Aligned: Volume 3 (11 page)

I watch as Caroline quickly signs all the necessary documents before they are passed back to me to sign. I glance over the legal terms written all over the documents. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to me, but I trust Allen and the basics of our contract:

I will ...

1. Pay for the treatments for Caroline’s brother and living expenses for the rest of his life, which isn’t hard since I already was.
 

2. Give Caroline twenty-five percent of my monthly income for the rest of her life.

3. Buy Caroline one house of her choosing that is equal or less than five million dollars.
 

4. Agree to remain faithful to her alone throughout our marriage.
 

5. Agree to marry her and pay for all wedding expenses up to one million in total costs.
 

Caroline will ...

1. Agree to turn over all video footage of the incident and forfeit any rights to pursue me in a court of law over the incident.
 

2. Agree never to speak of the incident publicly or in private.

3. Agree to never speak of Alexa or cause Alexa any emotional or physical harm.
 

4. Agree to remain faithful to me alone throughout our marriage.

5. Agree that I can end the marriage if any of the terms are not met, but that the terms of the contract do not end if we divorce.

We both have to agree never to speak of the terms of this contract or even to mention that such a contract exists. If Caroline breaks any part of this agreement, she will be required to pay back all of the money I have given her and her brother will be cut off. It’s my insurance that she will never break this contract. She would never be able to abandon her brother like that. And she made a promise a long time ago never to live poor and hungry again.
 

If I break the agreement, I will have to pay her fifty percent of my income for the rest of her life, plus she is freed from fulfilling her end of the contract. I will never allow that to happen.
 

It may seem like Caroline gets the better end of this arrangement, but it’s pretty equal. We both get freedom. I get freedom from my secrets and from any harm to Alexa. Caroline gets money to buy her freedom from the harsh life that has always followed her.
 

Caroline and I have had an arrangement before, but it was never legal. I promised to pay for her brother’s expenses as well as give her money when she needed it and in exchange she kept my secret. I also had to promise not to get serious with anyone, which wasn’t difficult. I never wanted to go on more then one date with anyone before. Not before Alex. Now though, now I need something legal to keep my secret safe.
 

I watch as Allen slides the papers over the smooth wooden table. I watch until they land in front of me. Allen hands me a pen that I take and sign the papers in one fluid motion. I repeat the movement several times next to Caroline’s name until I’ve filled all the blank lines in, and Caroline’s mouth is bound forever by the signatures. The signatures will hide my secret. The signatures will keep Alexa safe from me.
 

“Everything will be filed and taken care of immediately. I would like to remind you both that this agreement is effective immediately, not the date you choose to marry,” Allen says.
 

Caroline’s and my eyes lock as we both nod. They stay locked as everyone else gets up.
 

“I’ll see you outside,” Drew says. He’s the last person to leave after the lawyers. Caroline and I are sitting across from each other at the long table.
 

“Did you get everything you want?” I ask.
 

“You speak,” Caroline says cocking her head. “I thought something had happened to your voice. I was worried you are no longer worth the millions you are reported to be worth.”
 

“Don’t worry, my voice is just fine.”
 

“Good. Now, about that ring. You remember what I like?”

“Yes. I remember,” I say, thinking back to before.
 

“Hello, may I help you?” the clerk asks.

“Yes, I’m looking for an engagement ring.”

The old man smiles knowingly at me. “You’ve come to the right place. Anything you had in mind?”
 

“Yes, I’m looking for a ring that has a long skinny diamond that sort of forms a point at each end.”
 

The man smiles a little brighter before going to one of the cabinets and pulling out the ring I described.

“A marquise shaped ring,” the clerk says handing me the ring. I look at it. It’s a perfect size and shape and looks almost identical to her mother’s engagement ring. The one she had to sell to be able to afford to live and go to college.
 

“I’ll take this one.”
 

“That ring is quite expensive, young man. Maybe you would prefer a little smaller size.”
 

“No, this one is perfect. She deserves it. Whatever the cost.”
 

I still have the ring. Drew insisted I keep it just in case. And honestly, I couldn’t part with it. Even after she cheated on me, I still loved her. I still cared about her, and I wanted her to have the ring. I know it’s what she wants. It’s all she has ever wanted.
 

“I’ll make sure the proposal is to your liking and that there are ample paparazzi there.”
 

“Good. I’ll see you around, future hubby,” she says winking before leaving me in the meeting room alone.
 

The word stings, but it was worth it. I reach into my jacket pocket and pull out a small box. A box that holds Alex’s ring. Another ring I will never be able to part with despite it never gracing Alex’s finger. A ring I kept despite telling Drew otherwise. Today, everything went exactly how I needed it to. There is no turning back now.

My eyes widen slightly at her response, but I turn to the bartender. “Two of your finest whiskey on the rocks.”
 

I turn back to her as James and his buddies burst into another loud fit of laughter behind us. “Sorry about my friend’s Bachelor party,” I say as if that explains their rude behavior.
 

Her eyes smile brightly as she looks at the rowdy crowd of boys behind us. “I don’t mind.”
 

Today is the day I get my wife back. I make her fall in love with me again. Or, at the very least, convince her that she wants to fall in love again with me. Tonight, I’m going full on romantic. Pulling out everything I’ve got to get back into her heart. Or, at the very least, get her back in my bed.
 

I pace back and forth at the foot of the stairs as I wait for her to finish getting ready so we can go. I bought her a new dress with sparkly high-heeled shoes to wear tonight. When she opened the box containing them, she was a little in shock at the expensive items. She was worried about walking in the heels with her prosthetic leg, but I told her we wouldn’t be walking much on our date tonight. And I really want to see her in heels looking more like herself again.
 

I hired a team of makeup artists and hair stylists tonight to do her hair and makeup so she wouldn’t have to worry about a thing. I want her to feel pampered tonight. To feel special. Just like it was almost a year earlier when I proposed on the Fourth of July. Most wouldn’t think that was the most romantic night to get engaged on, but I knew she would like it. She loves the sparkle and explosion of the fireworks. It’s the same reason we got married on New Year’s Eve almost six months later. The fireworks always got to her.
 

I hear rustling coming from upstairs making me pause my pacing.
 

“Alexa?” I shout up the stairs.
 

“I’m coming,” she shouts back.
 

I stand at the bottom, waiting to see my princess descend the stairs. When I see her, my jaw drops in awe of her. Her sparkly green floor-length dress hugs every curve while still keeping her leg hidden. Just revealing the sparkles of her silver shoes beneath the dress. Her hair flows in long red curls down her back. I smile loving the hair extensions the stylist chose. Very similar to what she wore that night a year ago. The only thing that isn’t quite right is her tattoos. They are very visible in this dress. That night she had hidden them beneath makeup. I’ll have to work on her keeping them more hidden in the future.
 

Alexa doesn’t look at me as she takes another step with her right leg. This time, the heel catches on a snag in the carpet, and she tumbles down the last five stairs. I do my best to catch her, but there is nothing I can do. We end up in a pile on the floor.
 

I laugh. “You always were a bit of a klutz. That hasn’t changed.”
 

She laughs too, although hers is a nervous laugh. “I think my leg may have made it worse.”
 

I shake my head. “No, you would have still fallen. I should have been more prepared, but I’m a little out of practice.”
 

“We may need to install a slide so I don’t have to bother with stairs at all.”
 

“When we buy a house one day, we will,” I say in a serious tone. When we buy a house, start a family, and I find my redemption, I’ll buy her whatever she fucking wants. I don’t tell her all of that yet. It’s too soon to scare her with talk of the future, but that’s what I want. To have kids, that will absolve me of all the wrong I have put out into the world.
 

I help her stand up and hold onto her until she has gotten her balance back.
 

“James has a limo waiting outside. He will be driving and protecting us tonight. Do you think you can make it outside safely?”
 

“Of course. You just may have to hold me up,” she says, attempting to flirt with me. It feels good to see her try.
 

I hold my elbow out to her, which she takes and we exit our apartment.
 

“Where are we going?” she asks.
 

“It’s a surprise.”
 

“Have we been there before?”
 

“Yes.”
 

“Is it my favorite place?”
 

“It’s definitely in your top five.”
 

She smiles. “Good. I want to go somewhere I already love.”

***

“This is where we are eating?” she asks in astonishment staring at the tall building with a great view of the Empire State Building.
 

“Yes, it’s the best steakhouse in town. And you won’t believe the view from the restaurant on the top floor.”
 

James pulls up in front of the restaurant but remains in his seat.
 

“James,” I hiss, hoping he will get the hint.
 

James looks back at us. “Oh, sorry,” he says when I raise my eyebrows at him. He immediately climbs out of his seat and opens the door for Alexa.
 

“Sorry,” he says again as he helps Alexa out of the car. “I’m used to doing security, not being a chauffeur too.”
 

Alexa laughs. “I’d prefer to not have either, but ...” I watch as she whispers something into James’ ear that makes him laugh. I feel heat surging through my body as I watch how easily James has been able to pick up a relationship with Alexa again when it’s so hard for me. They spent half a day together earlier while I was at therapy, and she seemed happier that evening. Happier than I’ve seen her since I returned. I want James and Alexa to have a good relationship again, just not before we have rekindled ours.
 

I climb out of the car and glare at James, who has his hand on the small of her back.
 

“I’ll take it from here,” I say, placing my hand on the small of her back and guiding her inside.
 

We walk into the lobby and up the elevator to the top floor where the restaurant sits.
 

“Reservations are under Wolfe,” I say to the hostess.
 

She smiles and shows us to the best table in the restaurant. The table sits against large windows that overlook the Empire State Building.
 

We both sit at the table opposite from each other. Alexa’s jaw drops as she looks out over the skyline. Several minutes pass as I watch her stare out the large windows. Finally, she moves her attention to the rest of the restaurant; tables covered by elegant white tablecloths with only the best roses in the center of each.
 

“This place is amazing,” she says.
 

I smile. “It is one of our favorite restaurants.”
 

She returns my smile before fidgeting with her napkin in her lap, returning her attention to the skyline out the window. The sun has just begun to set. Tonight is perfect, just like it was almost a year ago.
 

“Hello, I’m Silvia,” a young waitress interrupts us. “I’ll be your waitress for the evening. Mr. Wolfe has already arranged the meals and drinks for this evening. I’ll bring your cocktails momentarily. Is there anything else I can get for you, Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe?”
 

I turn to face Alexa to see if there is anything else she needs, but her mouth is gaping open as she stares at our waitress. I assume because she called her Mrs. Wolfe, although technically her name is still Blakely. We will have to change that soon.
 

“Alexa,” I say, trying to break her out of her daydream.
 

“Sorry.” Her eyes slowly become alive again breaking the spell of her daydream. “I’m sure whatever Mr. Wolfe has ordered will be fine,” she says. She takes a sip of her water before looking at me.
 

“So um ... at some point we will have to go back to LA to get my clothes and car and things.” She pauses to clear her throat as she shifts her body uneasily in her seat. “I mean if we are planning to stay in New York,” she says barely making eye contact with me.