Circle of Deception 2 (7 page)

She pushed his hand away and turned her back suddenly. “I can’t listen to you right now. You’re clouding my judgment, and I have to think straight for both me and our daughter.”

“You don’t have to do this alone, she is both of our responsibility.”

“Yeah, she is, but she is only my choice. I chose her over everything else when she was born, and you’re just now deciding that she is important after almost a week of the cold shoulder. I don’t need you to pick her up when you’re fascinated and dropping her when the novelty wears off.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying I want to sleep in separate bedrooms after tonight. You can stay here, but I want you to think of us as doing a trial separation.”

“You’re leaving me?” Matt cried out emotionally. “What about our vows did they mean anything to you?”

She sat up and crossed her arms over her chest. “Our vows meant something to me, but my child means more. When it comes to a choice between the two, she wins.”

“What about me? What about us and everything we mean to each other?”

“I love you, you know I do, but love isn’t enough obviously. You need time to grow up, and I’m giving it to you. Cici and I will be fine. You need to work on you and learn how to prioritize. Until then, I can’t be with you.”

Matt huffed and fell back on the bed. He felt like the wind had been knocked out of him. He thought she would have calmed down by now. Instead, she had severed their relationship for god knows how long. He knew once she had her mind made up, she wasn’t backing down easily. This was the worst possible outcome to their fight, and he had only himself to blame. He watched her as she laid back down and placed a pillow between them, she really meant business, and all he could do was sit back and watch.

The next morning, Matt woke to find his things packed and waiting beside the door. She had to have gotten up super early to have his things waiting for him, that was if she even slept at all. When he called for her, there was no answer. He got dressed and walked downstairs where he found a note.

I took Cici with me to keep her from seeing you moving out of my room. Please have everything gone before you go to work. M.

Matt clutched the note and dropped to the couch. Everything was falling apart around him, and he was helpless to stop it. He went back upstairs and grabbed his bags, dragging them down to one of the free rooms, and once he had the last bag, he closed the door to his old room and tears flowed down his cheeks. He hadn’t slept alone in over seven years, and now he had no choice, she was gone. Her will to fight for them was diminished, and he was devastated. He couldn’t possibly go on without her and Cienna, he had to make things right.

The trip to work was somber for Matt, and when he passed Julia with a group in the hallway, he didn’t even acknowledge them. She picked up on his foul mood, and excused herself from the group with a huge grin and her hidden agenda. If Matt only knew, everything he sent to Melia had been canceled right after he ordered it, he would be livid, but she knew Melia wasn’t speaking to him, so how could they discuss the missing gifts?

Julia went in and closed the door behind her, walking right into a set of angry eyes. “Get out!” he roared. When she didn’t turn away or bat an eye, he walked around his desk. “I said get your ass out of here. I’m not in the mood for your shit this morning.”

Julia chuckled and took a seat it the chair in front of his desk. “Whatever argument you had before you came in here has you tripping. You’re snapping at anyone you can, trying to distract yourself from the real problem. What’s wrong? The Ice Princess won’t let you come out and play?”

Matt couldn’t contain himself. Before he knew it, he raced over and grabbed her by her wrists. He had fury in his eyes, but she was undoubtedly amused. When he grabbed her, she leaned into him and whispered. “Somebody should have told you I like it rough. You’re only turning me on.” Before he could toss her back, she planted her lips over his. Matt was caught off guard and before he could push her away, his office door swung open. He cursed himself for letting one of his subordinates find him in such a compromising position, but when he turned to find Melia in the company of Aiden, he froze in place.

Aiden had come by to check on him, and Melia had convinced herself after leaving that maybe she had been too harsh on him and decided to try to talk things out. Coming to his office was a spur of the moment decision that she was now regretting. Both she and Aiden were standing with blank stares as Julia pulled herself away and wiped her lipstick that was smeared on her face. They all stood in silence, and then Julia tried to excuse herself from the room. When Aiden slammed the door in her face before she could exit, she knew she was in trouble.

“You listen to me, you’re out of here. Clear your shit out and never come back. You’re fired!” Aiden growled.

“You can’t fire me,” Julia huffed.

“I can and I did unless you want me to file harassment charges on you.”

“No one would believe...”

Melia came out of nowhere and punched Julia, sending her flying into the door. The impact made a loud noise, and both Aiden and Matt tried to restrain her. “Get off me, don’t touch me. I hope you had fun with this bitch because she can have you. I was here to see if we could fix this, but now I don’t want to. Just get your things and get out of my house. I want a divorce.”

Matt ran around to her and grabbed her arm. When she felt his hand on her, she went crazy. She pushed him back and swung several times. He threw his arms over his face to take cover, but her hits continued. She kept swinging until she got tired and descended to the floor. Aiden looked to Matt and then back to Melia and dropped down to pick her up. “Come on, sis, let’s go.” It was clear to Matt then and there what side Aiden was on.

Julia watched as they walked out, and Matt threw his arm out to her. “You heard him, get your shit and go. You’re fired.” Julia looked to his expression to see if he was serious, and saw his stoic stance and turned to walk away, but stopped short. “You don’t get to throw me away a second time. This time I’m choosing to be done with you. You stole everything from me years ago, and now I’ve finally paid you back. You played with my feelings and stole my innocence with beautiful lies, and now your precious wife is no longer yours. How does it feel to be tossed aside?”

Matt gave her the angriest look he could work up and crossed his arms to keep himself from striking her. “This is not high school Julia, this is my life you’re messing with. Yes, I fucked you and then when Melia came along, I left you. You want to act all wounded, but let’s be real for a second. You never wanted me, you just wanted what you thought I could give you. So excuse me if your feelings don’t mean anything to me. You never had what it took to be mine and you never will. She knows how to hold down a household and take care of my child better than any woman ever could, and being with her trumps any sexual performance you ever gave. You see, she is not just the girl you smash and pass, but you are. Listen to me and listen well, even if she weren’t in the picture, you would never have me. You’re too weak. The only woman good enough to be my wife just walked out that door.”

She had heard stories about their family, but she never dreamed Matt was the unfeeling bastard they made his father out to be. This encounter showed her that she had made a mistake about him, and she decided it was time to cut her losses. The name and power were no substitute for self-respect, and looking at herself in the mirror on his wall, all hers was lost.

She turned and walked out of his office without so much as a word and fled to hers. Holding her face, she went in and began to pack. She knew she would have to pick up the pieces of her shambled life, but where would she begin? For so long getting back to Matt had been her dream, and now she had to carry on with the knowledge of how he really felt about her. Things were going to be difficult if not impossible.

Chapter Four

“Wake up, beautiful,” Nathan whispered against Maddie’s neck as he kissed her good morning. He was only gone for a few days, and rushed back to his new life with Maddie. Things were really going great for them, too bad everyone in their families weren’t having the same luck.

Matt and Melia’s situation had spread throughout the entire circle, and people were quickly making their opinions known. It was a big mess that they all wished would clear up soon, but the way Melia was feeling about everything showed that it wasn’t. She was truly a woman scorned. She had hired a divorce attorney and was out for blood.

Matt had moved out, and she had restricted his access to their house. She had changed the locks and he wasn’t allowed to come by without her being present. The one thing she did allow was for him to spend time with Cienna. As much as she despised him for what he had said and done, Cienna adored him and she wouldn’t deny her the father she loved; even if she doubted his devotion.

After being thrown out, Matt went on a downward spiral. Staying out late all night and drinking was diminishing his chances for visitation, and his brothers knew they had to step in. Watching Matt lose Melia was one thing, but losing Cienna was unacceptable. As much as they both resented what he said, they knew how much he loved his little girl. Aiden was still too furious with him to take him fully, but Alex was surprisingly sympathetic and demanded that Matt move in with him and his family until a resolution was reached.

Maddie stirred next to Nathan and rolled over to face him. She was wearing a devious smile and she caressed his cheek gently. “You’re up early. To what do I owe this pleasure?” When he positioned the breakfast tray over her legs, she giggled and kissed him. “This is wonderful, did you cook this yourself?”

“Yes, sweet lady, I made this all for you. I know you have a big day planned, and I want you to have your strength.” As much as she appreciated everything Nathan had done for her, she sighed when she thought about her tasks for the day. First, she had to see Melia, and then she was off to make that drop in visit she promised regarding Gio. She hadn’t seen him in days, and she was getting worried. They had never gone this long without some form of communication, and it was strange.

Maddie continued to think things over and picked at her food. When she looked up and saw the nervous expression on Nathan’s face, she almost crumbled. He had gone to so much trouble to surprise her, and here she was looking ungrateful. She took the fork and inched it towards her mouth, he reached for it and placed it back on the tray. “You don’t have to eat if you’re not hungry. I can tell there are some things on your mind, don’t let me force anything on you.”

“No, you went through all the trouble to make this for me, and I want you to know how grateful I am.”

He ran his hand down her face and smiled. “I know you appreciate it, and you have nothing to prove to me. I just want you to know that I’m supportive.”

“I know you are, and if you really want to help, could you do one small thing for me?”

“Anything, name it and it’s yours.”

“Come with me. Melia has been frigid and snappy with everyone, and I may need a referee in case I have to slap her into reality.”

“I’ll be there,” he smiled.

“What has you in such a good mood? Not that I’m complaining, I would just like to know.”

“You, baby,” he stroked her cheek and pushed her hair back. “I finally feel like I’m supposed to be here. For the past few days, we’ve been in this little bubble with just us, but now you want me on your arm helping you with your real issues. It’s what I’ve always wanted.”

She laughed. “Crazy in-laws and a girlfriend who might have to bitch slap her sister back into the world of the living is what you wanted? You have a sick sense of humor, baby.”

“No, I want a woman who shares everything with me, and I think you forget they’re my cousins too. I don’t want just the good because life is messy. As long as you’re sharing everything with me, I know that we have something real, and I know that I’m not here just for show. It means that you really need me the way I need you.”

Maddie’s green eyes lit up and she leaned in to kiss him gently. “I do need you, you’re finally showing me what real love is.”

“And I always will, baby. You’re the one, the one I will always love.” Maddie was a stranger to happy tears, but when they began to flow, she didn’t stop them. Nathan was everything to her, and she was beyond trying to hide how she felt around him. They kissed fervently for a few minutes and then decided it was time to begin their travels. They both agreed that Melia should be first because she was the closest, and the mediation between her and Matt would be soon. Maddie was hoping to talk some sense into her before she ruined their lives.

Nathan took the wheel and guided them towards Melia’s house, he looked over to Maddie and saw that she looked distracted. He knew what this must be doing to her, and he wanted to help get things back to normal. As much as he wanted them to reconcile, he felt Melia’s point. Matt was way in the wrong to have Julia in the office with their past history, and they all had tried to talk him out of it. Being a Hanover really had its downfall, Matt was a nice and genuine guy, and that often meant people were more than willing to take advantage of you.

The guys all knew Julia from the way she used to hang all over Matt during high school. Before he hooked up with Melia, girls would be all over him, but Julia was different. She was like a pesky itch you couldn’t scratch. She was the most persistent and finally convinced Matt to sleep with her. She thought her seduction of him would secure a spot in his life, but Ben had other plans. While Alex was dating Meg, he influenced Alex to introduce Melia into Matt’s life and the rest was history. He fell for her hard and fast and Julia was long forgotten. Melia, up until now, had no clue about their involvement, and now it was biting Matt in the ass.

When they pulled into the driveway, they noticed that only Melia’s car was present, all the other vehicles they owned were no longer displayed in front of the garage like they normally would be. They both abandoned the vehicle once it came to a stop and Nathan grabbed Maddie’s hand to lead her inside. When they rang the doorbell and the housekeeper answered, she had a look of shock on her face.

“Hello, Senora Cardoza, Senor Felton, is Mrs. Hanover expecting you?”

“No,” Maddie replied. “Rosie, what’s wrong? I always drop in when I want. What’s going on with Melia?”

“Mrs. Hanover is in a most foul mood. I wouldn’t recommend seeing her. I took Cienna to her Uncle Aiden’s early this morning.”

“Rosie, I understand your concern, but we both know I can handle her.” Maddie walked past Rosie and smiled. When they got to the living room, Rosie informed them that Melia was in the den, and Maddie stopped. “Nathan, do you think you could wait here for just a few minutes? Seeing both of us so happy, might set her off.”

“Sure,” he kissed her cheek and slapped her on the butt. “Get in there and make me proud.”

Maddie walked around the corner and found Melia sitting with a glass in her hand staring into the fireplace. She didn’t speak a word, she just sat down next to her and dropped a hand on her leg. Melia never looked her way, she just continued to sip her drink and stare into the fire. Maddie didn’t know the words to say, but she knew she had to at least try.

“How are you holding up?”

Melia set her glass on the end table and sighed. “I’m fine. Why did you come here?”

“I was worried and I needed to see you. I had to make sure you were okay.”

“Now that you see I am, could you please leave and take your boyfriend with you.”

Maddie scanned the area and saw that Nathan was still in the other room. “How did you know he was here?”

“Why wouldn’t he be? That’s what they do. They sneak their way into your bed and weave their magic on you. Pretty soon you won’t want to go anywhere without him. Let me guess, he’s being supportive, right? It’s all complete bullshit. He’s one of them, and they’re all alike. Matt, Alex, Nathan, and Aiden are all cut from the same raggedy ass cloth,” she snarled.

“I know you’re mad, but you can’t take it out on all of them. Alex is devoted to Meg and Aiden to Emily, you know that as well as I do. You may be pissed with Matt, for good reason I might add, but he loves you and Cienna so much. Nathan came at my request, and despite your harsh words, I know what I mean to him. You don’t have to shut everyone out because things aren’t going your way.”

“My way?” she stood. “Do you know that Alex and Ben orchestrated my meeting Matt in the first place to lure him away from that big tittied slut? They tricked me, just like Gio tricked you. You do know that he arranged this fling between you and Nathan, right?”

Maddie sat back and smiled lightly. She knew what Melia was trying to do, but she wouldn’t let it affect her. “I know everything. I know that Ben thought you were a better choice for his son, and you two falling in love was all on you. They may have manipulated the meeting, but the feelings are real. As far as Gio arranging for me to be next to Nathan, I guess I should thank him. Nathan is one of the best men I’ve ever known, and those three brothers are too. Matt was wrong for not giving you the entire truth about Julia, but he only loves you.”

“Love doesn’t mean shit, anymore. Now, I want revenge for all the women who have been brought down by these men who think they can have it all. He is going to regret the day he ever lied to me.”

Maddie saw a sadistic look in her eyes and gasped. She had never seen Melia in such an uproar. She was always the sweetest person, but even they had to have a breaking point. Maddie reached for her and she pulled back sharply. “Maddie I would like for you to leave now. I have things to do that don’t involve you.”

“Melia you can’t do this. What about Cici? She loves her daddy, how are you going to explain it to your daughter?”

“I’m going to educate my child and let her know never to put everything you have into a man because they will only disappoint you in the end.”

“All men aren’t dogs, Melia. Your husband made a mistake, but it’s not unforgivable. Give him a chance to fix things.”

“Get out. Maddie. I’m done talking about this.”

Maddie stood to leave, and on her way, she found a picture of Cienna and tossed it into her lap. “While you’re on this suicide mission for revenge, you should think about who you’re really hurting. You say this is all for her, then start thinking of her. At the rate you’re going, you’re going to make her just like we were; wondering why our mother didn’t love us.”

“My daughter knows I love her.”

“Does she? So you being up in the early part of the day acting like so much of a raging bitch that Rosie had to get her away from you is showing her that?”

“You don’t know anything,” Melia rushed in front of her. “I have made so many sacrifices to make sure she is taken care of, but what has he done? Not a damn thing and he gets to play the wounded victim while I make the hard choices. He said he never wanted her. How am I supposed to sleep next to a man that regrets the greatest thing we ever did together?”

Maddie grabbed her and pulled her into a rough hug. “He was being stupid. Guys say stupid things all the time that’s why we are clearly the smarter sex, but listen to me, he knows what you two mean to him. You might think you’re having it rough right now, but he’s going through hell. That man is spiraling without you and as mad as you are, you’re the only one who can save him. Think about everything you’ve shared and decide if you are ready to throw in the towel. Whatever you choose, I’m here for you, we all are.”

“Thank you,” Melia sobbed. “I was so mean to you, you must want to kill me.”

“I had my back slap ready just in case you needed it, but I knew you would come around. Now, you think about your decision.”

“I know what I have to do. My decision stands, I’m going through with the divorce, but I’m sorry to you. Matt still deserves my anger, but I was wrong to lash out at you.”

“But, Melia...”

“Maddie,” she held up her hand. “The discussion is over. Now go check on our brother and call me later. I want to know everything.”

Maddie left the room and found Nathan waiting for her with a genuine smile. He wrapped his arms around her and walked her out to the car. As they ventured off to Gio’s, he reached over and rubbed her thigh. He had heard everything, and knew she needed silence for a while. He was content with that as long as he was able to be the one next to her. He was determined to prove Melia wrong, he would always be the man Maddie needed because he wasn’t going to take one second with her for granted.

***

“Alex, I need you to get the helium tank before you come home today,” Meg called out from the bedroom.

“I got it, babe, anything else you need?”

“Nothing I can think of.”

The days following the incident with Allison had started off good, but when Meg arrived to pick her up after a week of good behavior, she was back in her quiet mood, completely ignoring Meg. When they got home, she ran to Alex and showered all her affections on him, leaving Meg and Jordan out. Alex noticed the tension and was about to give Allison a piece of his mind, when Meg stopped him. She was hoping to have a one on one with Allison, but Jordan got fussy before she could accomplish it. The better part of her night was spent tending to him, and Allison fell asleep without her.