Page 95 of Entangled with a Mountain Man

I crumble to the ground and my last thought before consciousness slips away is of Everett. Of the girls. Of the life I might never get to live.

Then, nothing.

21

NOT A DRILL

EVERETT

I stride into Millie's Diner, my mind already on the mountain of work waiting for me back at the office. The usual chatter dies down as I enter, replaced by hushed whispers and sidelong glances. Nothing new there. I'm used to being the topic of town gossip since I kissed Kenzie and moved her into my place.

That was almost five months ago. You'd think they'd move on to something better.

I scan the room for Axton, but he's not here yet. Typical. The man's never on time for anything that doesn't involve explosives or heavy artillery.

Betty approaches, coffee pot in hand. "The usual, Everett?"

I nod, not bothering with pleasantries. As she pours, I notice her hand trembling slightly.

Odd.

The bell above the door chimes and Axton bursts in. One look at his face, and I'm on high alert. His jaw clenched tight, eyes blazing with barely contained rage.

"We need to talk," he growls, low enough for only me to hear. "Now."

I'm on my feet in an instant, following him outside. The cool air hits me, but it does nothing to ease the tension radiating off Axton in waves.

"What's going on?"

"It's about Kenzie."

My stomach drops. "What about her?"

He hesitates, and that split second feels like an eternity. "Word is…she's pregnant. With Ian's kid."

I can't breathe, can't think. Because it all comes crashing back—the pain, the betrayal, the lies.

Jillian's face flashes before my eyes. Her words echo in my ears: "I'm pregnant, Everett. But it's not yours."

No. Not again.

I won't let history repeat itself.

I'm moving before I realize it, long strides eating up the distance to my truck. Axton's right behind me, barely making it into the passenger seat before I peel out of the parking lot.

"Where are we going?" he asks, gripping the dashboard as I take a turn too fast.

"Peterson’s Ranch," I grit out. "Kenzie's been spending time there. Maybe they know something."

The drive's a blur. My knuckles are white on the steering wheel as I push the truck to its limits. Memories overwhelm my ability to think straight.

Jillian's confession. The gut-wrenching pain of knowing my wife had been fucking another man. The sleepless nights wondering how I'd raise the twins alone.

I can't go through that again. I won't.

Kenzie wouldn't do that to me.

But a small voice in the back of my mind whispers: What if it's true? What if Kenzie's been lying this whole time?

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