Page 26 of His Revenge
Three dots appear,and then his reply flashes on-screen.
Of course,sweetheart.Is tonight soon enough?I’m in Denver, but should be home by 6 p.m.
I thumbs up his message,and then put my cell away with shaking hands.Something feels very wrong ...and only my man can solve the problem.
10
MINNIE
Ihear the front door close, and sure enough, Brad’s huge form strides into the kitchen moments later.He’s back from his work trip, and I’m glad, even if I’m on edge.Immediately, the gorgeous man presses a kiss to my lips before rubbing my back.
“What’s wrong?”he asks in a low voice.“Everything okay, sweetheart?”
I nod before gesturing at the spaghetti I’ve set out.
“I sent Hildy home early, but the food is still warm.You must be hungry.”
He grins and drops another kiss on my mouth before heading for the bedroom.
“Just let me take a quick shower and we’ll have dinner together,” he calls over one broad shoulder.My gorgeous stepfather disappears down the hall, and our bedroom suite is so far away that I don’t hear the shower come on.But I can imagine the hot spray pounding onto his muscled body, and within minutes, Brad reappears, still toweling his dark hair while wearing nothing but grey sweatpants draped over his hips.Damn, my man looks good.He’s older, but works out like a fiend, and his six pack is prominent.Not only that, but his chest is wide, shoulders broad, and he has a deep v-cut at his hips, leading down to the waistband of his sweats.
“See something you like?”he growls with a grin before giving me another kiss.Then, Brad sits down and attacks the spaghetti.“Damn, this is delicious.I’ll need to give Hildy a raise.”But he pauses mid-bite and looks at me.“You okay, honey?Why aren’t you eating tonight?Did you already eat?”
I pause, my cheeks slightly flushed.Here, in the privacy of our kitchen, I feel so safe.Being with Brad is comforting, and I know it’s his large presence that provides the reassuring calm.But I need to look out for him the way he looks out for me, and take a deep breath.
“It’s about my mom,” I say in a low tone.“I talked to Joelle today.”
One black brow raises.
“Oh really?”he asks.“When?”
“This morning,” I say.“She called.”
Brad nods, putting his fork down.
“And?”
Dread fills me.
“She was in a good mood,” I say, my heart heavy.“And Brad, it’s because she had some news.She didn’t tell me exactly, but she said that she has information that’s going to destroy the pre-nup you guys signed.She was practically chortling about it and rubbing her hands with glee.”I turn to him with panic in my eyes.“What could it be?”I ask, my voice rising with hysteria.“It sounds awful, and she and her boyfriend were practically celebrating, like they’d hit the jackpot.”
Brad nods slowly before taking my hand.
“It’s okay, Minnie,” he says in a low tone.“You know that you’re the most important person in the world to me.”
I nod but still, panic is surging through my veins and hot tears begin to form on my lashes.
“Yes, but I think something terrible is about to happen,” I sniffle, dashing one hand at my cheeks.“When’s your next court date?I just want you to be prepared, and maybe we should reach out to your divorce lawyer and let him know—”
Brad squeezes my hand, his blue eyes steady.
“Sweetheart, the divorce is over,” he says in a low voice.“It was settled today.”
I blink.
“Wait, what?You weren’t in Denver?”
“I was in Denver,” he replies.“But we settled out of court.My attorney made an offer to Joelle’s attorney, and she accepted.We’re completely done.”
