Page 24 of Vengeful Reign

“Either way, I only met your brother when she brought him to the school I work at,” I inform him.

“How did you know her?” he asks.

“We used to be neighbors when I was a kid.”

His brows raise. “That’s peculiar.”

“I thought so too.” His phone rings, and then he excuses himself. I take the time to check on John, who fidgets in his sleep. I should prepare his breakfast because it won’t be much longer and then he’ll be up. So, I head into the living room area and see that it’s neatly cleaned up, causing me to gasp.

“I thought you could use a hand.” He’s removed his jacket, and now he rolls up his sleeves. My eyes move directly to his strong, corded biceps. Embarrassed, I quickly lift my gaze back to his.

“Does John still eat pancakes for breakfast?”

“Yes.” My heart and head can’t make sense of what’s happening, but I just go with it because frankly I don’t have a choice. My home has been invaded by four large men, and one of them makes me want to strip completely naked the second he looks at me. When he puts his hands on me, I’m practically melting in his arms, which is crazy because each time has been in anger. I’ve spent my life hating men like him, revolted by their actions, and yet the moment he looks into my eyes, I ache for more.

He sticks out his hand, waiting for me to take it. I do, and he leads me into the kitchen. “Well, I’ll get them started. Would you like some coffee and a real breakfast for yourself?” I want to say no, but my stomach answers for me, gurgling like the bad pipes in this hundred-year-old home.

I let go of his warm and strangely safe touch and pull out the pre-mixed batter from the fridge. “You already have some ready?”

“There are a few things that I can count on. If there are things I can do to make my life easier, I do it.”

“I’m not judging; I’m just curious. That’s pretty damn smart.” He watches me as I move around.

Jack whips out his phone and calls someone. “Giles, pick up a hearty breakfast for six, please. Yes, the address you gave me yesterday.” He ends the call, giving me a smile.

Pressing my hands on the kitchen sink, I ask my handsome intruder, “So how did you find me?”

“By chance, actually. An associate of mine happened to be strolling about when he saw you with John and recognized him and his behavior. He wondered if it was him and sent me a photo.”

“Wow. The first time I take him out in public, and we were spotted.”

“Quite serendipitous,” he says. He takes the spatula from me and then pulls out a kitchen chair. “Now, please sit down. You look as if you have no legs to stand on anymore.”

“I can make him breakfast.”

“And so can I. Trust me when I say that it’s truly my pleasure, Nora. I’ve waited so long to do something so mundane as this for him.” I stare at him in wonder. He’s different than I ever imagined. I was seventeen, almost eighteen, when I found out that we would have been married. Now I’m twenty-four.

“Why are you staring at me like that?” he asked.

“Are you bi-polar or something?”

He lets out a deep, hearty chuckle as he sets the pancake on a plate. “Please explain.”

“You are dark, broody, and dangerous, and then you’re this.” I wave at the pancake-flipping, smiling man.

“What’s this?” He gives me a crooked smile and a well-arched brow. He gets my meaning, but I know he wants me to say it.

“Like what a typical, hot family man should be.”

“You think I’m hot?” He knows damn well he’s gorgeous.

“Ugh.” I roll my eyes. He’s at my side, lifting me to my feet and pinning me to the fridge in a blink of an eye.

“Beautiful little liar, I am not bi-polar. I’m a dangerous man, especially when it comes to those I love, and I’d do anything for my family.” He runs the back of his hand down my cheek, sliding it over my jaw to my collarbone and down my arm. I shiver and meet his gaze. Our noses brush against each other, and then I hear footsteps behind us. “I definitely get to you, Nora. Don’t lie to me anymore. It won’t change anything, except to make me angry.” His lips graze my cheek and then he pulls away.

Chapter Ten

Jack

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