Wife's Bitter Revenge Against Neglectful CEO Husband-Chapter 27: Dinner with Friends

Jake shook his head and slumped in on himself. "Don’t know. Eve came out of the coma but denies having children. In fact, she doesn’t remember anything about our marriage or how she ended up in the condition she is in.

"I scoured the house for clues. Nothing. Their stuff was still in their rooms, as best as I could tell. No one could tell me anything about the boys. The police couldn’t even track down Eve’s mom, so I hired detectives.

"I’ve sold everything that I didn’t lose because Eve stopped paying her share of the bills. I’ve spent the proceeds and all of my savings on detectives and Eve’s nursing home bills. Almost every cent of my retirement pay goes to the detectives to keep them on the case and looking for Drake and Devon.

"Those boys, even though I’m not their biological father, mean everything to me. I failed them. I’ve got a duty as a parent to make it up to them."

"Jake, I’m so sorry. Compared to your story, my troubles are nothing."

Jake shrugged. "It is what it is. Like I said, everyone has problems. Those are mine."

The hacker in me went to work assessing the situation and considering whether there was anything I could do to help. Of course, the boys could be dead. There was nothing I could do about that, but if they were still alive, there might be a trail I could follow.

"Jake, you don’t know me, but if you will trust me, I might be able to help. No promises, but I’ve got some, let’s say, skills in tracking missing things."

"You don’t need to get messed up in my business. I didn’t help you for a handout."

"What if I could arrange a trade of services? Would you consider that?"

"I won’t do anything illegal."

"Nothing illegal."

At least on his end. What I did wasn’t always necessarily legal.

Give me a minute.

I stepped into the restroom and pulled out my phone.

"Father DiMarco, do you need help with the renovations?"

"I’m working on hiring a contractor, but certainly. What did you have in mind?"

I shared Jake’s story with Father DiMarco.

"Teela, that’s horrible. And you trust this Jake? I mean, he isn’t like Bea. You met this guy on the street."

"Yeah, I know. That is why I wanted to ask you what you thought first."

"Where are you, Teela? How about I pick you up and meet this fellow? I’ll make a decision then."

I bought Jake and I a late lunch. The rye bread on the patty melt was fresh and fragrant. The sandwich was messy, but the flavors were well thought out and evenly layered to the point I’d eaten the whole sandwich before I knew it.

Jake had finished his meatloaf meal and most of my fries when Father DiMarco joined us. I introduced the men, then sat back and let them chat. A half-hour later, Jake was in Father DiMarco’s minivan with us.

I had a new roommate.

I borrowed Father DiMarco’s vehicle and left the men to work out sleeping arrangements while I purchased groceries. I was so used to Lettie telling me what to cook that it was a little overwhelming to be in a store with endless possibilities and no limitations.

Ultimately, I picked up the ingredients for a lasagna, a French bread loaf, and salad fixings. I stopped at the bakery and picked up a chocolate Italian cream cake for dessert. Wine was a must, but I wasn’t sure everyone liked wine, so I added the beer the store clerk recommended.

I was cutting it close between when I arrived home and when I’d arranged for Stiff and Bea to join us for dinner. Jake offered to help with the salad while Father DiMarco set the table. I could see that Jake had a good figure without the jacket on. He was good with the knife, too. His cuts were sharp and quick. He moved around the kitchen quietly, asking questions only when he couldn’t find something or thought he could help me.

When someone knocked on the door, the lasagna had another fifteen minutes to cook. As Stiff and Bea were my friends, I excused myself to answer the door. I was surprised to find both on the doorstep. I could envision them dating. They would make a cute couple.

The vision was cut short when Stiff grinned and engulfed me in a bone-crushing hug and a lip-smacking kiss.

"There you are, Night Shadows. I missed you."

"You saw me this morning."

Bea said, "Hey, wait, you know Night Shadows? How do you know Night Shadows?"

I said, "Bea, remember I told you about Stiff. Meet Michael Allen, aka Stiff."

"This is Stiff? Really? How did you meet? Wait, he looks familiar."

I couldn’t help but smile. Bea had a way of catching up quickly, but she loved the details.

"Why don’t I introduce you to everyone, and I’ll fill you in on the details during dinner?"

"Oh, can I help?" Stiff asked.

"We’ve got everything under control unless you want to pour the wine."

"I can do that."

Dinner was good. I’d outdone myself on the lasagna. Jake’s Italian vinaigrette for the salad was spot on. I’d even done a great job picking out the wine.

The conversation flowed easily after the initial introductions, just as I expected it would. Father DiMarco, Stiff, and Bea were all outgoing people who weren’t about to leave anyone out.

Jake was quieter. Every time a smile reached his lips, he pulled it back as if he felt guilty for having any positive thoughts while his boys were missing. My heart went out to him. I knew he was a grown man, practically a stranger, but I had the overwhelming urge to hug him.

After the second bottle of wine, Jake decided to share his story with the group. I gave in to the urge. I went over to him.

"Jake, is it okay if I give you a hug? I’d really like to hug you."

He nodded, and I wrapped my arms around him. He rested his cheek against my chest. His arms went around me, and we shared energy. I took away as much of his pain as I could. When a sob escaped him, I stroked his head.

"Aw, Jake." Bea jumped up and engulfed both of us in a hug. Soon, she was crying too.

I took turns comforting Jake and Bea until Stiff interrupted.

"Okay, okay. Enough of that. This is supposed to be a happy gathering. You all need to pull it together before Father DiMarco and I cry, too. Besides, I’ve been eyeing that cake for an hour now. It’s time for cake."

We pulled it together. Father DiMarco announced himself capable of serving cake, but I had my doubts. He pulled Stiff into the project while Bea excused herself to fix her makeup.

Jake said, "Thanks, Teela. I needed that. It’s been a long time since anyone has shown me that kind of compassion. I was lucky to meet you—to meet all these people.

"I know I’m a stranger who could just as easily be trying to pull a con as telling the truth. You have no reason to believe me or help me. I’m blessed, but why me?"

I tilted my head. "I don’t know. Sometimes, you’ve just got to go with your gut. My gut says you’re a good guy."

"I promise I’ll do right by Father DiMarco."

"I trust you will."

We took the cake and the rest of the wine to the living room. Father DiMarco pulled out a trivia game and was setting it up when my phone rang. Seeing the call was from King, I stepped out of the room to take the call.

"Are you Mrs. Heavenly?" It wasn’t King.

I confirmed I was.

"I’m the manager of The Trigger Bar. Your husband is drunk at the bar. Too drunk to put in a car. Can you come get him?"

I wasn’t going to get him. He had a mistress to do that. Min would take care of him or any of his brothers. He didn’t need me.

"I’ll call someone to come get him."

"He said he wanted you."

"No, not me."

"Here, talk to him."

The phone changed hands and King’s slurred voice filled my ear. "Teela, you’re my wife. I want you."

"You don’t want me. You want Nan. What is her number? I’ll call her for you. Or Daniel. I’ll call him."

"You, Teela. I’m not going anywhere without you. You smell nice."

What the hell? He’d never complimented me before. He’d also never asked me to pick him up.

"I’ll buy you one tomorrow. Call Uber tonight. Please."

"King, I have guests. I can’t just walk out."

The call ended.

I debated the right decision. He was my husband. I had a responsibility to him under normal circumstances. There was nothing normal about King being drunk. Nor was it normal that we were separated.

On the other hand, King had rescued us from Anya’s wrath today. He’d kept Bea from having to go to jail. It was only fair that I repay kindness with kindness.