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“Fine,” she said.

Giving her a curt nod, Kade picked up his mug and polished off the rest of the coffee. God how he hated fighting with her. Why did she have to be so stubborn? “Good girl. Now, can we just try to have a nice day? Please?”

“Yes,husband,” Lexi mumbled.

“I will admit, I do love having you call me that,” he said before letting his steely gaze move behind her. “Oh, heads up, Sweetheart. Breakfast is here.”

Balancing three full plates of fragrant food in her arms, Peggy carefully walked towards the newlywed couple with a small smile on her face.

“Ok, love birds! Let’s see. We’ve got steak and eggs for the mister...blueberry pancakes with extra syrup and butter and a double order of eggs and bacon for the misses,” the waitress stated, setting the various plates in front of the pair. “Would you guys like some more coffee?”

“Yes, please,” they both said at the same time.

Snickering to herself, Peggy looked back and forth between the two. It warmed her heart to see a couple so in sync.They probably finish each other’s sentences too, she thought to herself.

“Aww, you two really are made for each other, aren’t you? So adorable. Ok, I’ll be right back with that coffee!” she said before taking her leave.

Picking up his fork and knife, Kade began to cut his steak into bite sized chunks. He was extremely happy with the waitress’ statement.

“See? Even a stranger can tell we’re meant to be,” he said, shoveling a forkful of meat and runny eggs into his mouth.

Not daring to make eye contact with her captor, Lexi doused her blueberry pancakes in warm syrup and muttered something sharp under her breath. She doubted the waitress would be so enthusiastic if she knew the true nature of their relationship.

“What was that?” he asked between bites of his breakfast.

Reluctantly lifting her eyes, she plastered a smile on her face and shrugged her slight shoulders. “I just said that you’re right! Everyone can see how I feel about you,” she replied flatly, slicing through her pancakes with the edge of her fork.

Swallowing a mouthful of food, he silently watched his love as she began to eat bits and pieces of her hearty meal. He didn’t care for her tone but wasn’t going to start another tiff over it. It was something he simply needed to take note of and monitor. If he needed to redirect her attitude before they went back home, then so be it.

Feeling the uncomfortable heat of his gaze, she took a bite of crispy bacon and pulled her attention to the waitress returning to their booth. The evil glint in her captor’s eyes put her on edge. It gave her the much-needed reminder that he was a dangerous man. She needed to get the hell away from him, the sooner the better. There had to be a way for her to alert the waitress. There just had to be.

Stepping back to the table, Peggy began the process of filling up the newlywed’s empty coffee mugs. There was a tension in the air between them that she hadn’t felt only a minute prior. It made the hair on the back of her neck stand up on end. Understanding that it wasn’t her place to say anything, she simply pursed her lips together into a tight grin and walked over to attend the elderly couple sitting in the next booth.

Keeping her emerald eyes glued on Peggy, Lexi ignored Kade for a moment and focused her attention on the seemingly mundane conversation between the trio.

“Can you believe this snow?” Peggy asked, shaking her head in annoyance. “I mean, I know we are in the mountains but geeze!”

“Oh, I know,” bickered the elderly woman. “It has snowed so much up by our place that our cable and internet have been down fordays.I’m so mad! I’ve missed four episodes of my General Hospital, already! I heard that Laura got shot and I need to know what the hell happened!”

“You and that damn soap opera,” chimed in the elderly husband.

“Oh, shut up Barney. You know I wouldn’t watch it if you would act like a husband and actually talk to me,” she huffed before turning her full attention to the waitress. “At least I still have the radio. Speaking of, did you hear that news conference thismorning? The one about the missing woman? The one that was kidnapped?”

Instantly perking, Lexi kept her ears open but dropped her eyes to her plate. Picking at her breakfast, she acted as if she hadn’t heard a thing.Fuck,she thought. Theyhadto be talking about her.

“It was so sad,” continued the elderly woman. “Her boyfriend talked after the police gave their spiel. I mean, I feel so bad for the guy. It even sounded like he was crying. Just pleading for whoever had his girlfriend, to just let her go. He was so heartbroken! Just listening to his voice I could tell that he loves her so much. I just can’t imagine. What is our world coming to? We’re all going to hell in a handbasket, I swear!”

Taking in a sharp breath, Lexi gripped her fork tighter between her fingers and stabbed a piece of pancake. Yes, theyweretalking about her. The police were looking for her.Leo was looking for her.He still loved her, and he wanted herhome.

Curious to know if Kade had overheard what she had, she slowly lifted her gaze towards her captor’s face. Meeting his wild eyes, she instantly knew he had heard every single word. He had a look that chilled her to the bone. One that she knew was meant to threaten her with something hideous if she dared to open her mouth.

Seething in sudden anger, Kade leaned his large body over the table towards her. He wanted to make sure she paid attention to him and not the ridiculous conversation in the booth behind him. He should have killed Leo when he had the chance, it was a mistake he wasn’t going to make twice.

“You know, on second thought,” he hissed through gritted teeth. “I think we’re going to go home tomorrow. Thoseloose endsneed to be tied up as soon as possible. Now hurry up and finish your breakfast, Sweetheart. We’re heading back to the cabin as soon as you’re done.”

Dropping her fork on her plate, Lexi nodded once in acknowledgment. Grabbing her mug, she took another sip of coffee to look unbothered.Holy fuck,she screamed internally. He’s going to kill Leo.

Actually,Nikki quipped.I think it’s more likely that he’s going to make you do it.

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