Page 93 of Checkmate
“Well said, Erica.” Liv raised her drink to her. “Hear hear.”
Erica pulled away from Alex, taking a seat on the sofa that faced him. She wanted to see his reaction to the conversation.
“You don’t think there’s ever a reason?” Josh asked.
“Never,” she said, shaking her head. “Most of the time, there is no reason. Just some asshole getting their jollies by screwing around.”
“Agreed,” Lottie said. “It’s disgusting, actually, what some men would do for a bit of pussy.”
“You’re lucky mum isn’t here to hear you talk like that,” Josh teased.
Alex chuckled as he took his seat next to Erica, resting his hand on her knee. “Apparently, we have some very strong opinions on cheaters.”
“Lucky I don’t have to worry about that, hm?” She met Alex’s gaze, wanting to see something there. A shred of sincerity, an ounce of regret.
Instead, she only saw the confidence of a man who believed he’d never get caught.
“You never have to worry, Erica. I doubt anyone could love someone as much as I love you.”
“Aw!” Liv cooed, slapping Josh’s arm playfully. “Why aren’t you romantic like that?”
Erica joined in with the laughter, a stilted smile on her face. Inside, she was reeling. How could he stare her in the eye and lie like that? Was he really that arrogant? Did he think himself untouchable?
The conversation continued without her, all the while Alex sitting there and relishing the praise lavished on him.
What a perfect husband he was. How romantic were his words? Did a more beautiful relationship exist?
Erica could feel the rage bubbling. How dare he sit there and pretend he was something he wasn’t!
Was his ego so big that he needed to feed it lies and pretence? Clearly, he had no respect for her, nor did he care for her on the level he said. He was just an arrogant prick who liked a pretty lady on his arm.
“Dinner!” Debra shouted from the kitchen. “Everyone at the table, please.”
“Finally,” Josh said, helping Liv to her feet. “Time to get fat.”
“You go ahead,” Erica said as Alex reached for her hand. “I’m just gonna finish my drink.”
Shrugging, Alex sat at the table, back to joking around with Josh.
“Eri?” She looked up at Lottie, raising her eyebrow. “When the time comes, you make sure you go for the jugular, okay? I want this mother fucker to hurt.”
Chapter 24
Marcus
“Merry Christmas, Sophie. Time to wake up.”
The last time Marcus woke Sophie up with breakfast in bed was on the morning of her birthday.
Like he had then, Marcus had made sure her meal was perfect, with nothing for her to complain about. Like she had then, he was sure she’d find something.
But this morning, it didn’t bother him.
He wouldn’t let it bother him. This morning was the beginning and end of something, a day to mourn and look to the future.
He was more than ready to take that step.
“You can’t have your present if you don’t open your eyes.”
