Page 43 of Cruel Secrets

“If I’m there, at least I would know who’s paying attention.” Aiden’s voice grows louder as the shouting in the background becomes shriller. “Jesus fucking Christ! They never stop. It’s enough to make me want to ram goddamn pens into my ears. I doubt I could hear this fucking shit if I was bleeding out from punctured eardrums.”

“You know, punctured eardrums might improve your chances at sleeping with someone other than hookers.”

“Fuck you. I don’t go near those walking petri dishes.” Aiden let out a hiss as someone shrieked. “If the two of you don’t shut the fuck up, I’m going to cut your damn tongues out and hang them on the fucking Christmas tree!”

“Shut the fuck up!” Summer screeches in the background.

I don’t know what he did to piss Summer and Jade off, but it sounds like they’re not going to let him live it down.

Getting to my feet, I head to the door and shut it, not wanting Gia to overhear.

I still don’t know if I can trust her.

As I drop back down into my chair, the shouting on the other line goes quiet.

Chuckling, I twist and look out the window. “If you would let the pair of them have their own lives, they would leave you alone.”

“Talk to me after negotiations are done, then we can take another look at what their lives are going to look like.” Aiden sighs and something slams shut. “I’m going to pick up Sean now, and then all of us will be on our way.”

“Do not bring the entire family here.”

The call ends without so much as a goodbye from him.

“Fuck.” I toss the phone onto the desk, leaning back in the chair and running my hands down my face.

In three hours, my entire family could be here. They could be shoving themselves into the house, causing chaos, and then realizing that I’ve had a child with the woman I’m supposed to be holding hostage.

They would all start to question whether or not they could trust me.

I could run with them now. Call Aiden back and tell him that the safe house has been compromised. That we had to leave and I’ll call him when we get elsewhere.

It would be enough to buy me half a day at most, but even that half a day won’t be enough to keep my life from imploding.

My chest tightens as I stand, heading into the kitchen.

Gia glances up from the roasted carrots she’s busy feeding Bianca. “Everything alright?”

It all seems so mundane. Like her brother isn’t trying to hunt us down and take her back. Like I don’t have to look over my shoulder constantly for my own brother.

“Nope. My family is coming and the two of you need to make yourself scarce.” I yank open the fridge, reaching for a beer and cracking the top off, even though it’s barely noon.

Her gaze cuts to the beer. “Are they really that bad?”

“I have Aiden and four sisters. Plus, Ellie is married, and her husband is a great guy, but he’s a pain in the ass too.”

“Sean Andino, right?” Gia spoons another mouthful of carrots into Bianca’s mouth, catching the orange goo that dribbles down her chin. “I heard that he and your sister got married. Noah was furious about it for weeks.”

“I know. Your brother kidnapped and branded them both.” I can’t keep the bitter note out of my voice. Noah never should’ve been able to get that close to him.

When he finally catches up to us—and I’m sure that he will—I’m going to kill him.

Her mouth drops open, eyes widening and glistening with tears. “I didn’t know about that.”

“Yeah, well, I would suggest not bringing it up if you do see any of them. Sean doesn’t take to it being mentioned too kindly.”

I take the beer and head outside, needing as much time as possible to prepare myself for the rest of the Lyndes.

* * *

---