Текст книги "Mutually Exclusive"

Автор книги: Charlotte Winston

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Текущая страница: 15 (всего у книги 17 страниц)

22

Alexandra laid her head on her mother’s shoulder three days later, in her happy place at her father’s cabin. Although this was a sorrowful weekend, she was never more thankful for her family than after the past few weeks. She’d spent the previous three days trying to figure out how her two cases were related and came up with nothing. There wasn’t even a whisper of anything nefarious, but this was too coincidental to overlook. If that wasn’t enough, she’d spent a lot of time ignoring Roman, who’d been trying to call her since Tuesday. She wasn’t opening herself up to rejection again in some misguided sense of righteousness. She gave him the key; he could have the house after this weekend.

Her mother patted the side of her head. “Why is my baby so sad?”

“You know I’m always sad at this time, Mom.”

“I know, but it’s something else. Not like the heartbreak of someone who lost their father, but someone who had their heart broken by the guy who was the one. Where’s Roman?”

Alexandra stared at her mother pointedly. “I think we both know why he’s not here.”

Her mother sighed, putting her hand on the side of Alexandra’s head so she’d lay it back on her shoulder. “Are you mad I didn’t tell you?”

“Mad isn’t the word. I’m worried about you, and can’t figure out why we come here every year if he came here with his mistress. She committed suicide in this very house.”

“I know. As to why we come here, it’s my version of penance, I guess.” Her mother sat up, pressing her hands together and leaning forward between her legs. “Neither one of us were perfect. We both made mistakes. It was my fault he was out of town. I’d found out about Trina and told him I hoped he never came back from Washington. He didn’t. I lost your father and my best friend in one weekend, and I’ve never been able to forgive myself. I felt as though it were my fault somehow. So I left the house alone, and Trina killed herself months after your father.”

“Does this have anything to do with Franklin?”

Her mother stood, rubbing her hands down her arms and pacing in front of the couch where Alexandra sat. “Franklin and I were friends. He told me not to worry about what happened with your father, and I didn’t. But then he disappeared about the same time as your father. I figured he felt guilty because your father died and decided to stay away. I never heard from him again.”

“Huh.” Alexandra let it sink in while her mother rambled on about missed connections. “Did he contact you recently?”

Eyes so like her own became suspiciously bright. “No.” She scrubbed her hands down her face, crossing her arms over her chest. “And I was too embarrassed to contact him. Too much time has gone by. I decided to let him be.”

“And Roman. How do you feel about him?”

“Am I happy you’re dating Trina’s son? No. Will I stand in the way? No. True love spans the test of time, regardless of the circumstances. I had a love like that, and I want you to have the same fortune. So I won’t stand in your way.” Alexandra wanted to ask if her mother was speaking of her father but didn’t bother. There was no point. If she was referring to Franklin, she could call him herself. Maybe her mother was right and too much time had passed. She could ease her mom’s mind a little, tell her mother her penance was over, but didn’t bother. When Roman got a hold of the house, he’d demolish it, no questions asked, and they wouldn’t be able to come there again. Her mother needed assurance as much as Alexandra did, but Alexandra couldn’t push the words through her lips. She went back to her default response when anyone asked about Roman.

“Roman’s at a conference.”

“Alexandra Kane, do not pee on my face and tell me it’s raining.”

Alexandra sat back, surprised by her mother’s statement. “I’m sorry?”

“You heard me. He doesn’t have a conference. You were stuttering your way through it when he,” she put in air quotes, “reminded you he would be away this weekend. Before we talk about why your man’s not here, tell me why you lied to me.”

Alexandra ducked her head, the need to hide overwhelming her. This wasn’t the time or the place to have this conversation, not when her mother had been so good to her. “You always love coming up to the cabin around this weekend, and it would devastate you and Gran if I wasn’t here.”

“Is that what you think? Honey, I did that for you and your sister. You were two scared little girls when he died, and you seemed to enjoy coming to the vacation home. I never thought about what it’d do to you.”

Alexandra nodded, too overcome to speak. “You were amazing. A mother and a father when you needed to be.”

“You had the memory of your father, and I tried to make sure you girls were happy and healthy. I started this weekend getaway with your grandparents when the first anniversary rolled around and all you girls did was sit around and cry. We decided to get out of town, and I loved going to the cabin before all the mess with Trina, so I gave it a try.”

“I did love it. I mean, I do, but recently, I’ve just wanted to spend the weekend doing something else. I feel like in coming back here, we’re remembering his death, as opposed to how he lived. I tried to live my life in a way that would make him proud, and that’s how I remember him. I love the cabin, but I don’t need to recreate the weekend every year.”

“Baby girl.” Her mother held out her arms for Alexandra to dive in. She breathed deep, surrounding herself in the light floral scent her mother always wore. Alexandra choked up a little, remembering her sitting with her doing the same when she couldn’t sleep in the months following her father’s death. “You have made me so proud. All we wanted was for you and your sister to be happy. Can you say you’re happy working all those hours, not having a life, and being without Roman?”

“Roman is not my fault. He broke up with me after Henry threatened my job because Roman felt he wasn’t good for me. I told him weeks ago he was going to impact my job, and when it eventually happened, he walked.”

“Did he say why? Because the other day, he looked like he was ready to throw you on the table and have his way with you.”

“Mom!” She was not talking about sex with her mother.

“I’m not so old I don’t remember what it’s like to have a guy who watches you as though you’re his everything. I had that once.”

Alexandra put her face in her hands, blushing. “I do not want to hear about you and Dad. You’re going to give me a complex.”

“Pssh.” Her mother waved her off. “How do you think you guys got here?”

“Moving on…” Alexandra continued. “Roman told me he was protecting me since being attached with him had the opportunity to destroy my career because of all the negative press.”

“Could it?”

“At the time, yes. You know how they are at the firm. But then I felt like I was in the middle of a dream the other day, because Henry apologized and told me he had no right to interfere in my life.”

Her mother’s mouth fell open at her last statement. “You’re telling me Henry the Hater apologized? To you?”

Alexandra nodded. “I was surprised as hell.”

“What does he want?” she asked. Her mother wasn’t being unreasonable, since Henry had a reputation of being ruthless. Any act of kindness he showed was scrutinized, since it was as rare as a Halley’s Comet.

“I don’t know.” Alexandra kept her suspicions about the cases to herself for professional reasons. Plus, she only had an inkling they were connected with nothing to prove her suspicions.

“Well, we don’t have time to worry about why that temperamental man decided to grow a heart and be nice to you. I’m more worried about Roman. Have you tried to talk to him?”

“He followed me after court the other day, before Henry did his one-eighty, but he didn’t tell me anything substantial. He’s the one who really pushed me into a relationship when I was reluctant. Don’t get me wrong, once I was in I was all in, but it took me a while to get there. He had to sweet talk me to get me to see his side of things, and then he bailed. I was sticking around for once, and he’s the one to leave me.”

“Has he tried to contact you after you told him to leave you alone?” Alexandra turned away, because her mother was going to tell her she was an idiot. She felt the hand on her chin, turning Alexandra back so she had to look her in the eye. “Did he try to contact you since then?”

“Maybe,” she conceded as her mother’s signature right eyebrow rose. “But if he’s not willing to stick by me when I need him, I’m through.”

“Even if he felt he was causing the problem?”

“I don’t know.” Alexandra never considered the situation from his perspective, but she wouldn’t want to be the cause of any harm to Roman. She cared for him too much to see him get in trouble for her, and she’d walk away, too, if she felt it was best. Damn it, she hated being wrong. “Probably.” She hung her head, staring at the carpet as though the foot she was rubbing against it was the most interesting thing in the world.

“That’s what I figured. You, my beautiful girl, have always kept people at arm’s length since your father’s death. I thought you’d grow out of it, but you’re still doing it twenty years later.” Her mother put her arm around her shoulder, pulling Alexandra close.

“People die, honey, and there’s nothing we can do about it. Instead of holding yourself away from people, you should pull those you love close, since you never know when the goodbye you say is the last. Dad wouldn’t want you mourning his life; he’d want you to celebrate that he lived and loved you and Parker period, no holds barred. You need to give the guy a chance to explain himself because sometimes, guys can be clueless. You don’t want or need his protection; you want his support. But you get nothing if you don’t give him a chance to explain himself.” She kissed the top of her head, then stood to leave.

“You’re right about this place.” Her mother looked around. “We don’t have to come back here anymore. Pick somewhere exotic, and we’ll all go away so we can make new memories on one of our hardest weekends of the year.”

“Okay.” Alexandra nodded, still not disclosing the house wouldn’t be there much longer.

“My work here is done. You have a half hour.” She looked Alexandra up and down, taking in the plain tank top and pajama bottoms she still wore.

“A half hour for what?”

“To get ready. Take a shower, do your hair, and put on some makeup and decent clothing. Just because we’re in the woods doesn’t mean we need to start looking like we live in the bush.”

***

The house was silent when Alexandra came down forty minutes later.

“Hello!” She walked from room to room looking for someone, but no one was around and the boat keys were missing from the holder. “Why was I supposed to be down here if they just left me?” She grabbed her phone and a beer, walking out on the deck to call her mother. It was gorgeous with the lake backing up to the deck where they docked their boats. She sat on the deck chair, taking a long pull of her beer, when the phone in her hand began to ring.

Roman. She sighed deeply seeing his smiling face on her phone. She’d ignored him for over a week, still wasn’t ready to put her heart on the line again, but her mother had a point. She needed to hear him out.

“Hey,” she answered.

“Alexandra.” He let out a long exhale.

“Were you expecting someone else to answer my phone?” She smiled though he couldn’t see her, taking another drink of the beer.

“No. No, of course not, but you haven’t been answering. I just assumed I’d get your voicemail again.”

She stared at the setting sun, figuring it would be the perfect setting for a romantic dinner. “Yeah, I was mad at you. Still am, if I’m being honest.”

“I was an asshole. I did the one thing I told you I wouldn’t do, leave during the absolute worst week ever. Alexandra, I’m sorry about leaving you alone when you were dealing with your father and the possibility of losing your job—”

“I didn’t,” she interrupted. “My job, I mean. I didn’t lose my job, but I did lose the guy I was dating when I thought he’d be there for me. I understand on one hand why you ran, but it hurt so much. I felt like my heart had been ripped out of my chest for no reason, and the thought of having to face everything on my own…”

“Babe, I understand. If I were there with you right now, I’d sit on that back porch with you, get you another beer, and watch the sunset with you.” She stood up and turned around to see Roman walking around the side of the house toward her with his phone to his ear. He grinned from ear to ear, and her earlier anger evaporated as she ran toward him. He caught her, hefting her up when she wrapped her arms around him.

“I’m still mad at you.” She peppered his face with kisses.

“I’m still mad at me, too,” he answered, carrying her toward the chair where she’d sat when he’d called. He sat, positioning her on his lap. She put her face in his neck, breathing him in. She loved this man, no doubt about it, but she had to be sure he wouldn’t leave again. “When you said you could lose your job because of me, I lost it. I never meant to make you feel like you were less; I was trying to protect you.”

She sat up, because some conversations were better spoken when looking a person in the eye. “I understand, but I wish you had talked to me instead of just making decisions for me.”

“It’s not a mistake I’ll make again. I get crazy when I think about the club, and I have this need to protect it. When I thought you were threatened by it, I felt pulled by my two different loves. I couldn’t handle it, so I backed away from you, and that was wrong.”

“Just as long as you never do it again.”

He held up two fingers. “Scout’s honor.”

“You weren’t a boy scout.”

“Shows what you know, I was an eagle—” She kissed him to shut him up, her need from him overpowering any lingering feelings of anger. They could work through any remaining issues later. She missed him, and she wanted him, and there was no way she was letting another minute pass without making sure he knew it. Life was short, and she was taking her mother’s advice and making sure Roman knew before it was too late.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” she whispered against his lips, before reality started to set in. “I thought I told you I needed the weekend before you could take up residence?”

“Well.” He scratched the side of his head. “I may have conspired with your mother so I could find you alone.”

The conversation earlier, the demand to get ready in thirty minutes finally made sense. “Remind me to say something to her next time I see her.”

“You’re gonna get your wish later tonight, although I told them I’d need hours since you’re stubborn.”

She laid her head on his chest, relishing the sound of his heartbeat. “Perfect. I was hoping we’d have the house to ourselves. I can’t do what I want to you if there are people around.”

“Don’t worry; I can still make you scream.”

“Are you okay being here?” she asked, addressing the unspoken question. His birth mother had died there, so it had to be rough on him. Roman swallowed hard, nodding.

She kissed the side of his neck. “How about we make some new memories?”

23

Roman picked her up, carrying her inside while she directed him toward her room. Alexandra was slammed against the back of the door seconds before Roman’s lips landed on hers, his taste as familiar as her own. Her hands snaked up to hold his head in place, never wanting him to let go. She’d missed this. She’d missed him. When your heart existed outside your body you didn’t want to be separated from it.

Roman broke the kiss, his hands tucking her wayward strands behind her ears, smiling softly. “Missed you,” he whispered, his lips trailing to her neck, kissing the spot behind her ear that never failed to drive her crazy.

“Never again,” she said, her hands grabbing the back of his shirt to lift it over his head. He stopped her with a touch to the wrists, leading her to the bed instead of taking her against the door like she expected.

“I promise,” he vowed, after he’d sat beside her on the bed.

He gathered her close. “I want you to know as long as there is breath in my body you will never again be rejected by me. I’ve never felt like this before, and you fill up parts I didn’t know needed filling. You’re like a balm to my battered soul when I would have gone on the way I was. I know I told you not to fall for me, but then I broke my own rule and fell for the girl who bulldozed me into a sexual relationship I didn’t know I needed.”

She lifted her leg so it was wrapped around his waist, wanting the contact. “You always know the right words to tell me how you’re feeling, while I walk around like an awkward schoolgirl who’s never been asked to a dance. I can’t explain it. I’m self-assured, a kick-ass lawyer, and never had a problem with relationships, but with you I can’t find my balance. I’m second-guessing myself, and I can’t find my footing.” It was an admission she wouldn’t have made months before, but he made her feel secure in her feelings and she needed him to know where she stood. If they wanted to create a lasting relationship, they needed equal footing, which meant hard conversations and honest truths.

“Baby.” His eyes softened. “When you come across the only relationship that matters, it’s going to be different than all the ones before. No one before had the power to destroy me in the way someone who truly matters does. No use fighting what you’re feeling. Just know I’m here to catch you, every time, as many times as you need. I’ll be a soft place for you to fall. When you love someone, they’re the only person who matters. You no longer end where they begin; your existence becomes tied up in theirs.”

She felt the warmth of his words, so excited it manifested itself into a smile on her face. Only Roman would bury a declaration of love in a lecture. It was what he did. He lectured, she listened, and chose to take what was useful. Every word of his last declaration she would be keeping forever. Alexandra considered herself an ordinary girl with an extraordinary job. She had amazing friends who helped break up the monotony of her otherwise boring existence, but Roman was a burst of light that overshadowed the darkness.

“What did I do to deserve you?”

“You think you don’t deserve me?” he scoffed. “I’m the one who thanks my lucky stars you refused to take no for an answer. I would have missed out on your goodness, and that would have been a shame.”

“I love you, too.” She traced patterns along his chest. “In case you were wondering.” He squeezed her tighter, his lips on the top of her head as though breathing her in. She continued on, while she was protected in his arms. “And I’ve had to get myself off this whole week. I need you to get on with it.”

Her words spurred him into action. He took off her shirt before throwing her down on the bed. He lay over her, leaning down to lick the tops of her breasts peeking out from her bra. “You better not have orgasmed without me. Those are mine.”

“Maybe I did, maybe I didn’t.” She shrugged as though she wasn’t underneath him with nowhere to go. “But I think we need to renegotiate.”

“There won’t be another contract,” he growled, possessing her lips again. That’s what it was, a possession. She was no longer her own, she was a part of a team, and Roman told her with his hands and his lips she belonged to him. Hands gliding down her body seconds before his lips, he kissed her everywhere. He licked a line down her stomach, and Alexandra was lost to the emotions within her. This was too much, and one of the reasons she’d always commanded he fuck her. She refused to acknowledge everything happening within them. He smiled up at her when his hands reached the clasp of her jeans, and she nodded her agreement. Days without Roman felt like a lifetime, and they both needed the affirmation.

“Love you,” he told her while he removed her jeans and panties. Giddy when she heard him reiterate his love, as long as she lived, she hoped she never took his words for granted. He stepped back, removing his own clothes before joining her again on the bed. “There’s no rush.” He kissed the spot behind her ear, telling her without words they were taking this slow.

“There’s no rush,” she agreed. His fingers parted her while he lazily stroked in and out, getting her worked up. She widened her legs so he could move deeper, and he continued his ministrations as though he had all day. It was different, they were different, and she allowed herself to let go, finding her release. He grabbed a condom, prepared to open it when she grabbed it from his hands.

“I’m on the pill. We don’t need it.” And they didn’t. He was the forever kind, and she wanted to feel him within her without any barriers. He kissed her deeply, bending her knee back before he entered her to the hilt. She let go, lifting her hips to match him stroke for stroke. It was slow, methodic, beautiful, and told her how much he loved her.

***

Alexandra walked into the bar weeks later, ready for her girls’ night. Time since the cabin had been amazing. She’d gone back to work, getting her old cases back while she and Roman had spent their evenings together. It took getting used to, since they’d rarely been out in public prior to their exposure from the media, but it was exhilarating to go out and not have to worry about her job. She’d even met his family, who welcomed her with open arms. It was one of the reasons she’d called for the girls’ night out, in order to introduce Rachel to her sister and Blair.

“You look gorgeous!” Parker hugged her when she walked up to the table.

“So do you.” She kissed her on the cheek, wiping away the pink lip gloss she’d left. “How have you been this week?”

“Living the dream. Sit down; I already ordered your margarita with no salt.” Alexandra used her hip to push Parker to the other side of the booth, leaving the other side for Blair and Rachel. “Who else is coming?”

“Blair called, she’s about ten minutes away, and Roman’s sister should be here any minute. And you need to be nice.” She pointed at Parker.

“Me? What did I do? I don’t even know the girl.”

“Nothing yet, but you tend to judge before you know somebody, and I want you to give her a fair shake.”

“It’s ’cause you love Roman.” Parker waved her hands dramatically in the air, prompting Alexandra to roll her eyes.

“Shut up and act like you have some sense. I met Rachel the other day and invited her out because she was upset. She just broke up with her boyfriend, and I want to make sure she has a good time.” Alexandra took a sip from her margarita, watching the door for Rachel. She did feel bad for the girl. Her boyfriend had told her she was too much work. She was a firecracker, but seemed a bit weepy. Hence the reason Alexandra suggested Rachel join them for a girls’ night. There she goes, she thought, watching the bubbly brunette in red hot pants, black tank top, and heels walking toward her.

“Hey!” Rachel waved, and Alexandra quickly made introductions. Rachel slid into the other side of the booth. “Where is the waiter? I need a drink!”

Parker leaned closer to her, eyes bright with sympathy. “I hope I’m not prying, but Alexandra said you just broke up with your boyfriend. Don’t worry about it; we’ll get you good and drunk and you’ll forget all about him.”

“It’s no problem.” She waved off her sympathy. “He was a flash in the pants anyway, and a horrible lay. I’m just mad he got the jump on me when I was going to break up with him next week. Now it makes me look pathetic, which I hate, and I became the subject of dinner last week when Roman brought Alexandra for everyone to meet.” She thanked the waiter, who placed her drink in front of her.

“My mother loved you, by the way,” Rachel added as an afterthought to Alexandra, and then continued the conversation with Parker about horrible boyfriends as though she hadn’t just rocked Alexandra’s world. She’d hoped to make a good impression, but never in a million years did she believe she’d gain acceptance so quickly.

“Sorry I’m late.” Blair sat down with a huff. “I was trying to deal with my husband. And I need a shot. NOW.” She grabbed Alexandra’s drink, downing it in one gulp.

“Okaaaay.” Alexandra took the empty glass and set it away from her. “You wanna tell me why you came in here and started drinking like you’re trying to break the latest world record? What happened with Derrick?”

Blair rolled her eyes. “Let me tell you what the asshole did to me.” She pulls out her phone, pulling up her latest messages. “I hear a crash outside. Then I get this text message that said ‘Hey, babe, how attached are you to your bumper?’”

Parker choked on the drink she had just taken a sip from, spitting it all over the table.

“Wait, what?!” Alexandra grabbed some napkins, helping Parker dab up the mess. Blair was obsessed with the white Range Rover she got a month ago. It was her dream car and she made sure it had all the bells and whistles.”

Blair held up her finger. “Give me a minute. It gets better. So I stared at this for a couple of minutes, because what the hell? My husband didn’t just text that he wrecked me car? So I text back, ‘If you hit my car I’m hitting your face douchebag.’ To which he replies, ‘Fuck’.”

“That’s it?” Rachel asked.

Blair nodded in her direction then did a double take. “I’m sorry, we haven’t met. And I just put my business in the street to someone I don’t know.”

“Oh, sorry. I’m Rachel.” She held out her hand, but Blair looked at Alexandra while she shook it.

Alexandra answered the confusion in her eyes. “Roman’s sister.”

“Right. Forgot you were coming. But since I’ve shared the shit I’m going through, we’re all family now.” Blair’s face was flushed, but she didn’t look any different. There was a determined gleam in her eye, but an outward calm Alexandra found disturbing.

“What did Derrick say?”

“What do you think he said?” Blair shrugged. “He told me he’d get it fixed, and wisely left the keys for his car.” She drank, ignoring the looks exchanged by Rachel, Parker, and Alexandra.

“That sucks.” Alexandra patted Blair’s hand when she sat her drink down.

Blair stared into her drink, stirring it with her straw. “Asshole. So I’m getting drunk and I’m charging his card.”

“We’ll get you drunk. If you really want to stick it to him, you should charge all our drinks to his car,” Rachel joked. “I’m all for hating men right now since my boyfriend broke up with me.”

Blair propped her chin in her hand, her eyes downcast. “No offense, ladies, but I don’t want to discuss this anymore. I’ll deal with my husband later. He better fix my dream car, and then I’ll have him buy me something else ridiculously expensive to make up for it.. Besides,” she looked at Alexandra, “I’m not the only one hiding information.”

“What are you talking about? I’m not hiding information.” Blair reached into her bag, pulling out the day’s newspaper. She opened it to the front page, above the fold, where Franklin Williams was smiling like a loon. She groaned inwardly, thinking she was done with him. Tech Mogul Goes Public, the headline read. She scanned the article but most of the information she already knew, about wanting to go public with the company.

She folded the paper back, handing it to Blair. “I knew he was going public.”

“Why didn’t you tell me who was buying stock in his company?” Blair got the paper back out, opening it and pointing at the list of names on the second page. Alexandra’s heart raced, staring at the name in front of her, sure her eyes must be deceiving her. There was no way his name was on the list. She grabbed the paper, tracing the name over and over again, pieces falling into place, the missing link written right in front of her.

“Oh, my God! Guys, I know what’s going on. Wesley told me to follow the money, but I didn’t believe him.” Parker, Rachel, and Blair scrunched their faces, probably figuring she’d lost her mind.

“I gotta go!” She quickly kissed her sister, taking the paper on her way out the door.

***

It took her a week to get all her information in line to confront him. After she ran out of girls’ night like a crazy person, she spent the rest of her time putting the pieces together. She ran sweaty palms down her slacks while she walked down the hallway, the lone light at the end like a beacon to her. She took a couple deep breaths to calm her nerves, knocking on the half-open door.

“Alexandra!” he greeted with a smile, standing up behind his desk.

“Hey, Barrett.” She returned the smile, sitting in front of him. “I guess you’re probably a bit surprised to see me here, but I wanted to talk to you without everyone else here. Henry said you were working late this evening.”

“About—”

“I want to know why.” She cut right to the point and saw happiness switch to confusion.

“Why what? I’m not sure I understand.” She got up, moving to the whiteboard in the back, because this was better as a visual.

“I’m going to draw you a diagram, because the pieces are kind of complicated. I know it took me forever to put them together, and it wasn’t until last week that everything came together. Two months ago, I was handed the Williams case, a trademark dispute with Jonathan Hawkeye.” She put the two names on the board. Barrett sat silently while she connected the dots.

“You and Henry gave me the case, told me it was a must-win, my partnership on the line. As I told you several times, I was going to win it, because there was too much discrepancy in the dates for me to lose, but you guys continued to stress for whatever reason. Enter Leo Dominic.” She put Mr. Dominic’s name near Jonathan’s name. “Mr. Dominic is a nice family man, owns a pizza parlor in one of the more rundown neighborhoods downtown, and had never had any problems with the law or anything. He’s approached and told to have his grandson Jonathan drop the suit, but he doesn’t, and coincidentally, Mr. Dominic’s store is robbed about a month before we go to court. The person arrested for the crime is Corey Davis.” She put Corey’s name at the bottom with the words INNOCENT under his name in all caps. “You with me so far?”