Circle of Deception 2 (10 page)

“Allison, your mommy is the nicest person in the world. She was trying to stop me from making a huge mistake, and I made her feel bad. Your mommy loves us all so much that she took time out of her day to come and check on me and Cici. You should apologize for calling her evil. I don’t ever want to hear that come out of your mouth again. This was my fault.”

Allison looked at the tears on Meg’s face and turned back to Melia. “She’s not my mommy. She’s Jordan’s, and she only likes him. I don’t want to go with her, can I stay here?”

Emily huffed and started off towards Allison, but Meg stuck her hand up to stop her. “Leave her alone. I’ll send Alex over to get her later,” Meg said and backed out the door. Emily rolled her eyes at Melia and followed Meg out to the car. Once she reached her, she took her keys away and wrapped her arms around her distraught friend. “She hates me. I don’t know how much more of this I can take.”

“Don’t take any more. You march in there and snatch her little ass up. You’re too kind for her to treat you that way. I’m with Alex, it’s time to break out the belt and wear her out.”

“Just take me home, I just want to be with my son right now.”

“I’ll drive you home, but I’m calling Alex. It’s time he put a stop to his little demon seed. She is acting like her vile mother.” Meg had given up trying to shield her from Alex’s rage. Now she was going to let him do whatever he wanted regarding her, she was way out of control. They drove in silence, as Meg thought about what to do next. When they pulled into the driveway of their house, Alex was waiting with Jordan in his arms. He looked like he wanted to burst.

“Where is she?” he roared.

“At Melia’s, she didn’t want to come with me.”

“You should have drug her out kicking and screaming. That’s it, her damn party is canceled and she is getting her ass whipped tonight. Don’t try and stop me.”

“She’s all yours,” Meg sighed and reached for Jordan. “I’m exhausted, I just want to take my son and get some rest.”

Alex saw the look of defeat on her face and pulled her to him. “Don’t you let this get you down. You’re an excellent mother.”

“I’m tired Alex, I don’t want to talk about this right now,” she walked past him with Jordan and shut the door.

While Meg went into the house quietly, Emily positioned her hands on her hips and stared Alex down. “You better fix this fast before that little girl causes her to walk away. She is out of control.”

“I’m handling it, and for the record, this is not your business. Go home to Aiden.”

Alex jumped in his car and when Emily jumped in the passenger seat, he looked at her like she was crazy. “What do you want?”

“You’re right, it’s not my business. I was out of line for butting in, I just hate to see Meg like this. I don’t want to make matters worse, I just need a ride to my car then I’m out of your hair.” Alex sighed and started up the engine. He set out to drive Emily to her car, and once she was out, he headed towards Melia’s. He knew he had to calm himself down, because if he didn’t he was going to snap Allison in half. She had to be punished for what she had done, and he was going to see it through.

When he arrived, she was sitting with her head in the corner, and he could hardly contain his anger for Melia as he made his way through the house. Once Allison was secured in the car and Cienna was stashed away in her room, he started in on her. “Just because you’re hell-bent on destroying your marriage doesn’t mean you can snap at my wife and make scenes in front of our daughter. You knew what they were going through, and you made matters worse. I don’t care what happens between you and Matt, but you are not welcome at my house until Meg forgives you. You owe her a huge apology and you don’t need to come back until she gets it.”

Melia knew today’s events were all because of her. She set a storm in motion, and now not only was Meg angry with her, she had caused a rift in their family as well. She knew she had to do something to fix it, but what? Now, hardly anyone was speaking to her because of her actions, and she only had herself to blame. She had to make things up to Meg, she was the one person in the world who always had her back up until now.

“Alex, you have every right to be angry with me, and I deserve it. I am taking out my frustrations on everyone and I’m so wrong, but you should know, Allison told me what’s bothering her. She is convinced that Meg isn’t her real mother and that she will never love her the way she loves Jordan. That’s why she’s acting out. You should talk to her before you do anything rash.”

Alex stepped back and gripped the couch in front of him. “Why would she think that? Meg loves her. She is at home heartbroken because of this.”

“I know, and I made things worse. I have let this thing get way out of hand. It’s time to finish what I started.”

Alex nodded his head and turned to leave. Before he got out the door, he turned to look at her one last time. “Talk to Matt, he needs you, and you need him. Don’t do what I did, don’t just let him walk away. You will regret it. He messed up, but don’t let it cost you everything.”

She swallowed hard and closed her eyes. “I can’t Alex.”

“You can, don’t give up. You’re not her, you’re not Maria.” Melia collapsed on the floor, and Alex turned to lift her up. “I’m serious, you don’t have to carry around the burden of turning out like her, and you would never leave Cici. I know it. Now don’t make her lose her dad because you’re afraid.”

“I love him, I just don’t want him to stay with us out of obligation.”

“He wants to stay because of his love for you and that little girl. Believe him, he is crazy for you, and you’re the same for him. Fight for your family, sis. Drop this crazy divorce.”

“I’ll think about what you said.”

“Do me a favor, go to the mediation with an open mind, and give him a chance to speak his peace.”

“Will do,” she sighed.

“I love you, sis, and thank you for talking to Allison.”

“I love you too, and you’re welcome. Tell Meg I’m sorry.”

“Tell her yourself, in the morning. Tonight, I have to try and make her feel better.”

“You know what to do,” she smirked.

“You bet I do,” he snickered and walked out the door.

***

Matt got off the elevator and sighed heavily. He had been informed by his lawyer’s assistant that the mediation had been moved up and that they were to meet at the boardroom of Alex and Aiden’s law firm at two. He noticed the lack of cars, and saw that they had given everyone the day off in preparation of the grudge match he and his wife would have there. How it ever came to this, he would never know.

As he made his way to the door, he noted that it was exactly two and he had yet to see his lawyer arrive. When he walked around the corner, he saw her sitting there also missing a lawyer, and that’s when it hit him. There was no mediation today, this was what Alex meant when he said to seize the opportunity. He walked in and took a seat, silently praising Alex for the interlude he had created for them. Now, it was up to him to seal the deal and get his wife and child back.

When Matt walked in and pulled his hands from around his back to reveal a large bouquet of her favorite flowers. He saw her eyes widen in amazement and then, she must have thought about their situation, because an instant later her cold demeanor returned. To anyone else, this might have discouraged them, but to him, it let him know he was on the right track. Her first reaction had given him all he needed to know. He sat the flowers in front of her and took his seat. The look in her eyes said she wanted to take them, but she was trying to keep up her brave front. He sat back in his seat and admired her beauty. Her dark hair flowed past her shoulders, and her sparkling green eyes shone brightly even through the angry facade she was trying to keep up.

“Mel, you look incredible,” he said, breaking the silence. “How are you, my love?”

“I’m fine,” she huffed. “Where are our lawyers? With the money they’re being paid, you would think they could be on time.”

“I know, right,” he chuckled nervously. “Here I thought I was the late one. I rushed in here without even parking my car good.” When they laughed together, he saw a glimmer of his old wife in her eyes. However, when reality sank in, she smiled subtly before dropping her eyes back to the table.
I’m making progress,
he thought. He hadn’t seen her smile in so long, and it was only a matter of time before he made her do it again. “So Cici tells me she’s going to a sleepover tomorrow, I guess she forgot I would be there too.”

“Yeah, I’m surprised Meg and Alex are letting Allison have visitors after what happened yesterday.”

“I heard things got ugly. What happened?”

“It was all my fault. I made some comments I shouldn’t have and made a big scene. I was just lashing out and hurt Meg.”

“It was probably more my fault than anything,” he sighed. “I drove you to this.”

Melia looked down as tears began to form in her eyes. Matt rushed to the seat next to her, and pulled her into his arms. “Shh, don’t cry. Everything will be okay, baby. I’m here.”

He bent his head down to kiss her tears away, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. He held her tight as he continued to kiss her. His kisses got lower and lower and she threw her head back to accept them. Before long, he started working on the buttons of her shirt, and she sobered instantly. “No, we can’t do this. I have to get out of here.” She stood and walked towards the door, but he caught her and moved her hand from the doorknob.

“No, you can’t go. We need to talk.”

“We have nothing to talk about.”

“We have everything to talk about. I miss you. I think about you every second of every day. I messed up, baby, but you have to give me a chance. I have loved you ever since the first time we kissed, and I won’t let it end this way.”

“Matt, you want something I can’t give you. You want to be who we used to be, and we aren’t those people anymore. We have a child now.”

“I know we have a child, and I love her, but you don’t have to stop being my wife because you’re a mother. You married me, not Cienna.”

Melia jerked backwards and threw her hands on her hips. “See, this is why we can’t work. You want to act like she isn’t here.”

“No, you don’t get to flip this. I love Cici, but you use her as an excuse to neglect me.”

“I don’t neglect you, you’re exaggerating.”

“Melia, when was the last time we did anything exciting just for us?” She paused and looked at him blankly. “See, you can’t even remember.”

“It doesn’t matter now because we’re done. You won’t have that worry anymore.”

“It’s not over until I say it’s over. I won’t sign one damn paper. I’ll draw this out for years if I have to until you realize that I’m not letting you go.”

“Like hell you will,” she snapped. “I’ll end this with or without your consent.”

“You can’t,” he laughed harshly. She drew back to slap him, but he grabbed her wrist and pulled her to him. She was breathing heavily and he held her still as she glared at him. They looked at each other with contempt, and then he tossed her into the nearest chair. She was in shock as she hit the chair hard and he leaned over her, ripping her shirt open. “I love you, and I won’t give up without a fight.” He buried his head between her breasts and she swung at him with all her might. When he pulled her up and pushed her on the table, she swallowed hard.

He ripped her panties off just as he did her shirt and pulled her to him. When he submerged his head between her legs, she stilled and then began to moan. She reached down and gripped his head as he maneuvered his tongue against her warm flesh. He then moved his hands to her thighs and gripped them tightly as he continued his intimate kisses to her most private area. She began to writhe under him as he took her into sweet oblivion. While pleasuring her, he fumbled with is pants, dropping them and his boxers to the floor. When he finally came up from his exquisite torture, he looked at her dazed and confused expression and stood over her.

She watched as he moved her legs apart and joined her on the table. Before he knew it, he was inside her with such force, he felt her spread to accommodate him. With each thrust, he pushed her legs further apart and she moved to match his pace. Matt had always been so gentle and tender with her, but this encounter was far different. Maybe it was the thought of losing her that drove him over the edge, whatever it was, he never wanted it to end. When he bent down and captured her breast as he continued his deep thrusts, she let out a scream.

“Oh, Matt, don’t stop.”

He was comfortable enough to take them all the way, but as soon as he remembered what Alex had said to him, he stopped and disconnected their overheated bodies. “I’m sorry. You didn’t want this, and I shouldn’t have taken advantage of you.” He bent down and pulled his pants and boxers up, stepping away from her. He looked at her jumbled expression and fought the urge to laugh. He knew she wanted him to keep going, but he needed to see this plan through. If he was going to get her back, he had to leave her wanting more.

“Matt,” she whispered. “What just... I mean, why?”

“I had to stop. You told me to leave you alone, and I have to respect that. I can’t go forcing myself on you.”

“But you didn’t...”

“No, Mel, I’m sorry. I’ll just go home. I’m sorry.”