Page 113 of Secrets & Lies

Picking up a piece of bacon, I pointed it at him. “Wow, you went to a lot of trouble to get all that information,” I remarked dryly. “Too bad it’s not any of your business,” I said, biting into it savagely, hoping that I looked crazed. Maybe he’d back off.Why do they even care?

Nik’s brow furrowed, a flicker of exasperation crossing his features while Ivan remained quiet, too busy attacking the eggs on his plate. “Now I’m beginning to see why Alek is so frustrated,” he declared.

“What? Alisha can’t keep up with his demands?”

Ivan sniggered as he shook his head, motioning for the syrup. After handing it to him, I turned to Nik with a sweet smile. “Maybe he should expand his horizons, give Jenna a try. Either way, not my monkey, not my circus,” I said.

Wonderful, I sounded like a pathetic, lovesick girl.

Nik smirked and said, “Oh, baby girl, he has access to Jenna anytime. I’m an excellent sharer. I thought you knew that.”

I dropped my fork. He had to be joking. Ivan roared. After I’d gotten back, Sarah filled me in on why Jenna was so territorial. It was reduced down to one little word.Alisha. Her best friend, and I guess Alek’s sub, or so I’d thought, but now who knew. I stared at him, dumbfounded, trying to fathom how something like that worked.

How’s that for information? Happy now, stupid girl? Keep torturing yourself.

“Don’t look so incredulous. It’s a mutually beneficial thing.”

I choked on my tea, feeling embarrassed. I may not have vast knowledge of men, but sharing a woman? That wasn’t normal. The King brothers continued to confuse me, and I had no idea what to make of them.

With renewed vigor, I piled two more pancakes onto my plate and tried to gather my wits. “Sounds more like an invitation to every STD on record. I guess to each their own. You on board with that madness too?” I asked Ivan, ignoring the look Nik gave me.

“Nope. My blade is 100 percent dedicated to blondes. Like Sarah,” he quipped.

“Well, there’s this thing called hair dye. There’s still a chance for you to join your brothers on the highway to STD hell. You just need to make an appointment for Alisha and Jenna at the salon.”

“Nah, I’m good. Though, I wonder now that you’ve brought it up. Have you ever considered dyingyourhair blond?” He winked. The giant lug of a man had the audacity towinkat me. I was about to tell him to go to hell when Nik interrupted.

“You seem overly worried about STDs. Let me put your mind at ease. We’re extra careful in that department. Three-month checkups and protection are always used. Every time, so no need to worry your pretty little head.”

“Not worried in the least. Curious, though, how that protection works for oral? Is that why the three-month checkups?” I sneered.

“Alek will be touched that you’re so worried. I wonder how you know about Alisha?”

“I’m not worried,” I yelled, then realized how loud my voice was. I quietly added, “And Sarah, duh. Girls talk.”

I got up from the table and took my plate over to the sink. Taking several cleansing breaths, I focused on getting my emotions under control.

“There’s only two beds and a couch. Since you both are nine feet tall, you can have the beds.”

“That’s not necessary,” Nik insisted.

Feeling foolish for yelling, I turned on the water to start the dishes. A few minutes later, they each brought their plates over. I could feel their stares on my back.

Chapter 43

Kinsley

A Sitting Duck

“Look, I’m sorry about game night. I made a complete ass of myself, and it was childish. I never should have stayed in the first place. I overreacted and felt like a fool, so I came here to regroup.”

“What happened between you and Alek?” Ivan asked. His voice pierced through the air, hanging heavy with unspoken concern.

My jaw clenched, and a surge of irritation had me attacking the dishes like they were at fault. “Nothing I care to talk about or revisit.” I added the dishes to the dishwasher, trying to keep myself busy.

Nik couldn’t let it go, his voice portraying genuine worry. “So something did—”

“Look,” I interjected sharply, cutting him off. “I’ve answered your question sufficiently enough. I’ve told your brother and Dr. Marcel, so I’ll tell you the same. I don’t owe you an explanation.”

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