Page 119 of The Christmas Wife

"You want to become a vet?"

She smiles, "I looove animals." She snaps her fingers; Max perks up, jumps off the sofa and races toward her.

"She and animals." Kirsten shakes her head, "I swear, she is a dog whisperer."

"And a cat one, and a hedgehog one," Skye adds.

"Hedgehog?" Kirsten scowls, "Young lady, if I find any more of those creatures in your room…I’ll…"

"Relax, Ma, I was only kidding you," she smirks. Her features resemble her uncle’s, aka the alphahole, aka the man who’d fucked me so thoroughly a few seconds ago... I blink. That tightness in my chest returns. I lower my chin, hide my face once again in my mug.

Kirsten draws in a breath, "Back to your studies, with you."

"Whatever." She returns to her room, Max at her heels.

"Can I do my homework too?" Phoenix beams up at her Mom.

"Go on then." Kirsten pulls Phe close, kisses her on the cheek. Phoenix turns to leave, then turns and runs to me. I place my mug back on the table, just in time, for she throws her arms around me.

"Oh," I hug the little girl back, "thanks, baby."

She kisses me on the cheek, then turns and races away.

"Kids," Kirsten sinks back in the arm chair, "they can sense when you’re unhappy, you know?"

I nod. "They are both beautiful; congratulations."

"Thanks." She beams. "Their father’s the disciplinarian; I spoil them I’m afraid."

"When will he be back?"

"Patrick?" Her face takes on a dreamy look, "Tomorrow, or tonight, if he can. He’s on a business trip with our oldest brother."

"Really?"

She frowns, "I take it, Weston didn’t mention that they work together?"

I shake my head.

"My father started a media company, that Liam now heads up."

"That’s your oldest sibling?"

She nods, "Patrick works with him. Weston… Well, after the incident, he changed. He needed to do something more meaningful with his life."

"Is that why he became a heart surgeon?” I ask, "Or was that to protect his own heart?"

She stares at me.

I flush. "Umm, sorry, didn't mean for it to come out that way, it's just..."

She waves her hand, "No offense taken. I was surprised, is all. I never thought about it like that, but you may be ontosomething.” She pauses, as if to commiserate with me. “I know how obnoxious my brother can be."

"That's putting it mildly." I mutter.

"I assume he's told you about the incident?" she asks.

"Some." I reply, my tone cautious. "He mentioned he and six of his friends were kidnapped and held captive for nearly a month when he was twelve, and during that time, each of them was exposed to some horrific punishment meted out to each of them by the kidnappers. It’s why he has a trigger when it comes to clocks and time-keeping devices," I swallow, "I guess."

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