Page 73 of Calamity Rayne Knocked Up

I glanced at the back door, figuring that to be the only way to avoid the strangers infiltrating the front of the house. “I’ll be back in an hour.”

“Okay.” Phina uncorked another bottle of champagne.

I glanced at my mom. “Watch her.”

My mother waved me away. “We’re fine, Ray. Go.”

I hadn’t even brushed my hair yet. Avoiding the crowd, I slipped out the back door and rounded the house. It was damn cold this early in the morning and I, once again, regretted not grabbing a coat.

“We meet again.”

I spun from the car door and came face to face with Alexander Landry. “Xander. I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

“Hale invited me last night.”

“He did?”

His gaze dropped to my T-shirt and I crossed my arms over my chest. My nipples could cut glass in this weather.

He chuckled bringing his attention back to my face. “You look surprised.”

“I guess I am.”

“Why? Do you think your husband doesn’t like me?”

“That’s obviously not the case if he invited you here on Thanksgiving.”

“He invited me here in an attempt to intimidate me, Rayne.”

Every time he used my name it felt intentional, like he was trying to make a hidden point. “How do you figure?”

“Hale wanted me to see his weapons, generational wealth, and beautiful wife.Your husband has an undeniably enviable life to flaunt, and he wields it when he has to.”

I didn’t appreciate being categorized as an asset. If Hale wanted to show off my beauty, he could have at least given me a heads-up. “Are you leaving?”

He chuckled. “What fun would that be? I’m afraid that’s not how the game is played. We want to at least give Hale the sense of an upper hand, don’t we?”

Was that another gambling reference? “Well, I’m leaving.” I popped open the car door and hit the automatic start.

“Will I see you again?”

“Uh, this is my family’s Thanksgiving, so yeah, I plan on being with them.”

“And your boss’s.” He winked. “It should be an interesting day. See you later, Rayne.” He loped up the front steps, leaving me more confused than ever.

I was going to strangle Hale.

Once I got home I took a bath, in no rush to get back to Remington’s house. I really needed to go shopping and considered running out with Phina, but how many stores would be open on Thanksgiving? I needed maternity clothes, which would beeven more difficult to find, so I gave up on that idea and stewed in the tub.

My body was expanding by the minute. I was constantly out of breath and forgetting what I was doing. I had to take three breaks just to blow out my hair, and by the time I was finished, I wanted to nap.

Though my wardrobe was limited, I packed a few decent items but nothing suitable for the upper-crust company. Once again, I wished someone had given me a little notice.

Opting for leggings, a white, long-sleeved T-shirt and an orange duster, I made do with what I owned. I had not prepared a designer look for Thanksgiving because, where I came from, Thanksgiving was family, football, turkey farts, and naps.

The mood was lively when I returned to Remington’s house, and the testosterone was palpable. One glance into the parlor, and I rolled my eyes. I didn’t see Hale, but the rest of the men looked to be on their third or fourth drink.

What an emotional circle jerk. It was one big stroke fest.

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