Page 44 of Shades of You

Ben’s gaze landed on me briefly before he continued his search. “Just wanted to stop by.”

A frown drew my lips down. He was too busy to stop by without reason. “Need help finding a book?” I asked with an arched brow.

He didn’t smile at my pointed joke. “Hardly. Brenna, I’ve heard a rumor. I came by to see if it was true.”

“And what would that be?” I had a suspicion of what he was about to say, and my heart began a steady drumbeat of nerves.

“That you’re involved with Hunter Markham. They even said you’ve moved in with him.” His big-brother concern etched lines into his forehead. Ben had always been protective, and it looked like he was preparing himself to step into that role again.

I stalled as I gathered my thoughts. Now that the inevitable moment was here, I found myself wanting to deflect the confrontation. “The thing with Knox got a bit messy, and Hunter offered his place as a safe haven. Only for a few days. It’s all settled now, and I’m back home.”

Ben narrowed his eyes. “Just like that?”

I sighed, bracing for impact. “We aren’t living together, Ben. But we are… romantically involved.”

“Dammit,” he said heavily, lacing his fingers on top of his head. “That’s what I was afraid of.”

Anger lanced through me. “Why, exactly? Because he’s a Markham?”

Dropping his arms, he crossed the floor toward me and leaned against a bookcase. “That’s part of it, sure. I remember that you two were friends a long time ago. But, Brenna, a lot of stories are floating around about that guy. I’ve heard people say he used to be a hired mercenary, even worked as a contract man in Miami.”

I scoffed and rolled my eyes. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Is it?” He arched an eyebrow, his eyes not leaving mine. “How much do you know about him? Hunter’s got a lot of history that no one knows the details of. History that might come back to haunt him. I’m more concerned about it affecting anyone close to him.”

“I know plenty, Ben,” I said quietly. “And I’m old enough to choose who I’m involved with.” Images flashed through my mind of that tortured confession of Ayesha and her two children. Were those the actions of some soulless killer? Next, my brain tried to remind me about how Hunter had all but admitted he’d gone berserk in the aftermath. I tried to push that line of thought aside, but my inner voice got in one final shot.

Are you pushing it away because you’re afraid of what he’s capable of? Or that he’d had such a deep connection to that Afghani woman?

I firmly took hold of my thoughts and told them to shut the hell up. Then I spread my arms wide. “Look, we just got together, okay? Please don’t spread this around the family. If Hunter and I work out, they’ll find out soon enough.”

“I’m sure they will,” he said. “I’m not the only one with friends, you know. But I’ll keep your little affair to myself for now.”

“Thank you.”

I tried to put some steel in my spine and was determinedto deny the fluttering in my stomach. I was the one hell-bent on ending the century-plus feud. Except that now the reality of my family’s reaction to Hunter was more unsettling than when it had been a purely theoretical concept. I’d just gotten out of a lousy relationship, but was I only making the same mistake again? Hunter was certainly a complicated man, but I knew the heart that beat inside him.

Didn’t I?

Ben stepped closer to hug me. “I need to get going. Call me if that guy needs an ass kicking. I’d have been happy to step in and pummel your last boyfriend, you know. Speak up if you need help, Brenna.”

A smile broke across my face as I enjoyed being in the familiar and slightly sweaty embrace of my big brother. And at how Ben was always willing to stand up for me. “I know. And I know I have a tendency to be a little too independent.”

After he stepped out into the warm afternoon, I shook off my unease and turned back to prepping for the book club meeting. I needed to leave soon, and the distraction would be welcome.

The monthly meetingsof our Sips and Pages club were held in the residential district of Dove Key. A quaint bungalow with a white picket fence was the venue of our undeclared leader and usual host, though I toyed with the idea of starting my own club at the shop. Liv and April, with their infectious smiles, greeted me warmly as I joined them and set my box of next month’s novels next to the couch. The air was filled with anticipation as Livand I poured ourselves a glass of crisp white wine and April grabbed a bottle of water.

April’s radiant smile reached her eyes, making them twinkle as she settled comfortably on the couch between Liv and me. A broad smile rose on my face at the shirt stretching across her broad abdomen. “You look beautiful, April. Seems like the pregnancy is progressing well.”

A rosy hue spread across her cheeks. “Thank you. I’m hanging in there, and I’m actually looking forward to the birth just so I won’t be pregnant anymore! We’re so excited for this little one to arrive.”

Liv’s eyes danced as she leaned forward from April’s other side and studied her friend. “You’re positively glowing! Motherhood suits you.”

And in that moment, all thoughts of Hunter and his possible past life faded away. We were just three friends, sharing in each other’s joys.

“Have you and Evan set a date yet?” I asked Liv, glancing at the diamond ring on her finger.

Liv laughed and shook her head. “Not yet. I’m getting Sweet Dreams Mini off the ground at the resort, so it’s been a challenge finding a date. And Evan is really serious about playing for the Stingrays—I don’t want to distract him. Him playing baseball again is a huge step.” She shrugged both shoulders. “We’re not in any rush.”

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