Page 26 of Fall of a Kingdom

“I have some things to take care of back at the carriage house,” Hildie said.

Barrett nodded. “Thank you for the tea and croissants.”

“Call if you need me. Otherwise, I’ll be gone all afternoon.”

I watched her touch Barrett’s shoulder in a show of silent affection and then leave the salon. Hildie’s footsteps faded down the hallway and we were alone again.

“She’s right,” Barrett said, reaching for a ham and cheese croissant and wrapping it in a white linen napkin before giving it to me. “You do look like you need a nap.”

“So do you,” I pointed out as I took the croissant from her.

“You didn’t shave.”

“Didn’t think it was important. When I found out where you were, I showered off the scotch and then got on a plane.”

She winced. “You called Sasha, didn’t you?”

“Aye.”

“I’m guessing you know he owns it?”

I nodded. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Barrett lifted the cup of tea to her lips. “I wasn’t sure how to explain it. I wasn’t sure it would make sense.”

“So, you decided to keep it a secret from me. Not just that he owns the house, but that you have complete access to it.” The anger that had been pushed aside due to the relief of holding her in my arms came roaring back. “Why do you keep things from me? Haven’t I forgiven you enough in the past? Sometimes I want to shake some sense into you, Barrett. I’m your husband, and yet you keep me at arm’s length. Have you ever truly let me in?”

She turned her head and glared at me. “That’s not fair, Flynn. We didn’t meet under normal circumstances, and don’t pretend there weren’t times you haven’t been honest with me.”

“No,” I said, my tone darkening. “You don’t get to make excuses. When you found out who I was, who Itrulywas, you chose to stay. You do not get to punish me for that now.”

Barrett bowed her head and nodded timidly. In that moment, she appeared smaller. Like the world had battered her down.

“Do you want a divorce?” I asked suddenly. “Is that what all this about?”

She lifted her gaze swiftly to mine. “No. I don’t want a divorce.”

“Then why, Barrett? Why do you come here? Why did you run off without an explanation? Why didn’t you at least let me know you were safe? And why the hell do you and Sasha have secrets that I’m not privy to?”

Barrett set her cup of tea down on the tray and rose. She wrapped the blanket around her shoulders and then strode to the fireplace to stare into the flames.

I wanted to go to her, but the anger poisoned my veins and unleashed white-hot rage into my body. I couldn’t move. I could barely breathe. I was afraid if I went to her, we wouldn’t talk. I’d drag her into my arms and kiss the breath out of her. We’d fall to the floor and fuck in front of the fire, and nothing would be resolved. We’d be back where we started without resolution. But the cracks in our relationship had reached the foundation. One earthquake and we’d be nothing but rubble.

She turned her head to look at me. Her hazel eyes were shiny, and a lone tear slipped out of the corner of her eye to roll down her cheek. “I’m consumed with guilt.”

“Guilt over what? Dolinsky? Needing to still mourn the anniversary of his death? What? For fuck’s sake, what the hell is this all about?”

She exhaled a shaky breath and then squared her shoulders. “We were supposed to have another child, Flynn. But I lost it.”

Chapter10

BARRETT

His eyes widened.“What the hell are you talking about?”

“We lost a baby, Flynn.”

“When? For shite’s sake, Barrett. I want the entire fucking story and I want it now!”