Page 55 of Cold as (N)ice

“Are you finished?” Barrett said bluntly, not bothering to hide his disgust.

“Oh ho, so the little slut went and…”

“And I’m gonna stop you right there!”Barrett snarled, interrupting the other man, slamming his fist down on the table causing all of the plates and glasses to rattle loudly. His words were steel, sharp, and cutting as they sliced through the man’s filth. His grip on the phone was tight enough to crack it. He forced himself to stay calm, to stay in control, but his voice dropped to a dangerous, low growl.

“See, you’re going to deal withmenow because you sure as heck can’t act like a man.” He exhaled, steadying himself. “Here’s what you’re going to do?—”

“Whatever, dude?—”

“No.” His voice was absolute, firm as bedrock. “You are going to lose this number, forget Irene, and never contact her again. Because if youeverdo, I will have an attorney on you so fast it’ll make your head spin.” His tone darkened. “Harassment. Child neglect. Abandonment. You name it, and I’llburyyou in it. And I don’t do anything halfway or quickly. We’ll be in court so long you’ll be living on a park bench somewhere, regretting the day you ever made Irene or Stephen feel like they werelessthan they are.”

His voice dropped even lower, each word slow and deliberate, meant to land like a hammer.

“Now, crawl back into whatever cesspool you emerged from and find someone else to harass. This conversation isover, and I don’t want toever, everhear of you bothering mywifeagain, or I will see you in court.”

And with that, he hung up.

Silence.

Not just at their table—everywhere.

It was as if the entire restaurant had gone still. Conversations halted, forks frozen midway to plates. But none of that mattered. The only thing that mattered was Irene.

She was pale, staring at him, her eyes shining with emotion. He opened his mouth to speak, to apologize for losing his temper in public, but before he could, she whispered.

“I love you.”

His heart clenched.

She swallowed hard, her voice thick with unspoken emotion. “I love youso muchfor saying that, for sticking up for me, for… forall of that.”

And the restaurant exploded in applause around them. Irene’s beautiful gaze held his as he drank her in, memorizingthat single look, because she’d finally said the words he’d longed to hear. His chest ached with how much he loved her.

“Irene,” he said softly, reaching across the table and taking her hand in his. “You’re my wife. No one—no one—is going to treat you that way. I won’t let them. Because I love you, too.” He squeezed her hand gently. “I love both of you. And it kills me that you thought you had to hide this from me.”

She blinked rapidly, her fingers tightening around his. “I just… I didn’t know what to say, or?—”

“Say you need me,” he interrupted, his voice gentle but insistent. “Say you want to share something with me. Say you need to talk, or scream, or throw something. Because I’m your husband, and I will take on anything you need. I will fightanyfight. I will always,alwayshave your back.”

Her chin trembled. “Can we go home?” she whispered, eyes pleading.

He chuffed a soft, knowing chuckle, shaking his head. “Nope.”

Her brows furrowed, and he smirked, leaning in, his voice full of quiet love as he handed her back her purse – and her cell phone. “You need to finish eating.” He moved slightly, reaching out, and tapping a finger gently against her plate. “That’smychild growing in you. And our boy?” He gestured toward Stephen, who was currently attempting to slide a piece of celery under his napkin.

Barrett narrowed his eyes.

Stephen froze.

Eat that,Barrett gestured openly, holding the child’s gaze,and we’ll play a video game before bed.

Stephen scowled as he motioned.But it’s celery…

Barrett raised an eyebrow.And celery is good for you.

Without breaking eye contact, he plucked up a piece himself and took a deliberate bite, chewing with exaggerated enthusiasm.

Your mom is going to eat all of her vegetables. And you have to, too.

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