Page 86 of Break

“Did… did you just call me ugly?” I fake being mad and smack his arm. “Rude.”

Kerrington chuckles, allowing me the small distraction with my terrible attempt at humor. It’s enough to let me catch my breath.

“I’m so sorry for everything,” I whisper.

He wipes the tear from my cheek with his thumb. “You don’t ever have to apologize to us, Duchess. So long as you’re being authentic and true, never say sorry for that to anyone.”

I’ve wrestled with my upbringing for as long as I can remember. Yes, it’s nice to be stupid rich, but it’s not without a major cost. Sometimes I don’t think the money is worth it. Not when my personal life is being scrutinized. Not when I’m constantly being judged for what I say, do, wear, eat, where I shop and work, or who I love.

“I love you both so much.” Swiping the tears from my face, my fortress builds back up.

“And we love you.” Kerrington kisses my head and holds me tighter. “Which means we’ll do anything for you, baby. Anything.”

“Let us help you,” Landon urges again. “Please.”

It’s the crack in Landon’s voice, and the protectiveness trembling in Kerrington’s arms, that breaks my walls down and I finally give in.

Chapter 26

Kerrington

She gave us a name. Neither one of us pounced into action immediately, like I’m sure she assumed we would. Nah. That motherfucker can wait a little longer. We’re going to give our girl all the comfort and attention she craves for however long she wants it today.

Landon’s currently loving life, with our Duchess in his lap, and they’re online shopping.

I’m in the shower, hoping the icy water will cool my burning anger.

Newsflash: It doesn’t.

Funny, it’s usually Landon who loses his temper and I’m normally the calm one in bad situations. But knowing there’s some lowlife, piece of shit, cocksucker out there threatening our girl, in any capacity, has me seeing red.

So yeah, I looked up the name she gave me and already have his address, social security number, workplace, as well as license plate and fucking credit card numbers.

I’d love to take the highroad and destroy hislife from the inside out, but that’s not punishment enough. He needs a lesson in manners. In person.

Drying off, I can’t keep my thoughts straight. How do other people distract themselves from their problems? When I have an issue, it’s all I obsess over until it’s solved.

So, I dry off and get dressed and join my little family with a fake ass smile on my face and pretend I’m not plotting murder.

Landon looks over at me first, reading my body language like a book, and tenses. “You good?”

“Never better.”

He knows I’m lying, and I don’t give a fuck. I want Nicole out of New York for good. I want her with us forever. And if she’s going to keep her role in the Greystone business and go work overseas, then I guess we’re all packing up and moving.

“Do you really want to move to Japan?”

Nicole’s brow lifts to her hairline. “Why?”

“Because if so, I need to work on getting us visas.”

The relief on Landon’s face tells me he’s been thinking the same thing. “I meant what I said, Nicole. You’re not leaving us again.”

Do I sound like a possessive prick? Probably. Do I give a fuck? No.

“You’d move to Japan with me?”

“We’d move to Mars with you,” Landon answers for us both. He’s not wrong.

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