Hard Fought (A Stepbrother Warriors Novel)(53)

"Well, maybe after some time has passed, it wouldn't cause such a scandal," she admits, her cheeks bright pink.

"He's crazy about you, you know."

"I know," she says with a grin. "Hey, have I told you my novel's almost finished?"

"No, that's great!"

She nods. "Lots of nights sitting out on my balcony, writing. I have a great view of the ocean, the backyard...the boat house. It's amazing what you can see...so many late night comings and goings..." she says with a mischievous smile.

"You knew this whole time?" I gasp.

"Well, I knew a little. Just about a couple late night meetings. None lately, as far as I can tell," she adds probingly.

I sigh. "It got a little complicated. He got distant, and I started seeing someone else...hopefully now...maybe..." I trail off. "Everything's going to be so different now, isn't it?" I realize.

"Yes. But maybe it will be better. We're friends, even if we won't be sisters, right?"

"I hope that's a promise," I reply, grasping her hand a little tighter.

"Oh, and Jack's on his way," she adds. "He was in practice, but I called the front office and asked them to let him know."

"I'm fine, he doesn't have to—"

"Don't be silly," Bree interrupts. "How do you think Carter will react, when he finds out about...us?"

I giggle. "Honestly? He's going to—"

"What's so funny?" Carter asks, reentering and looking between us suspiciously. "Why do I always feel like you two are talking about me?"

"Because we are," Bree replies.

"Alexa, my mom's outside," Carter says, turning to me. "She wasn't sure you'd want to see her."

"Of course, tell her to come in."

Carter sticks his head back outside, and a moment later, Anne walks tentatively with him into the room. Her lips begin to wobble as she sees me, and her eyes threaten to spill over with tears.

"Do I really look that bad?" I joke.

"No! I mean, well...a little," she gushes, then rushes over to my bedside. "Oh, Alexa, I'm so sorry I didn't believe you."

"It's OK. He has lots of people fooled," I reply.

"I went and saw him in his office. He's ending Burke's shipments to Mexico entirely, and paying both cartels enough money to satisfy them."

"Wow, you got him to do that?"

"I threatened to go to the press." I look at her strained, beautiful face, and find I feel no anger towards her.

"For the record, I think he did love you. I don't think he would have conceded to anyone else's demands," I tell her.

A tear slips down her cheek and she hurriedly wipes it away. "Well, it doesn't matter now," she murmurs, then glances down my body. "They have you all stitched up?"

"It's mostly just scrapes and bruises. Only the shoulder needed stitches," I tell her. "Luckily, the bullet only knicked my skin—"

"Bullet!?" Anne's eyes widen. "He shot you?"

"That fucker shot you?" Jack exclaims, barreling into the room. He's covered in sweat, has a smear of dirt across his forehead, and smells like a locker room.

"Only a little," I reply. Jack begins to pace back and forth across the room.

"Look, my mind was racing all the way over here," he says. "And here's what I'm thinking. Clearly, we can't stay at the house anymore. And you guys need to get out of there, too. I've got this small apartment that I only use...infrequently...so Alexa, you can stay there. Carter, maybe it would be best if you stay in the second bedroom to keep an eye on her. And Anne, you can move in to my apartment with us."

"Who's 'us'?" Carter pipes up.

"Jack, sweetie, slow down," Anne says. "I'm confused. Who do you live with?"

"No one, now," Jack stammers, as I bite my lip to keep from laughing. "I mean, my housekeeper. That's who I was talking about."

I can't help it. A giggle escapes from between my lips, and then it's too late to stop it. Before I know it tears are streaming down my face as I laugh and I have to pull my hospital gown up to hide my face.

"Alexa, are you alright?" I feel Anne's hand on my leg. "She's hysterical. Maybe we should get the nurse."

"No, no, I'm fine," I gasp. "Sorry, it just struck me funny, is all. How things that seem like a really big deal suddenly aren't anymore, after something like this happens," I say, indicating my cuts and bruises. "Getting kidnapped really puts things into perspective."

"Maybe she's right," Bree pipes up, though I can hear nerves under her voice.

"Bree..." Jack says from across the room.