"I’m still trying to figure that out," Elliot replied.
"You’re my brother," I reasoned.
"Which makes it difficult. It doesn’t come with the perks of figuring out what’s going on inside that head of yours."
I let out a laugh. "Too bad. I thought you could."
"The more reason to tell me what’s on your mind..." he said, leaning against the polished walnut table.
"An interesting request..." I said, amused.
"I know for a fact something’s bothering you. You’ve been distracted lately. Sitting through these meetings for the last week, a meeting you called for. Yet, you are not following up as you should, which means... This meeting was a distraction from something."
"Sometimes I despise how observant you can be," I said.
"Long before the twins and Caleb, it’s been you and me... I know a fair share of the things you want me to know at least."
Solid point as always. He grew up into a fine man. Father would be proud. Elliot got that gentlemanliness from him. I swore sometimes when I looked at him I could see Father.
"Anastasia went to see Dr. Keller," I broke the news. "A week ago."
"Interesting. Seems like something you weren’t looking forward to."
"I was..." I clarified. "It was always gonna get to that point."
"But you didn’t want it to be so." He narrowed his eyes. "You never wanted her to remember."
"Yes," I replied. "I have made my peace with the past, but Anastasia hasn’t. And she won’t; it’s gonna be hard on her. It’ll tear her apart, and I’ll be damned if I let that happen."
Elliot sighed heavily. "Too late for that, brother. You can’t protect her from the truth forever."
"I have to."
He nodded. "Just as you chose to be the villain for her. You knew how the undercity works, so you took advantage and used it."
"Everyone had their roles, and the undercity did too. The undercity has always been careless with rumors; what’s the harm of giving them something to chew over?"
I made sure that the vile rumors about Annabeth flew to protect Anastasia. If my enemies had known about my relationship with her back then, things could’ve gotten ugly.
She didn’t bear my name yet. Without it, I couldn’t protect her the way I wanted to. There were people who would cut through anyone standing at my side just to get to me. It was too risky.
Anastasia was in a vulnerable position too, so I had to clear every obstacle before I could be with her again.
"What do you think Dr. Keller is gonna tell her at this point?" Elliot asked.
"How she lost her memory. He’s gonna start there first."
"Do you think he’d tell her what caused the accident?"
My grip tightened on my phone subconsciously. "That’s outside his field, isn’t it? He’s a doctor. He’s gonna tell her she was in a car accident and show her the medical records to confirm it. Nothing more."
"He’s the family doctor. Which means outside the medical side of this, he also cares for Ana," Elliot reasoned.
"He won’t tell her. Not yet," I answered with certainty. "She’s been having headaches each time she pushes herself to remember. They could get worse. It’s too risky."
"You’re right," Elliot agreed. "But you have to prepare for the fact that at some point the headaches will no longer stand in the way... and nature will run its course. She’s gonna remember, brother. Everything."
I pinned him with my stern gaze. As much as I wanted to argue with that, I couldn’t because I knew that was how it was gonna end up.
Elliot checked his Rolex. "One more thing. Let’s not forget the last assignment you gave Lisa, concerning the Devil of Midnight."
"Ares King. I haven’t quite paid attention to that area. What was the progress again?"
"None."
I chuckled. "That man is a pain in my ass. I’m running out of methods. I’ve never dealt with a man who can be so vexing."
"It’s good that we’re on vexing points, if what I have heard about the devil is true, then be lucky he hasn’t sent a missile your way. That man’s territorial just like you. That kind of collision will be cumbersome."
"What are you suggesting, little brother?"
"Well, news is his wife, Catherine King, will be in the city."
Ding!
I lowered my gaze. My little kitten texted me. I didn’t think something like this would happen. Given the radio silence and how much she had avoided me.
"Is that so?" I replied distractedly.
"As you’re aware, in the last week your wife’s career has leaped. Her on-stage performance has earned that."
"I’m very much aware," I said proudly.
"Hence the upcoming Gala to commemorate that performance."
"What does this have to do with the devil’s wife?" I fixed my attention back on him.
"It would be excellent to befriend Catherine King. She’s attending the Gala with her daughter."
"You make it sound easy," I said.
"Let’s hope it will be. No harm done, just exchange, champagne and friendly meeting."
"That could work. Now get lost."
"What?" he asked, a bit taken aback by my words.
"I’m talking with my wife. Shoo."
"Of course," he mumbled, leaving. "Consider the plan."
I dragged my back to the screen.
Kitten: Where are you?
Me: I haven’t heard from my wife for a week, and that’s all I get? That’s not fair, little kitten.
I could tell she was rolling her eyes, and that just added to the piling count of spanks. I need more numbers.
Me: To what do I owe the pleasure, kitten?
I saw the three dots come up, and I rubbed my jawline, waiting patiently. She seemed to be typing and untyping, and it took about two minutes before she finally sent her text.
Kitten: I’ve been thinking... a lot.
Silly girl. That was the last thing I wanted her to do.
Kitten: How did we meet two years ago?