Page 25 of Anger

“No, but get a steak out for Ranson and Dale. Dale must be out at the moment, but he’ll be back soon,” Lanie replied and was surprised at McIntyre’s scowl.

“Are you jealous?” she teased.

“I don’t do games, Lanie. I am interested in you, but I won’t allow anyone to play me off against another man. You either want him or me. You can’t have both,” McIntyre said as he grabbed two more steaks.

“Is that what you think I do?” Lanie asked, aghast.

“Honestly? No. But I’m confused. Dale’s living here, but you’ve barely been kissed. Does he not like kissing?” McIntyre inquired.

“Ew! That’s my brother!” Lanie exclaimed and clapped a hand over her mouth. She hadn’t meant to say that.

“What?” McIntyre demanded, spinning to face her.

“You can’t tell anyone!” Lanie babbled.

“I won’t, but your brother?”

“It’s a secret. Our mum had an affair, and Dale’s my older brother,” Lanie said without thinking.

“So, your father is the man she had an affair with?” McIntyre asked.

“Yes. But she told her husband I was his,” Lanie continued.

“Husband? You didn’t call him dad?”

“Let’s change the subject, please. And Ranson can’t know,” Lanie insisted.

“That’s my cousin and my boss,” McIntyre stated.

“And my private life. What importance are my parents to him?”

“They could be behind this current threat,” McIntyre said.

“Doubtful, they’re dead,” Lanie replied, scrabbling.

‘Dale!’ she shrieked in her mind at him.

‘Yes?’

‘If my security team asks, we are siblings whose mother had an affair with another man, and I was the result.’

‘What the hell?’

‘Don’t ask!’

‘Okay.’Dale sounded amused.

“Lanie?” McIntyre said, interrupting her thoughts.

“Sorry?” she replied, looking at him.

“I asked if you like salad and jacket potatoes with your steak?”

“Yeah, that’s perfect. You cook?” Lanie asked, somewhat surprised.

“Yup. If I wanted to eat nice things, then I learned to cook them,” McIntyre answered.

“Do you prefer Joe or McIntyre?” Lanie inquired.

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