#Chapter 39 – Family Drama

The next morning, I wake up on Victor’s couch. It was such a disastrous end to a great date, I think, rubbing my head and yawning. Archie jumps up on the couch, giving me enthusiastic morning kisses, and I pet his precious face, cooing goodmorning to him but trying not to let him lick me quite so much.

“I thought it was my dog,” Victor says, and I turn to see him leaning against the doorframe, smirking at me.

“It was supposed to be your dog,” I say, standing and wrapping the throw blanket around myself. “I can’t help it if I’m just more lovable than you. Poor pup couldn’t resist.”

Victor laughs and whistles for the dog, who trots over to say good morning too. Victor gives him some scratches on his bum and Archie prances happily.

“I’ve increased patrols on your house,” Victor says, straightening up as the dog goes to look for the boys. “I apologize, I didn’t think to have a guard set while you were away. It won’t happen again.”

“Victor,” I say, running a hand through my hair, worried. “She knows where I am now…and she’s nuts. And that’s my professional diagnosis, which I don’t hand out easily.”

“It’s nothing my team can’t handle,” Victor says, turning to the kitchen, confident in his control. “She’s just one woman. If I couldn’t keep you safe from that, I don’t deserve my place as Alpha.”

I follow him into the kitchen, nodding and seeking coffee. I decide to trust him and not push any further, but I have to admit – I’m still wary. Emily is crafty and apparently determined.

“I’ll have a glazier come by this morning, to fix the window,” Victor says, handing me a mug and filling it with coffee. I accept and smile at him.

“Thank you for organizing that. Please send me the bill.”

He huffs and nods sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

“It’s my house, Victor, these are my problems.”

“And as your landlord,” he says, handing me the pitcher of cream, “it’s my job to cover incidental repairs.”

“But this wasn’t incidental –“

“Please, Evelyn,” he says, his voice deep and serious. “Don’t fight me on this. I told you I’d keep you safe. This was a breach of that promise. Let me make it right.”

I consider for a moment, and then nod. “At least let me have you and Evelyn over for dinner tonight,” I say, stirring the cream into my coffee with the spoon Victor hands me. “To say thanks.”

“We would love to,” he agrees.

“I don’t want her in my house,” I hear Alvin whisper to Ian as I walk into the kitchen that evening. They’re peeking through the kitchen window at Victor and Amelia coming across the lawn. Of course, being able to look out the back window means they’re both standing in the sink.

crossing the room and lifting each boy down from the countertop.

mom. Duh.” Ian says, rolling his eyes at me and running for the back door.

head. Amelia follows him in, smiling at the boys and clearly waiting for

flowers are so pretty, thank you for thinking of us,” I

kitchen. “It’s very…quaint in here. I haven’t seen

know what Amelia, who is wearing ten-thousand-dollar diamond earrings for a casual

am hungry!” Ian says, jumping up and

scoops the bouncing Ian up into his arms and pretends to take big bites

laugher as his dad carries him into the living room. Alvin chases after, shouting that he, too, is

Amelia’s hand as her eyes follow the boys, slightly horrified. She jumps a little, surprised, and smiles her thanks. I move to

her, taking the big bowl of greens out of the fridge. “Or, something else? I

out. “I have to be in Bolivia soon, for a shoot. Are we…eating in here? Would the dining

say, gesturing to the four white chairs around the little white table, a set that I trash picked and painted when the boys were young and getting too big for their high chairs. I’ve added a stool to one side, so that we can

“That’s…great,” she

rather work from where you work,” I say laughing, setting plates at the table. “Bolivia sounds amazing. What are you

me about her upcoming swimsuit shoot, I take the casserole out of the oven and place it carefully on the table. Smelling it, the boys rush into the kitchen to wash their hands. Victor happily takes his seat at the head of the table, not bothering to consider if he should defer it to me in my own

the room as Amelia tells me more about her co-models, the photographers, and the boys tell Victor about their day at

going perfectly well

“Can I

say, beginning to

I’m momentarily grateful that we’re getting along – that she seems to be warming to

to move in slow motion as I see him slip a foot out from under the table, catching

face on the counter as she goes down. Alvin gasps, horror

over on the ground and reveals a

– I – “ Amelia mumbles, reaching up with a shaking hand to touch the warm blood on her face.

towels from me and helping her to sit up. I leave them to it, turning to glare at my boys, who are standing

Amelia does too. “That one did it,” she says, pointing at Alvin. “He tripped

lies, stomping his foot and

mom’s urge

kneeling next to Amelia, his face

has done wrong, but my heart goes out to him – he’s clearly

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