Page 176 of Pawn's in the Bishop's Game (Checkmate 1)

“The contract.” Laughing, I move faster so I’m beside her, rather than being dragged from behind. Throwing my arm over her shoulder without releasing her hand, I pull her in close and kiss her temple. “I’ll marry you, Blondie.”

“Wait.” Stopping at the bottom of the stairs, she hardly stumbles as I come to a screeching stop. “How much of Kane Bishop was fake?”

My lips twitch. “What do you mean?”

“Is your birthday still your birthday?”

“Yes.” I grin. “Two days after yours.”

She returns my smile. “Is your name really Kane? Is it really Allan or Alexander or Alejandro or something? Is that why you put Al in my phone?”

“Ah…” I clear my throat with faux nerves. “Kane’s kinda a badass name, right? I took liberties, since my real name is kinda dorky.”

Her eyes narrow. “What’s your real name?”

“Maybe Al is for Albert.”

Biting her lips closed, her eyes grow wide. “Umm…”

“Like, I know Albert isn’t super badass, but, you know. I was a baby. I didn’t get a choice.”

“Albert.” Her perfectly shaped brow pops. “Um. Albert… What’s your last name?”

“Limpick.” I work to contain my grin. “The third.”

“Albert Limpick… the third.”

“Are you sure you still wanna marry me? Limpick would be your last name, too.”

“Limpick… like limp dick?”

“Jessica! Show some fuckin’ respect! Your firstborn son will be Albert Limpick the fourth.”

“Oh my God.” Her face burns red. “Kane… I dunno.”

“Albert.” I lean forward and drop a kiss on her stunned lips. “Better get used to saying it.”

Slamming his door closed, Eric skips down the stairs and smacks me on the back of the head. “His name’s Kane Bishop. Has been since his mama pushed him outta her snatch. Albert is a lame name, so stop teasing her.”

* * *

“Alright.”Clutching to my hand until her knuckles turn white, she acts like she’s nervous, likeshe’sthe one that’s just been put on the chopping block. “Get ready for the lightning round. There are loads of them.”

I stand in the huge living space of a house made for hosting and face what may be a hundred people. The women look on with playful smiles. The men watch me like I might steal their silverware.

“Kane Bishop.” Jess gestures toward the group. “Meet everyone. You know Oz already. This is his house.” I nod. He nods. “That’s his teen asshole, Benny.”

“Hey!”

“His wife, Lindsi. She’s the one that shot her last husband. Watch out for her. She’s fast.”

I nod.

She snickers and leans into heralive-husband.

“That’s Marc and Meg and their new baby. Marc’s the sort-of-brother that beat mine up for banging his sister.”

I nod.

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