Chapter 35: Chapter 35

"I'm sorry but did you just say, wife?" Alexis asked taking a step back. Wife?

"Alexis....."

"You have a wife Ray?"

"Had a wife"

"A fucking wife that you didn't tell me about even after you proposed to me?" she snapped angrily drawing attention to their table. Ray sighed. He should have known this was bound to happen sooner or later. By not telling her, he'd brought this on himself. And Odessa wasn't helping either. It was so like her to drop a bomb like that then stand back and watch as he tried to pick up the blown up pieces. "Oh my God. It's Connor all over again" Alexis murmured making him freeze.

"What?"

"You... God, I can't believe I rushed here from the hospital just to come here and deal with this."

"Hey calm down. You're misunderstanding what Odessa said. She's not really...."

"Your wife? What, are you going to tell me that she's your sister? Cousin? Or your fiancé just like me? When were you going to tell me you had a wife Ray?" by the end of her tirade the whole room had gone quiet. Listening to them.

"Alexis, would you let me explain?"

"Explain what? That you lied to me? That you proposed to me knowing you had a fucking wife? You're just like Connor you know. Lying, cheating son of a bitch!"

"Alexis!" he growled taking a threatening step towards her. Any other time he would have been proud of how she took her stand, not scared of him at all. But at that moment, he was too angry to care. How dare she compare him to that bastard?

"Oh yeah, go ahead and hit me. That way I'll be one hundred percent sure that you two are definitely alike. Go ahead, Ray"

He blinked. Did she really think he was going to hit her? Dear God who was this and what had she done with his Princess? "Alexis come on, you don't believe that I would ever lay my hand on you like that"

"I don't know what to believe anymore. You... " she swayed a little and he shot his hands out to steady her. "Don't touch me" she slapped his them away stumbling back. "I don't even know why I came here. I should have listened to dad and stayed at the hospital." turning to Odessa she gave her a once over then said "Nice to meet you Odessa" and then she was gone. Ray tried to go after her but Odessa held him back.

"Let me go Odessa. See what you did?"

"Exactly. This is my doing so let me go fix it. Besides, you can't follow her outside" as if she needed to remind him that he was locked up.

"She hasn't fully recovered. I don't know why the doctors released her"

"Stop worrying. I'll follow her outside and explain everything. Relax"

"Okay, go. And make sure she's fine. In fact, take her home for me, please"

"Anything for you handsome"

"Thanks" he sat on the table watching her leave wondering what just happened.

You and Alexis had your first fight.

In prison? How twisted was that? And why had he fought with her instead of taking her in his arms and kissing her? His father had told him of her progress and how she didn't want to stay at the hospital. What he hadn't expected was for her to show up there so soon. Either way, he shouldn't have gotten mad at her. She misunderstood what Odessa said and without even giving him a chance to explain, she flew off the handle. His only hope was that Odessa would explain everything to her and straighten up the misunderstanding.

They'd met a long time ago and had been friends since then. She was fun, funky and the most understanding wife he'd ever had. They'd been open with each other. And she had known from the start that he was in love with Alexis. Even after they'd woken up in a hotel room in Vegas, married to her, Odessa hadn't demanded anything from him. They had agreed to file for divorce but some problems had come up with her family. It's a wonder he even remembered her existence seeing as he hadn't seen her in a long time. And about telling Alexis that he was married, well, he forgot. Honest to God. He wasn't trying to be sneaky or anything like that. It was an honest mistake.

"Girl problems?" Jack, one of the guards, asked leading him back to his cell.

"Don't even get me started"

"A bit of advice. Don't let your wife and your girlfriend come to see you on the same day"

"Ha ha. Very funny. Besides, I only have a girlfriend. Already divorced the wife"

"Tell that to your girlfriend"

He would have if she'd let him. Ray didn't like knowing that she was going around all by herself. That concussion she had wasn't something to be taken lightly. Why the hell had her father let her out of his sight? Even if Connor was dead, it didn't mean she was safe. What if someone else out there was planning on harming her? When the police had first explained why that bastard had kidnapped her, he hadn't believed it. Not the part where Alexis framed him. Oh no. That he totally believed. It was one of those stupid decisions she made when she was angry. What he hadn't believed was the drug part. Where did she find all those drugs? And that Byron guy she hired, where did he come from? Heavens, he had so many questions only she could answer and what did he do the first time he saw her? Yell at her.

For the first time, he wished he was the one who had killed that bastard. Then him being locked up would be justified. But it is what it is and all he could do was hope that Odessa would explain everything to Alexis. She didn't belong in that place. It was full of criminals he would do anything to keep her away from but he was a selfish man and he wanted to see her again. Even if it meant exposing her to the monsters around him. She deserved a better welcome. Much better than the one she got today.

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"Alexis wait" Odessa called from somewhere behind her. She didn't stop. There was no way she was going to give that woman the satisfaction of seeing her cry. Damn him. Damn them both. For a second there she had believed that he was different. That there was no way he would cheat on her as Connor did. "Would you listen to me" Odessa grabbed her hand, pulling her to a stop.

"What?"

"I just wanted to make sure that you're okay. Ray is worried about you and I am too" Alexis narrowed her eyes. She wasn't buying this fake concern. Back in the prison, she'd seen her smirk when she was going off on Ray. Like she knew Alexis was unaware of Ray's matrimony and had said it just to stir things between them up.

"I'm fine"

"I mean you were in an accident. You should still be at the hospital recovering. Why did they let you out so soon?"

"What do you want?"

To any other person, Odessa looked taken aback by her snappy tone. But Alexis could see straight through her. "Sorry. That is not how I envisioned meeting you. All Ray does is talk about you day in day out. You're really pretty, I'll give you that"

"Is that all? I have an appointment I can't afford to miss"

"No. I just wanted to say that we're not married anymore. He signed the divorce papers earlier this week"

Why didn't she start with that? "Good to know"

"I don't see it you know," she said as an afterthought and Alexis braced herself.

"See what?"

All of a sudden her demeanor changed. She stood up straight to her full height, looking at her from head to toe "What's so special about you" and there it was. The mask coming off. "I mean I get his fascination with the curves and big boobs but he can get that anywhere. There are so many blondes out there with bigger assets than yours. So what does he see in you? Not your bank account for sure because he has his own money. What is it?"

"Listen...."

"Oh no, no, no" Odessa cut her off. "I'm not going to fight over a man. At least not here in the streets as those common people do. I believe we're way too classy for that. At least I am. Anyway, I'm just letting you know that Ray married me once. Yes, he was in love with you, but he still married me. And he will do it again but this time I'll make sure there won't be a divorce after. If I were you I'd save myself the humiliation as early as now"

Alexis scoffed. The nerve of this woman "Odessa, if you knew me you'd know that I don't have to lower myself to your level. And by your level, I mean desperate. If you want Ray then, by all means, take him. He's all yours. That is if you can stand knowing that every time he'll be on top of you, it's my name he'll be whispering and not yours."

"Bitch please...."

"Oh you can call me bitch all you want sweetheart but that man in there will always choose me. Always Odessa. So have at it. Give it your best shot and let's see who he picks in the end. I won't even lift a finger to do anything."

"Don't be so sure of yourself"

"It's not me I'm so sure of Odessa. It's the love he feels for me. That is the one thing I can always count on. If you want to tear us apart, go ahead and try. There's no guarantee you'll even put a dent in our relationship but a girl's gotta try. Right? Have a good afternoon" she walked away not sure if she was trying to convince Odessa or herself. It was one thing to give that woman the go-ahead to destroy their relationship. It was another to know there was a chance she might succeed.

Before the accident, Alexis would have fought with Odessa. Pulling her hair if necessary because Ray was hers. But now she just wanted to go home and bury herself under her covers. She was tired and not just physically. When she left the hospital she had been so excited to see Ray that she hadn't realized how weak she still was. Her legs shook with each step she took but she refused to show Odessa her weakness. Since the cab she'd called wasn't there yet, she decided to walk. A little exercise wouldn't hurt her considering she'd spent a week in bed. Maybe that's why her legs were shaking and not because she wanted to drop to the ground and cry her eyes out.

This relationship she had with Ray wasn't like the one she'd had with Connor. This was so much different in so many levels. She'd given him everything. He had the power to really hurt her, the kind of hurt people never moved on from. She didn't want to be one of those bitter people who ruined everyone's life because they couldn't stand to see them happy. Because if Ray chose Odessa, that is exactly what she would end up doing. One Connor was enough to last her a lifetime. It was satisfying to ruin his life. He deserved it. In fact, he deserved everything he got. But Ray? No. Don't think like that Alexis. He loves you. Ray loves you and if he didn't tell you about Odessa then it's because he had a good reason.

An hour later she sat opposite the PI she'd hired and listened as rattled off reasons why Ray's case was complicated. Apparently, the police had the murder weapon and it had his fingerprints. Now all they had to do was put him on the scene of the crime and they'd lock him up forever. Just the thought of it scared the living lights out of her. He didn't belong in prison. It was her fault this was happening and instead of listening to him, she'd accused him of being like Connor. Bitchy much? Okay maybe she had overreacted but she hadn't expected to meet his wife. Ex-wife but still. It was a shock to know he'd been married, whatever his reasons were. Odessa had confirmed that Ray had loved her even when he was still with her. So why had he married her?

"Actually I want you to drop Ray's case. I have another candidate" she blurted out.

The PI looked perplexed "Don't you want to get your boyfriend released?"

"I do. But I'm sure his father has already hired someone to look into it. Don't ask why I hadn't thought of it before calling you. I'm still on my meds."

"Okay. Who is this other person you want me to investigate?"

"Her name is Odessa. She was married to my boyfriend so I'm sure you can start from there."

"And what should I look for?"

"Find me anything shady. A person like her has to have things she doesn't want people to know. In short, I want dirt on her"

"Okay. I'll....."

"Alexis?"

"Duke?"

"Yeah. How are you? I just came in to get coffee and when I saw you I thought I should say hi."

"I'll get going Miss." the PI said excusing himself. Copeland sat in the seat he'd just vacated.

"So? How are you? I heard about what happened?"

"I'm fine. I was just released from the hospital"

"Good. How is he?"

"Ray is fine. I just saw him."

"I'm glad. I was really worried about him. Although things have been hectic at the office with some of the clients threatening to leave and all that"

"I'm so sorry about that."

"No, it's okay. Really"

"I'll get going then, before my parents send out a search team" she got up but fell back on the chair when she got dizzy.

"Whoa, are you okay?" Copeland asked getting up.

"Yeah. I'm fine. Just dizzy"

"Um... I.... Can I take you home? You're clearly not well and I don't think it's gentlemanly of me to leave you here"

"You don't have to. Really, I'll call a cab"

"No Alexis. I'd like to take you home, please"

"Okay. If you insist" she relented because it was better to be in a car with someone she knew in case she felt sick again.

"That's my little bird" he beamed helping her up.

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Well, look who's back.