Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 149641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 748(@200wpm)___ 599(@250wpm)___ 499(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 149641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 748(@200wpm)___ 599(@250wpm)___ 499(@300wpm)
“Which is a good and productive thing to do.” Kenzie wasn’t sure why she was arguing since she thought the same thing, but she couldn’t leave it. She felt the deep need to defend her lover. “He’s trying to stop that man from ruining the world. The same way we are.”
“Ah, but we’re not obsessed with him,” Kala replied. “We don’t think about him night and day. Look, Huisman did spend time trying to sow dissent and suspicion between our team and the Canadians. Do you honestly think he’s not working Ben the same way?”
She couldn’t help but think about that phone call he’d taken. He’d told her it was work, but she’d seen that look on his face before. It was rage and cold calculation, and there was no small amount of guilt in there. She’d known who had been in his ear, but he hadn’t wanted to talk about it.
So she’d held his hand and led him to the dance floor. He would talk to her when he was ready, and honestly, given their jobs, he might not talk to her about it at all. She had to make peace with the fact that there would be a wall between them when they weren’t straight up working together. She would have to keep things from him, too.
Could this work?
At least when she’d danced with him he’d seemed to relax. He’d swayed to the music with her, and she’d felt him kiss the top of her head like she was precious. They’d stayed on that dance floor for the longest time, simply existing in each other’s space. Their space. Making a new place where they were together.
That was all that mattered, after all.
Was she being naïve?
“I think he’ll handle it the same way we do. No one bought what Huisman was selling.” Even Kala had rolled her eyes and said Ben was way too bad at acting to pull that off.
Would he be good at role-play? Since the day she’d met him she’d dreamed of some fantasy role-play.
She should probably keep her mind on the conversation at hand since if her sister truly thought she was in danger of getting her heart broken, she might try to take said danger out.
Kala’s expression softened. “I’m worried he’s not coming from the same place we are. He’s had a shit ton of betrayal in his life, and it colors how he looks at things. I worry the right words will plant suspicion in Ben’s head because the truth is he’s been waiting for you to do exactly that. He’s waiting for you to betray him, and that can be a self-fulfilling prophecy.”
Aunt Chelsea’s jaw dropped. “I thought the therapist was evil.”
Lou grinned. “Oh, she was, but that doesn’t mean she didn’t say some things that were super true. Also, Kala’s been seeing a good therapist to get over the fact that the last one tried to murder her.”
Kenzie had made that happen. “She lost at poker. She was so sure she had me but she was out of cash, so I suggested she meet with Willow once a week for the next two months.”
“I’m almost sure she cheated,” Kala said, eyes narrowed.
She’d totally cheated. A girl had to keep her skills up, and cheating at cards came up a lot in her line of business. It was weird, but she was good at it. And in this case it was for a good cause because Willow Madden was doing a great job at the Ferguson Clinic, and Kala did seem to be dealing with her shit now. “I had good cards that night. I certainly wouldn’t cheat.”
“She wouldn’t.” Lou had been in on it, and it was good to know her sister’s bestie was solid when it came to a plot for Kala’s own good.
Sometimes her sister didn’t listen to good advice and needed to be led to happiness by any means necessary.
Maybe Ben was the same way. Maybe Ben needed to be led to happiness because his tortured past had taught him not to trust joy.
“Well, I don’t care how it happened,” her mother admitted. “I’m happy my baby is happy and that she has someone she can talk to. It’s important.”
Her mother would know. So would her aunt. They’d both been through extensive therapy and both were still deeply involved in their women’s support group.
Devi gave Tasha a long hug. “I was there. I kind of think she cheated, too, but I’m smart enough to stay out of a Taggart twins showdown. I have to go. Love you, Cousin.” She turned to Kenzie. “You be careful with Ben, and watch each other’s backs. I’m going to need you guys because I’m pretty sure I’m getting married next year. I think Zach is going to pop the question soon.”
She blew the group a kiss and walked out. Kenzie was sure there was a bodyguard waiting to escort her cousin to the airport.