desiree. You remember?”
“Yeah, but Tyson isn’t a
murderer. He’s the sweetest man I know, well other than my dad, of
course.”
“Listen, dear. I love
Tyson like a son, but there
were
rumors about his involvement in Dennis’
death.”
“But—”
“And Tyson
was
a sniper...that part
is true as well.”
Gabrielle’s eyes widened
and brightened. With raised eyebrows, she said, “A sniper?
My
Tyson was a
sniper?”
“Yes, dear.”
Tyson
jumped in is Range Rover and sped out of the driveway like a
mad man. He was furious that he couldn’t get in touch with
Gabrielle. This morning, after breakfast, she had left for Padma’s
and it was clear to him that she was disappointed about the Chicago
trip, but that was no excuse for not answering her
phone.
“Hey, nephew,” Colin said.
“What on earth are you doing out here in this storm?”
“I’m looking for
Gabrielle,” Tyson said standing on the deck.
“Here,” Colin said,
opening the door wider. “Come on in and get out of this
rain.”
“Yeah. Where is
she?”
“You just missed her. She
left here ‘bout ten minutes ago. I’m surprised you didn’t pass her
on the road.”
“Yep. All day.”
“Where was her
phone?”
“Don’t know. I didn’t see
her with a phone so I guess it was either in her purse or maybe
she’d left it in the car.”
“I wouldn’t worry Tyson.
Gabrielle’s fine. She’s probably already home by now,” Padma
assured him.
“Padma, what did Gabrielle
say to you?”
“She told me you didn’t
want her to go to Chicago with Lalita and I. She was pretty upset
about it.”
“Here you go,” Colin said,
tossing a towel to Tyson so he could wipe his face.
“Thanks,” Tyson told him.
“I’m going to head back home to see if she’s there.”
“Have you tried calling?”
Colin inquired.
“Yes. She’s not
answering...probably still angry with me.”
“Let me give it a shot,”
Padma said. With her phone to her ear, she listened to the rings –
one after another. No answer. “Nothing...just getting voicemail,
but maybe her ringer’s off.”
“Maybe,” Tyson said. “I’m
going to go.”
“Tyson, wait...I need to
tell you something. Ah...Gabrielle told me some stuff that Dilvan
told her about you.”
“You know I don’t care
what Dilvan has to say about me.”
“Well, maybe you should
care this time.”
“Why’s that?”
“He told her you were a
sniper.”
“That’s not all. She also
knows about Dennis and the rumors...”
“Wow,” Tyson said. “I
can’t believe this.”
“I’m sure if you sit down
and talk to her about it—”
“No. I’m not bringing old
garbage into my marriage.”
“But Tyson, it may be time
to address the rumors,” Padma said like she wanted answers
herself.
“What rumors?”
“About Dennis. People
think you had something to do with it.”
“I’m glad I’ve never been
a person to care what people think.”
“What about your wife? You
care what she thinks?” Colin asked.
“Of course I do. I gotta
go. I’ll see you guys later.”
Gabrielle
stood in the shower, just standing under the
lukewarm water. It had been a long day, a day that started at 4:00
a.m. with running on the beach with Tyson, making passionate love
afterwards. After breakfast, he’d been adamant about not wanting
her to work. His ideology had upset her. What man didn’t want a
woman who wanted to better herself? That’s all she wanted. She
wasn’t asking for much.
“Tyson, why are you in the
shower with you clothes on?”
“My clothes were already
wet with me running around in the rain, trying to find you, so what
does it matter, Gabrielle?”
Guess it doesn’t
matter.
She looked at him, giving his face
a thorough once over. The dominant frowns in his forehead made her
shiver.
“Why have you been
avoiding me?” he asked again, in an eerie, monotone.
“I haven’t.”
“You have,” he said with
flared nostrils. “I called you over a dozen times.”
“Well I left my phone in
my purse. It must be on silent or something, okay?”
“Tyson, I’m sorry, okay,
but it’s not like you didn’t know where I was. I told you I was
going to Padma’s house.”
“I didn’t do—”
“Don’t play games with me,
Gabrielle. Don’t do that to me!”
“I’m not
playi—”
“I have to ride around
here in this storm, thinking something happened to you, feeling
like my world is falling apart when all you had to do was pick up
the phone and call me...don’t ever do that to me again! Do you
understand me?”
“Tyson—”
“Do you understand me?” he
asked in a raised tone.
“I’m sorry, Tyson...didn’t
mean to hurt you. I’m sorry,” she said watching water wet his
worried face.