Page 103 of End Game

A soft, feminine chuckle broke out beside him.

“It’s not funny,” he growled, pulling up Rohan’s text.

“Watching the two of you is the best show on earth.”

Ash clamped his teeth together, entered the new code, and eyed the gate’s opening with intense annoyance.

As he pulled away, Zeke’s amused voice reached through the window and flicked his ear. “We’re all in the Great Hall.”

Wonderful. Group humiliation. His favorite.

49

Leaving Crispy in her carrier and the windows cracked, Kayla led the way from the parking lot to the large residence the family called the Friary in honor of its original Franciscan monk residents.

Soon after purchasing the behemoth, the Blackwells sank a significant amount of money into its renovation, creating large suites for each family member as well as guest rooms. The property also included a gorgeous chapel, an office building called the Annex, several renovated cabins that were erected when the property was owned by a church camp, and a number of outbuildings. Surrounding the living space was nearly a thousand acres of forested land, also under restoration, and a state-of-the-art security system.

Kayla stepped onto the expansive front stoop at the same time one of the ten-foot-tall front doors opened, revealing Zeke. His eyes shifted from Ash to her before he wrapped her in a warm hug.

“Hello, Trouble.”

No questions, no raised eyebrows about her presence, not even an annoyed tone, considering their accidental meeting yesterday.

“Sorry to barge in on y’all,” she said, stepping away.

“You’re welcome anytime.” He nodded toward the interior where a bevy of excited voices could be heard. “Liv and the other ladies will be happy to see you.” Niceties done, he focused his considerable attention on his brother, who’d remained below on the pathway. “Ash.”

“Zeke.”

She wondered how long they would’ve stayed that way if Zeke hadn’t realized she’d failed to take his hint.

He tried again. “We won’t be long.”

“If you think I’m going to leave the two of you alone, you’ve learned absolutely nothing about me in the past two years.”

“Your balls still intact?” Ash asked from the sidewalk.

“Yeah, no thanks to you.”

Ash directed his next words to Kayla. “Last time we spoke, he was certain Liv would make him a eunuch for spilling the baby beans.”

“We agreed not to share the news until the end of her first trimester.”

“Smart, but hard,” Kayla said, “especially for first-timers.”

“Did you announce it to everyone yet?” Ash asked.

“Just tonight.” The hard edge around Zeke’s jaw softened. “Can’t you tell?”

Another wave of excited chatter rushed through the open door.

When the two men fell into another staring contest, Kayla sighed and waved Ash forward.

He hesitated a moment, then joined them on the stoop.

“Zeke,” she said, “Ash is sorry he figured out your secret and against his will told me what was up with my BFF.”

Both men opened their mouths to protest. She held up a hand. “I’m sorry I pushed him into telling me, but his hedging made my mind go to the worst possible scenarios.” She lasered in on the soon-to-be-father. “Your brother did me a kindness. Now accept his apology.”

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