Page 86 of Shattered Secrets

Daisy shrugged her shoulders. “Mr. Jake has bigger arms than you.”

Jake hooted with laughter. “Daisy, my girl, IknewI was going to like you!”

Her smile was shy as she snuggled into Matt.

“I really am sorry we gave you a scare back there,” Carmen said from beside Scarlet.

“It’s okay. You know, I was just thinking—now that I’m looking at the two of them—I’m not sure how I thought Jake was Matt.”

“Well, still. I say you blame Matt for not telling you about the whole twin thing.”

“Yeah.” She chuckled, pressing a hand to her heart. “That would have been a useful nugget of info.”

“I know we just met, but here’s the thing, Scarlet. That man?” Carmen glanced at Matt. “You don’t ever have to worry about him straying from you. Especially since he’s so...” Carmen sighed, and Scarlet was taken aback by the tears swimming in the other woman’s eyes. “I haven’t seen him this relaxed, this happy, in years.”

Scarlet began to shake her head, but Carmen gently nudged her shoulder. “Trust me. I’ve known these two for decades, long before Jake and I got together. You’re good for Matt. And with everything he’s been through...”

“He’s good for me and Daisy, too.”

“Good,” Carmen said. After a delicate sniff, she shook her head and squared her shoulders. “Now, since we gave you a heart attack, let us treat you guys to dinner. Deal?”

Scarlet smiled. “Deal.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Five days later, Scarlet scanned the crowded bar area of Monty’s Tavern and smiled. Her stress levels were decidedly lower. After having dinner with Jake and Carmen on Friday night, they’d ended up spending the entire weekend with the couple, and it had been... surprisingly wonderful.

Jake and Carmen were awesome. She loved the way they looked out for Matt, and they were fun to be around. Plus, their interests sparked a million stories. Her jaw had dropped when she’d found out Jake was the creator of her favorite game on her phone, and she’d been inspired when Carmen had talked about the nonprofit she ran that provided clean drinking water to towns and villages in developing countries. Then, when Gavin had joined them for dinner on Saturday night and the guys had talked about these crazy superspy cameras Jake had developed, her mind had officially been blown.

In any other situation, Scarlet would have been ridiculously intimidated by the couple. After all, there was successful... and then there wasthem. But she wasn’t. Because it was Jake and Carmen. Matt’s family. And they’d immediately put both her and Daisy at ease with their warmth, humor, and obvious love for Matt.

Now, taking a sip of ice water, she glanced around the crowded room. Four had roped off the entire bar area for a “private party,” and Daisy, Rocco, and two other little kids had commandeered one corner. Xander and another one of Hudson Security’s PSOs stood nearby, watching. Not that anyone would be stupid enough to try anything tonight.

They were gathered for a mid-week surprise party to celebrate Cade and Poppy. The event’s theme was a combination of “Welcome Home” and “Congratulations,” and their friends from town, De La Rosa Gym, Hudson Security, and Hudson Tactical filled the space. Meaning the sheer number of straight-up badasses in the restaurant was a little ridiculous. Not to mention the amount of testosterone.

A sharp whistle cut through the din, and the crowd turned toward the entrance. Seconds later, everyone shouted “Surprise!” as the happy couple entered the bar.

Scarlet grinned at her dear friend. Glowing—Poppy was absolutely glowing with joy.

She patiently waited her turn as the couple hugged their way through the crowd. Then she pounced.

“Congratulations,” she said, hugging Poppy tight. “I’m so happy for you!”

“Thank you!” Poppy stepped back and wiped away a tear. “It was so fabulous.”

“You’ll have to tell us all about it. The trip, the food... All of it! But come on, girlfriend, how did he pop the question?”

Poppy’s grin widened, and fresh tears filled her eyes as she looked across the room at Cade. With a giant sigh, she said, “You guys.”

Scarlet was all smiles, as were the surrounding women.

“The morning after the big fights, we were obviously still in London. Cade ordered room service for the two of us. I was stillin bed when he brought the tray in. And... there it was. The ring was right next to the strawberry crepes.”

Clasping her hands to her chest, Scarlet let out a squeal. Then a strong arm draped across her chest, and Matt drew her against him, his lips pressed to the top of her head.

Poppy’s jaw fell open before she flashed them a grin. “You know, Matt, Cade said he took your advice on the whole proposal thing.”

“Is that so?”

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