Page 86 of The Truth of Our Secrets

Me: Same

I laugh because Jayce is old-school and still sends the thumbs-up for agreement.

I palm my hardening dick, thinking about them. I’m so fucked. The pull to go to them is stronger than gravity.

Chapter thirty

Jayce

I’m pacing in our front entry, fighting claustrophobia. My stomach churns with the news I have to tell Madyson. I should’ve known it wouldn’t be easy, but what the fucking hell.

The door opens and I haul my Baby Girl in my arms before she can say anything.

“You’re scaring me,” she whispers.

It’s a struggle to get the words out. My mouth is so dry and I’m clinging to her, afraid of how she’ll react.

“Tell me.” Her voice wobbles.

“His lawyer says he refuses to cooperate.” I run my fingers through her hair.

“I’m not surprised,” she says matter-of-factly. “What does that mean in terms of time and money?”

“It’s hard to say, but I got an angry text today that makes me nervous.” Before I can explain, there’s a knock on the door.

The smile slides off Emmet’s face when he sees me. “What’s wrong?”

I guess he’s not the only one who doesn’t have a poker face. “Come in. I want you to hear this with Madyson because I have a favor.” I back up, bringing Madyson with me so he can enter.

We pile on the love seat—our favorite place to sit because of the intimacy.

“We’ve mentioned our ex, Peter.” I reach for Emmet’s hand, hoping he won’t pull away. He links our fingers and nods. “We’re trying to settle some legal issues.” Madyson clucks her tongue, but I continue. “He’s been resistant and combative, but now that I’ve asked my lawyer to put pressure on him, I’m worried about Madyson.”

She’s taking it way better than I could imagine, but Emmet’s fury is written all over his face.

“What do you need from me?”

“The Enforcers are sending me to Chicago to scout a few games. I’ll be away for three days and I don’t like leaving her alone. Stay here with her?” I don’t trust Peter not to contact her. She needs someone to lean on.

“Of course. You don’t have to ask.” Emmet reaches up to run his fingers across my brow, smoothing my scowl.

“It’s one of the nights you usually aren’t here.” It hasn’t been that long, but he wasn’t here the last two Mondays. The urge to pry and ask where he goes overwhelms me, but I stay silent.

“I can rearrange my schedule to be here with Firecracker.” His hand glides over her leg. “You good with that?” he asks her.

She calmly tilts her head to agree. I’m not calm.

“I love when you’re here and I hate sleeping alone, so that lets Jayce off the hook of FaceTiming with me all night.”

“Hey,” I protest because I sleep better watching her.

“Now he’ll get two for the price of one.” Emmet wraps us in his warm embrace.

Madyson

I’m up to my elbows in raw chicken and Emmet is cutting veggies when Jayce texts.

“Can you read that for me?” I nod at my phone.

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