Page 113 of Vengeful Guard

He probably wants to keep this as quiet as possible. I do, too. Even if only because I have no idea what Declan would do if he knew I slept with his best friend, my bodyguard.

30

PAIGE

I don’t want to see anyone, but I don’t want to get cooped up in my room. God, this thing with Kael is driving me nuts, as is having Da in the hospital.

There just seems I have no mental capacity for anything else. Eating, sleeping, and peopling are so low on my priorities, I have no idea how I’m even functioning.

But I don’t really want to be alone right now. I don’t want to go down the rabbit hole existing in my brain that takes me through unending labyrinths of unanswerable questions.

As we approach the mansion, my mind is still a mess, and I have no idea what I’ll do.

Lara, on the other hand, perks up as soon as we get home, seeming wired.

She’s practically bouncing on her feet. “The last two coffees I drank just kicked in. Why don’t we have some mimosas with Bree?”

“Bree can’t have mimosas.”

“She can have virgin ones.” She grins at me. “Just like you...wait. Like you used to be.”

“Don’t.” I hit her in the arm, looking around.

She laughs. “Why not? Declan’s at the hospital, and Gray’s in his office working.”

Kael has disappeared, likely going to the gym downstairs. That guy works out all the time.

“Do you think it’s right? To be drinking and watching movies while Da...” I lower my head, biting my lip.

Lara frowns at me. “Da would want us to live our lives, Paige. He’d want us to try and go back to normal. He’d want us to believe that he’ll get better.”

“But after what the doctor said?—”

“After that, we need something to distract us. Come.” She takes my arm and all but drags me up the stairs to the movie room. She sends a text to Bree, and Bree meets us there, smiling and hugging me.

“How are you feeling?”

“As well as can be expected.” I sit down in one of the big chairs while Lara makes mimosas, some with soda water instead of champagne for our pregnant sister-in-law.

“I heard about what the doctor said.” Her smile fades. “We’ll all talk about it soon, make a decision. This isn’t just on you guys, I’ll help talk it through, too.”

Lara turns from where she’s fixing our drinks. “Of course, you will. You’re part of the family.” She looks at me, half-smiling. “I think you should tell her your news, Paige.”

I glare at Lara. “Shut up.”

Bree looks between Lara and me. “Wait, what news?”

“Our baby Paige here—” Lara starts, but I rush over to her and clamp a hand over her mouth. She promptly licks my palm, and I grimace and yell, wiping it off on my jeans.

Bree’s just laughing at us, doubled over, and I can’t help but start to laugh too.

When laughter has all but faded, I sigh. “All right, all right. I’ll tell you. But you have to swear not to tell your husband.”

“Sister secrets are better kept than husband secrets,” she promises, sticking out her pinky so that I can hook it with mine.

I smile. “I lost my virginity to Kael Sullivan.”

Bree yelps in excitement and jumps up and down. “Oh. Paige. He’s so cute. Congratulations.”

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