The CEO's Entanglement

7 Who's Childish Now

Elise POV

I swear to God if Emmy wasn't in the room with me, I would scream right now. She is in his car. I guess during our conversation from the other night about my feeling uncomfortable I should have also included not having the b**ch in his car. I try to take some deep breaths to calm the rage brewing inside me. My phone rings in my hand and I expect to see Morris's name, but instead it's Briar.

"Hey Briar" I say, trying to keep my tone even. "Hey, how's my favorite sister-in-law" she asks, and I laugh. "I'm your only sister-in-law." "Very true, but even if I had more you would still be my favorite. I was wondering if you are busy tonight. Lola and I could really use some adult time that includes alcoholic beverages. Derek and Bruce have been nominated to watch the kids if Morris is working late and can't keep Emmy," she says. The anger from minutes ago is back with a vengeance.

"You know what I would very much like to join you and Lola. I'll bring Emmy because, as usual, Morris is working late. What should I wear?" "Something that makes you feel like a goddess. We are going to that dance club, the Oasis." "Briar" I start to say" not really one for clubs. "Listen before you say no, hear me out. I'm not into the club scene either, but this one is different. It has private booths so we won't get groped by creepy guys and Derek paid for us to have bottle service."

"Fine, I'll grab my sexiest dress and Emmy's overnight stuff. I should be at your house in forty minutes." "Great, I'll see you in a bit." I hang up with Briar and make my way to my room. It only takes me ten minutes to shower and slip into a slinky black dress. It's s*xy but not sl*tty. Despite the changes in my body from having a baby, I look damn good. I do my natural makeup and put my hair in a high ponytail. As I stand in front of the mirror, I think about the last time Morris took me out.

We always had a standing Friday night date, but for the last two months it's been nonexistent. I decide to push thoughts of my id*ot husband from my mind and enjoy girl time with Lola and Briar. I head to Emmy's room. I bend down so I can talk to my beautiful daughter eye to eye.

"Hey sweetie, are you ready to go see Uncle Derek and Kinsley?" She squeals, jumping up and grabbing her favorite doll. We move through the living room and my phone rings. When I see my husband's name that flashes on the screen, I push the f**k you button. He didn't call me right back when I hung up after he told me he was in the car with another woman. I won't be answering him now.

Let him wonder where I am and what the hell I'm doing. I know I sound childish, but I'm too hurt to care right now. I believe in my heart that Morris wouldn't cheat on me, but he's making choices that make me uncomfortable, and he doesn't seem to care. I make my way down to the car and once Emmy is buckled into her car seat, my phone rings again. I look at the screen and push the button again. A few seconds later, my phone dings with a text message.

I take a deep breath before I look at the message. "Elise, you're being childish. Answer the phone so I can explain." I debate whether to respond, but my anger wins out. "No need to respond. I see how much you care about my feelings. I won't be there when you get home, and I'm turning off my phone. Now you can call me childish, pr*ck."

With the message sent, I power off my phone. Briar will have hers should the guys need me for Emmy. When I reach Briar's house, I grab Emmy from her seat. I knock twice before a smiling Derek answers the door. "It's a good thing you ladies will have security with you, otherwise I would worry about the number of men who would be hitting on the lot of you." I laugh and follow him inside.

Emmy practically launches herself at him. "Hey princess, you ready to have fun with Uncle Derek and Kinsley? She is up in her room waiting for you" he says. She wiggles free of his hold and starts to take off toward the stairs. "Hey, where is my kiss?" She turns rushing back to me for a quick kiss. When she's gone, I thank Derek for keeping her. "You and Morris have plans after the club tonight," Derek asks, and I stiffen.

He must notice because the man misses nothing. "No, Morris is working late." It's not exactly a lie. Something in his eyes makes a wave of unease roll through me. "What's up Derek? Why are you asking about Morris?" "My hotel called me about an hour ago to verify comping a room for three days under Morris's name. I assumed it was for the two of you," he says. I try to keep the hurt and anger from my face. I'm not ready to tell anyone what's happening between me and Morris.

"Derek, I'm going to use the bathroom before we head out." I can see he wants to ask me what the hell is going on, but I'm grateful when he doesn't. As soon as I'm in the bathroom with the door locked, I pull my phone from my clutch. I power it on and message after message from my husband lights up the screen. I also have thirty missed calls. I take a steadying breath before I dial my philandering husband's number.

He picks up on the first ring. "Elise, thank God you answered." "Did you take that woman to Derek's hotel?" "Yes, but" he starts to say, but I don't need to hear another word. No matter what the reason he took a woman who I was uncomfortable about to a f**king hotel after he had her in his car, I don't want to hear it. The phone rings again and I power it off. I fight back the urge to cry. Once I have myself together, I head out of the bathroom.

"Oh my God, Elise, you look gorgeous" Lola says and I smile. "You two look stunning." Briar hugs me, telling me how beautiful I look. "Are you ready? The boys are waiting outside for us," Briar says, and I smile. The boys are her other brothers, Dante and Dennis. She loops her arm through mine, and we make our way toward the door. Derek's phone rings when we reach it and I have a sinking feeling it's my husband.

Morris POV

As soon as we reach the hotel and I have her checked in under my name for three days, I tell Loreli to have a good evening. "I wish there was something more I could do to thank you for being so kind to me, Mr. McNair" she says. "I just want you to be safe Loreli. Now, I really need to get going." When I get to my car, I immediately try calling Elise again. The call repeatedly goes straight to voicemail.

I can feel my own anger grow each time she denies the call. I can't believe she doesn't trust me. As soon as I send her the message about being childish, I try to unsend it. Panic starts to rise in my body when all of my calls and texts trying to apologize go unanswered. She wouldn't leave me. She is my wife. We love each other. When I reach the condo, I already know she isn't home when I see her parking spot is empty. I try to call her again, pleading with her to call me back.

I start to call her mother when my phone rings and Elise's name flashes on the screen. As soon as she asks me about taking Loreli to Derek's hotel, my heart sinks. "Yes, but" I start to say, and the line goes dead. I'm ready to throw my phone until I realize the only way she knows about the hotel is if Derek told her about it. Why the f**k would he call my wife and tell her about the hotel room before I could explain things to her?"

I dial Derek ready to lose my sh*t. "Hey Morris, what's up?" "Why the f**k did you call Elise and tell her I got a hotel room for my employee?" "Woah, you need to watch your tone with me. First, I didn't call Elise and tell her anything. She was here. Second, I thought you got the hotel for you and your wife. You know the woman you are married to. Third, why the f**k would you be getting a hotel room for a woman you work with is a better question" he says.

"F**k" I scream. "What the f**k is going on, Morris? I swear to God if you tell me you cheated on Elise, I'll order your brothers to beat the sh*t out of you before I let my wife have her turn" he says. "Derek, I would never cheat on Elise. It's all a misunderstanding. The woman was in trouble and I just offered her a place to stay while her crazy ex cooled off, nothing more." "I believe you, Morris, but you need to remember just because your intentions may be innocent doesn't mean this woman you are helping feels the same way."

"Derek where's Elise? I can't lose her over something that is nothing more than me helping out another human being who was in danger. Please, I need to see my wife. I need to talk to her. I love her Derek." "Fine, but if I get in sh*t with my wife for telling you where they went you won't have to worry about your brother's beating your a**. They went to Club Oasis" he says.

"The f**king dance club" I say. Thinking about my pissed off wife at a dance club full of h*rny good-looking men has me on the verge of a breakdown. I cut the call and break every speeding law to get to the club as quickly as possible. The only thought in my mind is finding my wife.