Total pages in book: 179
Estimated words: 173733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 869(@200wpm)___ 695(@250wpm)___ 579(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 173733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 869(@200wpm)___ 695(@250wpm)___ 579(@300wpm)
“I know,” I say. “He’s a bastard. You want the resident bastard in your corner and for once, maybe he’s my bastard.” I walk down the stairs but I don’t even think about getting the door and Reese knows I won’t. He knows me. I head away from the door and he catches my hand. “I’ll feel them out before letting them get to you.”
I nod and rush toward the kitchen where I brew a cup of coffee, not even sure how that works with pregnancy. Can I drink coffee? I google it. I get “moderation” as my answer, and that’s good enough for me. I need something warm to burn away the chill Reid always delivers. My cup is full and piping hot when Reid, in all his arrogant good looking asshole glory, walks into the kitchen alone. “Where’s Gabe?” I ask.
“Talking about a case he’s on with your husband.”
“I see.” I hug myself.
“Stop acting like I bite, Cat.” He steps to the opposite side of the counter. “I’ll bite for you, but not you.”
“You’ve done plenty of biting where I’m concerned.”
“I’m proud of you, Cat.”
I blanch. “What?”
“I am proud of you. I am.”
I should revel in this. Instead, I feel angry. “Says the man who shut me out because I didn’t join the family firm.”
“I had reasons for what I did and felt.”
“Yeah—dad. He made you think there was no other life but the one he chose for us.”
“That’s not true,” he says.
“I can’t do this now. I have—I have way too much on me now.” My stomach rolls and I swallow hard. “Not now.”
“Cat—”
“Everything okay?” Reese asks from the door.
My gaze jerks to the archway to find him and Gabe standing there, and both look concerned. Gabe and I have had our issues, along the same lines as those I’ve had with Reid, but they were never as bad as with Reid, and Gabe and I have come a long way, while Reid and I are nowhere close to that in my book. He’s just hurt me too much.
“It’s fine,” I say tightly, and Reese is quick to join me on this side of the island, while Gabe steps directly across from him. I’m still directly in front of Reid.
Reese’s hand settles on my back and he looks down at me. “What do you want to do, sweetheart?”
“You tell them,” I say. “Please.”
“You’re sure?” Reese asks.
“Holy hell,” Gabe says. “Tell me now. Is someone sick?” He looks at me. “Cat?”
“No,” I say. “No, that’s not it.”
“What is it then?” Gabe says.
“First,” Reese says, “I’m innocent and need legal help.”
“What does that mean?” Reid interjects tightly.
“I had a stalker before I met Cat,” Reese explains. “It was pretty crazy. I slept with her twice, and she became obsessed. She showed up everywhere I went and then she was just gone.”
“She’s back?” Gabe assumes. “Is she after Cat?”
“She’s back,” Reese confirms. “Pregnant and claiming it’s mine. I haven’t seen this woman in years and she confronted Cat to deliver this news.”
Reid looks at me, his blue eyes fierce before they shift to Reese. The two men stare each other down, and I hate Reid in this moment. I hate the accusation in him that would call my husband a cheater. I hate that this is how my brother finally decides to protect me. It’s wrong. He’s wrong. “This was a mistake,” I say, turning to Reese. “This was a mistake.” I turn to my brothers. “Please leave. No, not please. Just leave.”
Chapter sixty
Cat
“Leave,” I repeat, looking at Reid but speaking to him and Gabe. I don’t need them working against Reese. I don’t need them judging me or us at all.
“Cat—” Reid starts, but I cut him off.
“Say nothing, Reid. I don’t need this right now.”
His jaw sets hard. “I do not think he’s guilty. That’s not the look I gave him. You’re looking for what isn’t there.”
Reese’s hand comes down on my back. “Cat,” he says softly. “Sweetheart. He doesn’t believe I’m guilty.”
“I damn sure don’t,” Gabe interjects.
I twist around to face Reese. “But he—”
“No,” he says, his hands coming down on my arms. “He didn’t look at me with accusation, but rather anger that this is happening.”
“But I—”
He kisses me hard and fast. “He’s on our side.”
My lashes lower but I don’t turn back to my brothers.
“Cat,” Reid says. “Let’s talk alone.”
I rotate to face him. “No. Now is not the time for you to—”
“Please,” he says softly.
I blanch. “Did Reid Maxwell just say please to me?”
“Yes, little sister, I did. Let’s talk alone.”
“I—well, you said please so yes, but do not accuse my husband—”
“Reese didn’t cheat on you, Cat,” Reid says. “I know that.”
I swallow hard and Reese leans in close. “Gabe and I will go to the front living area.” He kisses my temple and then rounds the island. In another thirty seconds, I’m alone with my brother who I’ve had a tenuous relationship with my entire adult life.