“She’ll stay with Fern and me,” Cade interrupted in a voice that brooked no argument. Once again stepping in with that bossy decisiveness which had been absent for so long.
Kenny laughed, even though her brother’s authoritative statement had warmed her heart.
“You and Fern are on your honeymoon, I wouldn’t dream of intruding.” Cade and Fern had decided just a couple of weeks before that they wanted to be together permanently. They even confessed their love to each other after a dramatic showdown with Fern’s awful stepfather, coming as shock to precisely no one.
“Where are you?” Nox asked, redirecting the conversation.
“Still awaiting that promise,” Kenny reminded him.
“Fine,f’fuck’s sake!” He rolled his eyes.
“Sure, no interfering,” Gideon said, thewords emerging slowly. “But I reserve the right to kick his arse if he hurts you again.”
“Same,” Nox jumped in eagerly. “You’ve got to give us that at the very least, Kenny. It’s our sacred duty as your big brothers.”
His dramatic proclamation coaxed a laugh from her. Cade remained silent, face fierce and eyes intent. He was in super scary mode.
It did not escape Kenny’s notice that he hadn’t promised not to interfere. But she was confident that he was too preoccupied with his pregnant wife and work to get too wrapped up in Kenny’s business.
“I’m in Riversend.”
“Where?” Cade asked blankly.
“A small tourist town on the Garden Route,” she elaborated.
“The fuck are you doing there?” Nox asked, looking baffled.
“Smith’s here.”
Cade’s face expression went frosty. “Why areyouthere?”
“It’s my marriage, Cade. I thought I could save it. It’s become clear that I can’t.”
“Come home immediately.” Again with that no-nonsense tone.
“No. I…I need a break. I’ve taken leave from work and I just need a little time to figure things out before I?—”
“Jesus Christ, what the hell?” This from Nox, whose gaze was fixed on some point beyond her.
Kenny winced, not needing to turn around to know that Smith was standing right behind her. A glance down at her image in the corner of the screen confirmed it.
“If he’s left you, if your marriage is over…why in fuck is that arsehole standing behind you with his shirt off?” Gideon asked, sounding more baffled than irate.
To be fair, the question was very valid.
“I came here to talk. He very graciously offered me a placeto stay for a couple of nights while I make alternative arrangements.”
“Talk about what?” Cade asked, his face and voice were dark with suspicion.
“The divorce,” she said, sighing impatiently.
“Why are you making alternative arrangements? When are you coming home?” Cade again. Nox and Gideon seemed content to let him ask the questions.
For now.
“I’m on holiday.”
“You can be on holiday at home,” Cade said.
