Spider-Man by Stefan Petrucha

Author:Stefan Petrucha
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Titan

FOURTEEN

THE FURNISHINGS in the Long Island beach manor were adequate, the ocean view breathtaking. The open floor plan gave even a large man plenty of room to pace.

But it wasn’t home.

Without Hell’s Kitchen to remind Wilson Fisk how far he’d risen, he felt like a king in exile. Until today. He was never hopeless, but for the first time since they’d gone into hiding, the news was good—so good that despite their strained relations, he was eager to share it with Vanessa.

She stood in the center of a long row of windows, looking dully at the water. He strode back and forth behind her, occasionally clenching his fists in triumph.

“Some details are missing, others subject to rumor, but the most important facts are crystal clear. Silvermane is gone, presumed dead. The Maggia’s lauded attorney is awaiting trial. Our enemies have defeated themselves! Perhaps I should locate Wesley. No doubt he already has ideas on who the traitor is.”

Hoping she’d respond, he paused. She had the sliding glass door open a crack; the salt-tinged breeze swept her gown. She looked regal, as always. A queen. His queen. But a sad and mourning queen.

“Do you understand, my love? We can go home.”

She said nothing.

“I know I’ve been difficult, fighting phantoms, dreaming of being trapped in jail while you were in danger. You saw how I thrashed in my sleep. You know how strong I am—I only asked you to stay in a separate bed for your protection. But that’s over now.”

She pulled open the door farther. A briny gust hit his face. The distant winter was already in the air. “It’s not that, Wilson. It’s never been that.”

He grimaced. “You rescued me from the street. You refused to abandon me completely, but your heart remains out of reach. Are we to stay in this purgatory, then? Together, but apart? I knew how hard you’d take Richard’s death. I realize now that my fruitless lies only deepened that pain. But so long as you refuse to speak of it, to show it to me, that depth remains unfathomable.”

He reached out, daring to touch her shoulder. She trembled so fiercely that he expected her to be in tears when she turned.

But she was laughing.

“Vanessa, are you all right? Should I get you one of your pills?”

She pushed his hand away.

He held his ground. “Tell me what you’re feeling! I’d prefer that you raged at me, beat me. Whatever it is, let it out. If not to free us both, then at least to free yourself.”

She shook her head. “I still love you too much to do that, but I’m not going to protect you from the truth anymore, either.”

“The truth? What truth?”

Ever alert to threats, his eyes caught an odd movement on the beach. The sand on what appeared to be a dune shivered as if hit by a strong wind. As the vibrations continued, an ebon vehicle shed its camouflage.

A hooded man stepped out.

The Kingpin stiffened. “Who is that? How did he get past our security?”

Vanessa’s hand on his chest kept him briefly still.

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