The tension between Duke and Hunter is tangible as we start sealing containers, and it’s Maddie who breaks the silence this time.
“Grace, I’m going to hold you to making something for Quinn’s baby.”
My stomach untwists just a notch, grateful to be discussing something that doesn’t involve ruthless crime families or the need to upgrade my security. “Do you know if they’re having a girl or boy?”
“They aren’t telling–”
“A buh…” Hunter had started to say at the same time.
Maddie shoots him a look. “They’re having a boy?”
The man who looked murderous earlier now appears to want the ground to swallow him up. “I was going to say baby.”
Maddie stares open-mouthed at her husband. “No, you weren’t, Hunter. How do you know it’s a boy? Has Mace hacked Quinn’s medical records?”
Hunter pokes his tongue in his cheek, searching forwords to get him out of whatever trouble he’s landed in. “I couldn’t possibly comment.”
Maddie shoves containers into a bag, almost ripping the paper. “Your fucking brother doesn’t know the meaning of personal boundaries.”
“And he’s the one who’s going to look atmysecurity?” I ask. “I’m not going to find hidden cameras in my bathroom, am I?”
“Not if he wants to keep his sight,” Duke says simply.
“Don’t worry,” Maddie adds. “Mace might have some strange idiosyncrasies, but the only woman he secretly spies on is his wife.”
I don’t feel reassured. “He spies on his wife?”
“He stalked her before they got together,” Hunter offers as if that should make me feel better.
His wife scowls at him. “Great input, Hunter. Now Grace is going to think we’re all a bunch of weirdos.”
“And how did you two meet again?” Duke asks. There’s a smirk on his face. As bizarre as this conversation is, it’s definitely broken the tension.
Maddie directs her answer to me. “We met in a church.”
Hunter smiles at the memory. “It was quite an eventful day. At one point, I had to cut her out of her wedding dress so she could–”
“Don’t,” Maddie says, silencing him with one word.
My jaw drops. “And that was the day you met? On your wedding day?”
“God, no,” she replies quickly. “I was getting married to someone else.” Her cheeks start to pink up as she grabs two full bags of takeout containers. “It’s not as bad as it sounds. We’ll have to meet for cocktails once all this drama with Katarina is over, and I’ll tell you the whole sordid tale.” Sheshoves the bags against Hunter’s chest. “Let’s get out of here before you embarrass me further.”
I like Maddie. I might even like Hunter, but it could be a while before I feel brave enough to step into their world.
Except I’m already in that world.
Duke rests his back against the countertop after they’ve gone, watching me. I keep to the opposite side of the kitchen, my emotions coiling into a tightening spring. All it’s going to take is one word, one touch and I won’t be responsible for what comes next. I might rush right into Duke’s arms. Or I could just as easily run all the way back to Philadelphia.
“I’m scared, Duke.”
He flinches at that. “I shouldn’t have brought you here. I shouldn’t have tried to be clever keeping your name off the flight log,” he admits. “But Katarina’s never shown any interest in what I do at the office before.”
“Because your work doesn’t affect her,” I say. “But your involvement with a co-worker would.”
“I’m sorry.” He hangs his head low. “It’s my fault your name’s been dragged into this.”
“You offered that woman help with the best intentions. It’s not unreasonable to expect her to have your back in return, but instead she’s threatening to tell her uncle. To make him care,” I add, repeating Katarina’s phrase. “And what would happen then?”
