Page 27 of Rough Return

“Did she know him before prison or did someone arrange this?” Someone had to have introduced them. Fiona wasn’t the kind of girl who hung around prisons looking to fill staff vacancies. When he’d known her before, she was the kind of girl who hung around Starbucks. Now, honestly, he couldn’t say. Didn’t know that and a hell of a lot more about his wife.

“I don’t know.”

“Can you find out?” If anyone could, it was Sage. He talked when he needed, but more he was the strong silent type who knew how to blend in and listen.

“He’s security. I’m security. I can take him out for a beer or ten, get him talking.”

Grier nodded. “Thanks. I owe you one.”

“Why the sudden interest?”

Sudden wasn’t quite the right word. “He’s been staying with Fiona.” He shook his head. “As her protection.” And he’d just become one of those guys who used air quotes. God, he hated those guys.

“Well, you’re not.”

Grier shot him a scowl.

“Dude, they have pills. Just swallow your pride and—”

“I don’t need fucking pills.” Damn her. Damn Sedotal. Damn the little blue pills. Damn it all.

“They aren’t just for fucking.”

Grier threw up his hands. He needed a drink. Something strong. And now.

* * *

“Hello?” Even groggy, her voice turned him on. Maybe because he was picturing her in that damned black robe and whatever lacy thing she’d been hiding underneath it.

“Hey, baby.” If his words slurred, it was probably because he hadn’t slept well for days. Weeks. Since the first time he’d seen her again, sat next to her on the plane and first inhaled her perfume. Or maybe it was the tequila. Probably the tequila.

“Grier?”

Oh, the way she said his name. “I don’t want you to sleep with Sedotal. I don’t want you to have anyone else’s baby.” He wanted her to have his baby, dammit.

“Are you drunk?” Her voice shrilled between cell towers and landed in his ear.

“No.” He sighed. He didn’t want to lie to her. “Yeah. But I wasn’t drunk four hours ago, and I didn’t want you to sleep with him then either.”

“Grier, I’m going back to bed. You should, too.”

“Can I come over?” God. He sounded desperate. “I just want to see you.”

“Go to bed.”

“Fiona, wait.” He could still hear her breathing on the line. “I want to take back all the things I said. Not tonight. I meant that. Don’t sleep with him.” Oh, God. What if Sedotal was lying beside Fiona now? “Is he there?”

“No. I told him I don’t need him to stay here anymore.”

“Good.” Unless she’d already slept with him. “Did you guys…?”

“Goodbye, Grier.” She hung up.

Well, that hadn’t gone the way he’d hoped. Damn the tequila filling him with stupid ideas that he could have her and their baby and the life he’d always wanted.

He carried his bottle of tequila out to the parking lot behind the clubhouse and fell onto the grass. Maybe tonight he’d be able to sleep.

Fiona rolled over. Nothing but a cold pillow on the other side. No husband, though she had one. No man to keep her warm, though she should have been able to find one. Thunder cracked outside and the rain beat against the window in a steady thrum. A perfect day to snuggle up in bed and watch movies or… not watch movies.