Page 22 of Kiss of Smoke

“Is that what he told you?” I demanded, my blood heating. “Did he mention I caught him kissing his co-worker in the airport?”

There was a pause, and I could almost hear her pressing her lips together.

“Josh has worked hard to get where he is, Chloe.”

“What’s that got to do with anything?”

“He has a reputation to protect. He can’t have a wife involved with people who flaunt an alternative lifestyle.” She made a dismissive sound and added, “Or whatever they’re calling it now.”

My anger flared, and for the first time I understood what people meant when they talked about being so furious their blood boiled. Gripping the phone, I spoke in a low, trembling voice. “It’s none of your business what people do, Mom. You and Dad divorced before I turned two, and then you ran through three more husbands. You’re in no position to judge anyone’s relationship.”

The line went quiet.

“Mom?”

“Chloe Ann Drexel, I never thought I would say this, but I am ashamed to be your mother in this moment.”

I froze. When my mother got angry, she didn’t yell. Instead, she became eerily calm. Over the years, I’d learned to recognize the tone that signaled she was ready to say something truly awful.

After another tense silence, it came. “Return home immediately and maybe you can work things out with Josh. He said he’s willing to listen. But if you stay in Scotland with those faggots, I don’t think he’ll have anything more to say to you. And neither will I.”

“Mom—”

“Chloe, you either come home now, or you’re no longer part of this family.”

The call ended.

For a second, I just stood there, my whole body numb. Somewhere in my mind, I knew I should be shocked. Except I wasn’t, and maybe it was because I’d always known my mother was capable of such casual bigotry. But Josh?

No, he didn’t care about Alec and Lachlan. Hell, he pushed me to go to Scotland. Obviously, he’d wanted me gone so he could be with Clarissa, but he wouldn’t have encouraged me if he had an issue. He was just using my trip as a reason to excuse his disgusting behavior. He’d obviously sensed my mother’s feelings and decided to capitalize on them.

God, he was such an asshole.

Misery rose hot and thick, then settled over me like a lead weight. Slowly, I faced Alec, who stood in the same spot with his arms folded lightly over his broad chest. “How much did you hear?”

His smile was wry. “Your mother has strong opinions.”

“Please know I don’t share them.”

“I do ken that, sweetheart.”

There was no anger or condemnation on his face. He didn’t seem the least bit ruffled by my mother’s insult, even though he had every right to be.

“I’m so sorry for everything that’s happened,” I said. “The airport yesterday…and now this.”

He came to me and clasped my shoulders in a light grip. “You didn’t cause any of it, Chloe. It’s not your fault people you trusted betrayed that trust.”

I shook my head as bitterness welled inside me. “Honestly, the hardest part is realizing what a fool I was to think Josh was a good person, let alone someone I should marry. Or maybe I was just willfully blind. He’s changed a lot since he started practicing law. I mean, he was always ambitious. He wanted the big firm lifestyle and the prestige that comes with it.” I gave a humorless laugh. “An executive assistant for a wife isn’t very prestigious.”

“Hey now.” Alec curled a finger under my chin. “Your job is important, and you’re bloody brilliant at it. Lach and I are tough to work for. We may look civilized on the outside, but we’re rough, unruly beasts underneath. It takes a lot to keep us in line. You’re exactly the drill sergeant we need.”

I smiled, because sometimes it did take a bit of bossing to keep the two of them on schedule. “You’re not tough to work for.”

“You’re right, o’ course.” His eyes twinkled, and his face split in a grin. “I’m easy. Lachlan’s the pain in the arse.”

His air of mischief was so infectious, the heavy feeling lifted, and I felt my smile grow as my body relaxed.

We stood like that for a moment, the gallery quiet and still around us. Sunlight puddled at our feet and warmed my skin. His fingers under my chin were warmer.

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