Page 23 of Bren

“Together, brother,” I agree, pushing my chair back and standing up. “Come on, I’ll buy you a beer.”

Draco laughs and gets up from his seat to follow me into the main room. The atmosphere is a little subdued as what we’d just been told plays on everyone’s minds. We’d all been here before, and this was the hardest part—the preparing for what was coming and the waiting for something to happen.

I had faith we’d get through it, though.

Chapter 12

BREN

Church had been fraught with tension; I didn’t stay long afterwards. With everything that had happened today, I need some time to unwind and process. The tension headache I’d been sporting ever since the meeting this morning was slowly getting worse. I want to settle Lexi, have a bath, and sleep.

Aside from the new drama and danger, I need time to process what was happening between Alec and me. It would be so easy to give in and follow my heart, which I could admit had always belonged to him and probably always would. My heart might know what it wanted, but my head was still struggling with the trust aspect of being in a relationship with him.

Saying goodnight to my family, I search the open bar area for him. Seeing him talking and laughing with Sam and Ben eases something in me. I’d felt guilty at the friction between him and Sam, but in a way, it had been good for Sam too. He’d grown and matured in the last year. One thing for sure is that having your heart broken certainly made you take stock and make changes to your life. I walk over to them so that I can let Alec know I’m leaving. I’d promised to start making changes and this was one of them, letting him know where his daughter was.

As if he could feel me approach, Alec’s gaze met mine, his brow wrinkled slightly, and I wonder what he was frowning about. He straightens from where he’d been leaning against the bar.“You’ve got a headache,” he states as soon as I’m within hearing distance.

My eyes widen with surprise, wondering how he’d known. “I do,” I agree.

Setting his beer on the bar, he reaches for Lexi and takes her from me, cradling her against his chest. He wraps his free hand around my neck, massaging the tense muscles. “Come on, let’s go home. You can have a bath, and I’ll sort Lexi out. If there’s enough milk, I’ll get up with her tonight.”

Biting back the moan that wants to break free as his hand moves to the tense muscles in my shoulder, I let my forehead fall against his chest as I relax against him, “That feels good.”

There’s a light touch on the crown of my head. His hand drops from my neck and wraps around my waist, nudging me he orders, “Come on, babe, let’s go.”

Tilting my head back so that I can see his face, I tell him, “You can stay if you want.”

“Nah, I’m good. I’m ready to leave.”

Pushing away from him, a yawn catches me by surprise, making my brothers and Alec laugh. “Sorry,” I mutter, waving at my brothers, “Night guys.”

“Night, Bren.”

Turning, together we walk out of the clubhouse. Not saying anything to each other, but the silence isn’t uncomfortable. When we get to our wing, Alec pushes me towards the bathroom with the large corner bath, “Go take a bath, Bren. I’ll sort Lexi. Do you need anything?”

Shaking my head, I reply, “No, I’m good.” Standing on tiptoe, I kiss Lexi’s cheek before walking to my room to get my pyjamas. Before long, I’m sinking into hot water and sighing happily astension slowly leaches from my body. I hadn’t realised just how tense I’d been until this minute. I’d left the door cracked open so I could hear if Alec called for me. It was comforting to hear him murmuring to Lexi as he changed her and got her ready for bed. Closing my eyes, I let the stress of the day melt away. It seemed like I’d just closed my eyes when there was a knock on the door of the bathroom, and Alec was calling my name.

“Bren, are you okay?” he asks, concern in his tone.

It’s then that I realise the water is cold. “I’m fine,” I assure him. “I must have fallen asleep; I’ll be out shortly.”

“Let me know when you’re out so I don’t worry you’ve drowned,” he instructs.

Laughing, I reply, “I’ll let you know.”

Finishing my now cold bath, I get out and get dressed in one of my many silk pyjama sets. I love them; they always feel so good against my skin.

Letting the water out of the bath, I gather my things for the walk back to my room. I’m not even out the door when I stop; sitting propped up against the hallway wall is Alec, eyes closed.

“What are you doing?”

His eyes pop open, “Waiting for you. I was worried you’d fall asleep again.”

“Instead, you fell asleep,” I snigger; it was a little funny. Alec smiles a sheepish smile, rubbing a hand over the back of his neck like he did when he was worried or embarrassed.

“Yeah, I did. Wouldn’t have been much help, would I?” he mutters sheepishly.

Still laughing, I walk past him to my bedroom, smiling when he mumbles, “Killing me with those pyjamas.”

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