Page 42 of On a Fault Line

“Oh, yeah,” Angie says sarcastically. “They’ll never figure out we are there.”

We head out into the main living area and find the men gathered around the island, deep in conversation. They catch our movement and stop talking, but I make out enough words to know that they were talking about the cafe incident from this morning. If only I could have eavesdropped sooner. Spying might be my only way of getting any information from these men.

Graham and Nic narrow their eyes as Angie and Claire make a beeline for the exit.

“What has you all in a hurry?” Graham asks, catching up with Angie.

“Are you ready to go back home, baby?” Nic asks Claire.

She struggles to slip on her shoes. “I’m not going anywhere if I can’t get my shoes on. Pretty soon I’ll need to wear pontoon boats on my feet because of the swelling.”

We all laugh. She really is the funniest pregnant person I’ve ever met.

Nic kneels down on the ground and assists her in her time of need. “Where are you really going, Baby Girl?”

“We are going out. Girls shopping trip,” she informs him.

“Now?” Graham asks. He looks blindsided, and I imagine this can’t be the first time. These girls are so impulsive—and fun.

I stay back and silent, not wanting to get involved in this intensity.

“Yes, now,” Claire presses. “We are on a mission and want to be spontaneous and all that jazz. It’s time you let your exotic birds out of our gilded cages to go see the world.”

Ironically, I got let out of my cage today and it only brought me heartache. I want to go back inside the safety of the bars.

“We will stay together, and nothing will happen to us in broad daylight,” Angie says with a pout. “If it makes you feel better, I can bring some mace.”

“No, that won’t fucking make me feel better,” Graham snaps.

“I have an important meeting in about thirty minutes, and there’s no way in hell I’m allowing my pregnant fiancée to be wandering the streets without protection. Can’t you ladies go shopping from your phones? Buy whatever you want, and I’ll pay for it.”

Claire gives her man a look. “That sounds as boring as you’ve become.”

Graham leans down and whispers something into Angie’s ear, making her smack his arm. “I have that meeting to attend as well. Collins, can you escort them around on their adventure?”

“No offense, Collins, but we don’t need a babysitter,” Claire says, glaring up at Nic.

I think my brother is going to hit the wall or toss Claire over his shoulder and lock her away from the world for the day. I know Claire and Nic play with fire on the daily, but watching this as a front-row witness is causing me anxiety—especially when I can see both perspectives.

“I’ll accompany them,” Collins says smoothly.

Of course he will. Because if I’m going, then it makes sense that my secret bodyguard—the one I’m not supposed to know is actually guarding me—tags along as well.

Do my brothers really think I couldn’t put the pieces of this three-piece puzzle together?

“You ladies behave yourself,” Graham says with a directness to his tone.

“Always,” Angie says.

Claire smirks. “Never.”

I bite my bottom lip to keep from losing it. Something tells me that today’s shopping trip will be anything but ordinary.

We enter the elevator, and I notice that Claire can’t remove the smirk from her face, not that she appears to be trying.

“What has you so happy?” Angie asks, nudging her with her elbow.

“I love driving that man of mine crazy. Later, he’ll give me the best sex of my?—”

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