Page 81 of Fall of a Kingdom

“What the hell doesthatmean?”

“It means you thought of leaving Barrett at some point.”

“Never,” I stated, my tone emphatic.

“Never?” He raised his brows. “Not even after her time with Dolinsky?”

“Not even then,” I admitted. “She didn’t return to me the same woman. That wasn’t her fault. It was mine.”

“Are you saying… Wait, you didn’t stay with her out of guilt, did you?”

“No. It wasn’t guilt. Not at all. But she chose me. The moment she raised the pistol and killed him she chose me. What kind of man would I have been to walk away from her?”

“The kind that believes in self-preservation.” Duncan threw back the rest of his drink. “She’s put you through hell.”

“There has never been a more loyal, brave or resourceful woman, and I’m proud to call her my wife,” I said, my tone darkening. “Do not put your shite on me, brother.”

Duncan rose, and without a word, prowled from the room.

I sat back in my chair, letting Duncan’s words claw their way deep into the marrow of my bones.

I hadn’t ever thought of leaving Barrett, but when she’d come back to me after Dolinsky, I had seen the truth in her eyes.

She’d considered leaving me.

So, I’d done the only thing to ensure she stayed with me.

I got her pregnant on purpose.

Chapter29

BARRETT

The children were asleep,and I was far too sober for my liking. I’d switched to tea after one glass of wine, knowing that Piper would be awake several times in the coming hours.

“I say we leave the kids with the husbands and skip off to somewhere tropical,” Ash muttered.

“I support this endeavor, fully,” Quinn murmured. She was laying on the rug in front of the gas fireplace absorbing the warmth like an alligator in the sun. She wiggled her blue argyle clad feet and groaned in pleasure. “This fire is sinful.”

“Yeah, just ask her how many times she and Flynn have had sex in front of it,” Ash said with a grin.

“Hush, you.” I laughed. “I thought you only had one glass of wine, too.”

“I did. But it was enough to loosen my tongue.”

“We should go to bed before this devolves further,” I suggested.

Quinn pulled herself up and rose. “Good plan.”

“I doubt I have the energy to even climb the stairs,” Ash commented.

“Come on, I’ll help you,” I said with a smile. “You’ll be more comfortable in a bed.”

She sighed. “Does anyone else feel like a busted, worn-out hag?”

“I’ll admit to the worn-out part, but I do not claim hag status,” I remarked.

“Ditto,” Quinn said with a chuckle.