Free NaughtyBoys Galley by Lizzie Lynn Lee Page A

have imagined.”
    “I know, I know.” He held up his hand. “What I did to you was unforgivable. I’m a changed man, baby. I promise. How about I buy you a new Benz?”
    “Sam,” I said coldly, “it’s obvious you don’t know the word ‘unforgiveable.’ There’s no way I can come back to you.”
    Irritation painted his face. “Is it because of how the partners’ wives have treated you? I know about it. I’ll have a talk to them and everything will be all right.”
    “No. It won’t be all right. It’s over between us. Go back to New York with your fancy rock and fancy car and leave me alone. From now on, use my lawyer as a point of contact if you have anything to discuss with me.”
    Sam didn’t seem to be taking me seriously. “Okay, I got it. What do you want, babe? I’ll give you anything you want. Anything. Just say it, and I’ll grant it. Just like that.”
    “Fine. Sign that divorce paper.”
    He laughed derisively. “Simone, are you turning down this nine-hundred-thousand-dollar ring?”
    “Yes. I don’t want your stupid ring. I want a divorce from you.”
    It took him a few seconds to digest the finality of my words. “Let me get this straight. You’d rather be penniless living in this dump than go back to New York with me. Simone, you aren’t making sense. You can’t survive alone. I’ve always taken care of you.”
    “You forgot that I put you through law school working odd jobs. I can take care of myself, thank you very much.”
    “This is crazy talk. You don’t mean it.”
    “I’ve had enough. My lawyer will contact your lawyer.” I stood, reaching for the car keys.
    Sam snatched my hand and stared at me evenly. “You’ve changed. What’s happened to you?”
    “It’s called growing up, Sam. Plus, I don’t buy in to your bullshit anymore. We’ve been through this scenario so many times. You’ve never changed, and you never will.”
    “No. This is something else.” Sam searched my face. “Did you sleep with another guy?”
    “That is none of your business. Goodnight.” I yanked my hand away.
    “I’m right. You’ve got yourself a new boyfriend. Who is he? Whoever he is, he can’t provide for you like me.”
    I didn’t want to have this conversation any longer. In the old days, I’d have taken his bait already. But the time I’d spent alone after that eventful day had taught me that arguing with Samuel Marsh was as useless as trying to carry water in a sieve. So, I made an attempt to leave.
    Unexpectedly, Sam grabbed the collar of my dress and shook me. “I’m not finished talking to you.”
    “Let me go, Sam.” I tried to break free of his grip.
    “You’re nothing without me, Simone. You won’t survive. You’re too stupid to fend for yourself. You’ll die.”
    “Let me go!”
    All of a sudden, Sam’s hand jerked away from me. Luke had come out of nowhere. Everyone in the diner gawked at us.
    Sam didn’t seem to recognize Luke. He only saw a man in uniform and dismissed him lightly. Since becoming a lawyer, Sam held little regard for people in uniforms. “Piss off. I’m talking to my wife.”
    Luke bristled but he kept his composure. “Simone is your ex-wife. She’s my fiancée now.”
    I was shocked to hear that from Luke. Fiancée?
    A forced laughter came from Sam. “You wish. Not in your wildest dreams.”
    I don’t know what possessed Sam to take a swing at Luke, especially when Luke was still in his sheriff’s uniform. Luke dodged effortlessly and returned the favor in full force. Luke’s powerful punch landed on Sam’s beer-belly gut. My ex doubled over and sunk like the Titanic.
    Wasting no time, Luke arrested Sam and Mirandized him . “Samuel Marsh, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say and do can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand the rights I have just read to you?”
    Sam was cursing a