Page 100 of The Doctor's Twins

I called Peyton after work and told her I was meeting my brother at the club for a drink. She was getting ready to work the night shift.

“Enjoy, my love,” she said. “I’ll see you later.”

“I’m proud of you, Pey.”

“Why? What did I do?”

“You’re the bravest woman I know.”

“Couldn't have done it without you, babe.”

Owen was waiting for me at the club when I arrived. He’d ordered me a beer.

“Well, if it isn’t the jet setter,” he smiled when I sat down. “I thought you said you were done with all this traipsing around the globe.”

“Oh, trust me, I am. Thanks for the beer.”

“Sure thing. So, what’s news?”

I was bursting to tell someone about what had happened. Rowan was in Europe, plus I didn’t want him to worry about me, so I guess that left my brother. I was nervous about telling him because I knew he’d crap all over me for not telling him beforehand. But I had to let it out, especially after Peyton and I agreed not to bring Mateo up in conversation again.

“I’m going to tell you something, Owen, but you have to swear to me that it will never leave this room. Okay?”

“Jeez, Ben. Sounds serious. Should I be concerned about you?” he asked me with a look of dread.

“No. No need to worry. It’s all good. Just promise me.”

“Fine. I promise. What’s going on?”

“I was on my way to Mexico when you called me.”

“Mexico? Why?”

“It’s a crazy story, Owen. You just couldn’t make this shit up if you tried.”

“Okay…”

“Remember I told you that Peyton’s ex knocked her around?”

“I remember.”

“Well, there’s much more to it than that, bro.”

“How much more?”

“A fully ladened pantechnicon more. But, before I tell you, I want you to know that Peyton is innocent in all of this. She’s the victim…was the victim.”

“Just tell me, Ben.”

“She was married until about a week and a half ago.”

“Married! You’re kidding.”

“Yeah, to a man that makes Vlad the Impaler look like a cub scout. I tell you, Owen, you’d be lucky if you never met a human being like this in ten lifetimes.”

“How did you find out about him?”

“Peyton told me. It’s a long story, but I followed her one night after work because she’d been so damn secretive about everything. I’m not proud of it, but I had to find out more about her.”

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