Page 238 of Steamy Ever After

“I’m trying to figure out why you’re reacting the way you are. What happened after you left Stave?”

“We went to the lighthouse, and I drove his car.”

“What else?”

Was there an edge to Alex’s voice or was Peyton imagining it? “He asked me about Lang, then said Kade planned to retire. That his last mission was supposed to be…his…last…mission.”

Alex cocked her head. “What does Lang have to do with this, sweetheart?”

“He asked if Kade was going to adopt the boys.”

“Then what happened?”

“I told him we weren’t as serious as he thought, and he seemed angry.”

“At who? You?”

Peyton shook her head. “No. At Kade. By that time, we’d returned to Stave and I had to pick up Jamison and Finn.”

“How did you end things?”

“He’s going to call me later, after the boys are in bed.”

Alex tapped her fingers on the edge of the sofa. “Can I tell you something?”

“Of course.”

“But you have to promise me something.”

“What?”

“You won’t get mad at me.”

“I won’t.”

Alex stood and paced in front of the sofa.

“What?” Peyton prodded.

“I’m trying to decide whether to tell you or not.”

“Hang on. I need more wine and to use the bathroom.”

“Of course. Take your time.”

When she returned to the living room, Alex lowered her cell from her ear.

“All right. Go ahead.”

“If you’d told me you and Kade planned to marry, I would’ve done everything in my power to talk you out of it.”

“Why?” Peyton was stunned.

“Because he wasn’t the man you thought he was.”

BRODIE

Brodie parked the Porsche next to his truck and got out, stopping himself from ripping open the cab door and throwing the box Kade had wanted Peyton to have down the hillside.

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