Free Abandoning the Rules by Jp Grace Page A

bonding over beer and pool, Adam had confessed his love for her and the problems they faced. He’d guiltily confided her marital status. Out of curiosity, Tony had asked the name of the woman who had captured his buddy’s heart and had been understandably shocked to find out it was the wife of a suspect he had been trying to nail for over ten years.
    What she hadn’t mentioned to Adam or Tony was that she knew where Steven kept h is secrets. Steven didn’t know of course, she had learned a long time ago not to reveal too much. But she knew where to start looking.
    Chills raced down her spine.
    What would she find in Steven’s safe? He didn’t know she knew about it, but years of abuse had taught her a few things. Like how to install and use a hidden camera in their bedroom. It hadn’t been easy to record him as he furtively entered the numbers; the safe was shielded by a gaudy portrait Steven insisted was an antique. She’d never once assumed she would be using it for this purpose.
    The immediate issue she faced now was explaining her overnight absence. Steven didn’t usually care where she spent her time unless he suspected she was doing something to cause him to lose face with his powerful friends. Anxiousness over the new situation caused her considerable distress over how to explain her absence without appearing guilty.
    Adam had suggested she tell him she had spent a q uiet night at a hotel and spa as she had done on previous occasions. The idea had merit. It was part of her normal routine in the summer. The problem was she normally informed Steven beforehand.
    Bree worried her lower lip as she contemplated Steven’s reaction. Sometimes he could be so volatile and violent, other times he pretended to be kind and magnanimous. Which Steven would greet her today?
    There was only one way to find out. She braced herself for the evening ahead.
    After a few traffic snarls, she made it home to the white clapboard mons trosity Steven had chosen for their home and that she had always hated. It mocked her with its cold façade, but she bravely pulled into the garage and parked, noting Steven’s Mercedes in its usual spot.
    Damn. She had hoped for a few minutes alone to collect herself. But it wasn’t to be and putting it off wasn’t going to ease the pressure expanding through her chest.
    Knowing she had to put on an Emmy award winning performance, she gathered her belongings and went inside to face him.
    The house was quiet, almost unnaturally so. Steven’s keys and shoes were carelessly dropped in their usual spot, but he wasn’t in his customary place in front of the television, where he spent most of his time when home.
    Breathing a sigh of relief, she rushed up the stairs to their bedroom to put her packages away. She hoped to freshen up. Steven hated it when she didn’t look her best and with only a quick shower before leaving Adam’s and no makeup on, she knew it wouldn’t satisfy his fussy requirements. It no longer mattered if she filled his expectations, but old habits died hard. The last thing she needed was to arouse any more suspicion than necessary tonight.
    She hurried through her preparations, casting anxious glances over her shoulder the whole time. Steven had a bad habit of sneaking up on her and she had no desire to be caught off guard today of all days.
    Once finished, she locked the bedroom door and approached the safe, the combination seared into her memory. With shaking fingers, she entered the electronic code.
    With an audible click, the lock released.
    Bree sucked air into her lungs and stared at the contents. She had known the combination for some time now, but hadn’t worked up the courage to use it; she had been living in deep denial. It had sheltered her when she hadn’t been able to face the truth.
    She reached in and grabbed the stack of document s haphazardly piled atop a carved wooden box. Scanning the pile, she saw it was the usual assortment of paperwork; birth certificates,