Heartless Read Online Free Page A

hand
shook as she sipped her coffee. "I think he actually tried the
first five years of our marriage. We had Kyle and Kim. Since
then, I've lost count. They got younger and younger. However,
he swore he never actually had sex with any of them. A former
president made the other stuff acceptable for an entire
generation." She shook her head. "What neither of them
understood is that what's good for the goose is good for the
gander." Deanna finished with a huff.
Ray raised an eyebrow.
"Get a grip, Ray." Like an angry filly, she tossed her head
to the side. "Don't look so shocked. Nobody, not even the
tabloids, has a clue that I've had my own comfort. I've been
very discreet, unlike my husband. I've covered his tracks for
him for years. I wanted to be First Lady. On the other hand, I
don't want my kids to know about any of it." She gusted out a
large irritated puff of air. "Honestly, if Robert had been
faithful, I would've been. So, I suppose, the gentleman I've
been seeing started out as revenge. I knew when Robert said he needed to run to Eau Boueuse today he would be meeting up
with somebody. So, just tell me the whole ugly story. You can't
shock me."
"I wouldn't count on that, Deanna." He took a deep breath.
"It's really ugly and apparently personal. No, the young
woman, twenty-two, didn't kill him. She's dead, too. They were
parked in the bayou. It looked as if she must have been…" Ray
fumbled for the words to use.
"Going down on him, Ray? Would that describe the scene?
Perhaps you would prefer to be more professional. Would
performing fellatio be more appropriate for you?" Unable to
contain her bitterness, Deanna barked, "I don't recall you being
so shy."
Ray frowned and said, "I respect you." He sighed. "Yes,
that would sum it up. Someone shot her in the back of the head
while she was in the act. Then, he or she shot Robert in the
temple. After they were dead, someone removed their hearts. I
wanted to be the one to tell you." He rubbed his head. "I'm a
little confused. I thought you would be crying your eyes out. I
thought you loved the man."
Deanna laughed bitterly. "I did once. I guess part of me still
does. I'm just so angry that he would do this to his family. Why
couldn't I have been enough for him? I would give anything to
have what you and Larkin have. You truly love her. I don't
think Robert was capable of love."
"I'm so sorry, Deanna. I wish there was more to say."
"Thank you, Ray. You were thoughtful to come yourself."
"Is there anything I can do before I leave?"
"No, I'll handle everything from here. I'll call Robert's
parents when I go inside, and I'll tell the kids in the morning.
Then, I'll deal with the press's feeding frenzy."
"Well, I have to get back and hold a press conference
myself. Needless to say, I'm not gonna reveal the details to the
press. We'll let them speculate."
"Thank you again, Ray. Would you like a travel mug for
your trip home?"
"Do you have one?"
"Oh, yes, with our wonderful slogan on it."
"I would greatly appreciate it. I'll be in touch."
Ray left with fresh coffee to keep him awake on the
hundred-fifty-mile drive back home. Glancing in his rear view
mirror as the rain gathered intensity, he saw that Deanna
LeCoeur LaFontaine was, indeed, crying her eyes out in the
wicker chair, and her body shook with sobs. His heart broke for
her because he understood that she would mourn alone.
He looked at the lettering of the mug as it reflected in the
dash lights: In uncommon times—a common man for common
people. Ray took a deep breath. Oh, Rob, you were far from
common in both good and bad ways.
♥♥♥
    Ray tried to enter the house quietly. Larkin was curled up
on the couch while Raif was kicked back in Ray's recliner. As
the door creaked ever so slightly, Larkin sat up. She went
straight to her husband and slipped into his arms.
    Ray whispered, "Why, Larkin? Why does it hurt this much
to lose him?"
"It's all right to mourn him, Ray. He was once your best
friend. Now,