Page 52 of The Doctor's Twins

“What the fuck! So, why doesn’t he just have a vasectomy? That’s the logical thing to do. Surely.”

“Who the hell knows what goes on in the mind of a narcissistic psychopath? All I know is that I have to stay as far away from that man as humanly possible.”

“Have you told your family?”

“No. I was afraid to. But I think it’s time they knew. I’ll tell them tomorrow. I’m going to need your help in keeping my father calm, Lyss. If Dad goes after Mateo, he will die. Of that, I’m one thousand percent sure.”

“Why didn’t you go to the police? Surely, the bodies are the proverbial smoking gun.”

“Yeah. Unless the police chief is your bestie.”

“What a fucking mess.”

“No shit.”

15

BEN

Peyton was back from her holiday. She hadn’t told me much about where she was going before she left. To be fair, I supposed it was none of my business, really. But she was back, and I felt a whole lot more relaxed. I had an inexplicable knot in my stomach while she was away. I was convinced that the unease had a lot to do with the fact that I knew very little about her past.

My fear was that the woman over whom I’d become so protective would encounter the man who had abused her. Not that I was afraid she’d do something crazy like go back to him. No, I had a feeling Peyton had learned her lesson where he was concerned. I was worried because I knew that abusers weren’t likely to let go of their prey without a fight.

“Wanna go fishing?” I called and asked her early one morning when I knew she wasn’t working.

“Fishing? Really?”

“Uh-huh. It sounds nerdish, I know. But, once the fishing bug has bitten, it’s hard to resist.”

“Uhm…okay. I’ll give it a shot.”

“Great. I’ll fetch you in an hour.”

“What do I wear?”

“Something comfy. I’ll gear you up.”

“Ooh, pimp my fishing buddy,” she giggled.

“You’re going to be a pro by the time I’m done with you.”

“Speaking of ‘pro’, I’m ready for a proper karate lesson when you are.”

“Oh, yeah. I owe you one, don’t I?”

“A lesson. Yes.”

“It’s not my fault, you know. You started it.”

“What?” she laughed. “How did I start it?”

“You were all sexy and totally doable in that dojo mat,” I chuckled.

“Okay, let’s call it a tie. See you in an hour.”

The mere thought of Peyton, naked and moaning in my arms, got me hot. I quickly put the image out of my mind and packed the fishing gear into my car. I made a few calls to patients before I drove over to pick up my new fishing buddy.

“I hope this is okay,” Peyton said and pointed to her outfit.

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