The Hand That Holds Mine Read Free Page B

I stare at him in amazement, “What? What did you say your name is?’ I ask him.
    He smiles back at me with a knowing expression, “Yes, Adeline, it’s me.” I sit back and wonder if this all some kind of joke. “I am a longtime friend of Adeline’s and I am here to see to her interests.” Aaron says picking up the paperwork in front of me. “This paperwork is to have Adeline sign over to you all of the rights to her books, why is this necessary?”
    “Mitch! I thought you said it was about the house?”
    “It is nothing, Adeline. Someone needs to make sure after you’re dead that your interests are taken care of.” Mitch says waving Aaron off as if he is to be ignored.
    I fist my hands as Aaron places his hand on my shoulder, calming me instantly. “There will be no need for you to handle anything. Arrangements have been made for all the royalties to go to charity. There is already a firm in place to handle the accounting and business affairs.”
    “Who is this guy? I have never heard of you.” Mitch spits out in anger.
    “Of course, you haven’t.” Aaron says with a soft tone. Taking paperwork from out of his own bag, Aaron hands it over to Mitch. “I would appreciate it if you would sign these divorce papers, as they are written, as soon as possible. Also, there will be no negotiations on anything. You either sign these papers as they are or I will be forced to take you to court. I assume you do not have the financial backing to sustain a long court battle, Mr. Blake? So please … sign these papers.” Aaron smiles handsomely.
    “I will not! These have me giving up all my rights with regard to my wife, the woman I supported and have been supporting in her time of need. I deserve it, I have been through a lot since she got sick. I demand to …”
    Aaron steps toward Mitch and stares him down,” You deserve a lot of things but none of them are things that I can do to you legally or with a woman present. But I promise you, if you do not sign these papers within forty-eight hours then I will be forced to call a friend of mine. He is a police detective and I am sure he would very much like to know about your recent business deal.”
    “I haven’t made any deals.” Mitch scoffs.
    “I wasn’t talking about the legal ones, I was referring to the ones where you are helping launder money to keep your restaurant open.” Aaron says smoothly.
    Mitch steps back and looks surprisingly pale. “I don’t know who you are or what you think you know, but I am not going to stand here and listen to this any longer.” Mitch turns to me, “You and I need to talk - alone.” Aaron steps in between us and shields me from his fury.
    “No, that will not be happening. You are no longer allowed on the premises. I have secured a protection order for Ms. Beal against you. So before I call the police, I advise you to leave, and don’t forget to take your paperwork.” Aaron pushes the divorce papers back into Mitch’s hand and shows him out the door. When he returns I stare at him in awe. “It’s good to see you again Adeline, it’s been a long time.” He takes a seat next to me with an easy smile.
    I want to touch him but I am scared that he is no more than a ghost of my own imagination. Taking my hands, Aaron places them against his face, “You feel real. But how? You’re … you’re only a character, not a reality.”
    “I am real, you created me and so now I am real.”
    “You look just how I imagined you.” Aaron Christi, the principled attorney determined to free his lover after she is sentenced to death for a crime she did not commit. He is brave and daring, taking on more than just the simple judicial system. He takes on anyone who is wrong - like Mitch. Aaron comforts me and reassures that everything is going to be okay and for some reason, I believe him. When I grow tired he helps me to bed and kisses me gently on my cheek. “Will I see you again?” I ask stopping him.
    “I will be around for when