Her Silent Revenge novel Chapter 100

That our red thread of fate already feels like a knot—and pulling it apart would mean brutally slashing the cord, dropping us on our heads.

It's a terrifying thought, but so is how hard and fast I've fallen. "Arlo will be up soon," I whisper.

"Humor a man."

Smiling, I close my eyes and lean back into him, enjoying the feeling of his hand splayed across my belly. "Good morning to you, too."

"The best," he agrees, reluctantly moving his hand away.

We lay together until the morning sun streams through the blinds. It's getting brighter and earlier with spring closing in.

A second later, a not-so-distant thud tells me Arlo's awake.

Patton's arm falls away as I sit up quickly, trying to ignore the heavy sense of doubt about what's ahead.

"What's wrong, Lady Bug?"

"…are you sure today's a good idea? I mean, are you certain?"

"Why would I not be sure?" He blinks as I look back at him, watching as the laziness fades from his face.

"Because it's your mom and your family and I'm…" I hesitate. We've never given it a name even though it's pretty clear. "I'm with you," I finish lamely.

"Dexter already knows. If Archer's brain wasn't mixed up with a moose at birth, he'll know it too."

I slap his shoulder, laughing, but he's right. Dexter Rory has been dropping hints lately.

Dropping by The Cardinal to compliment me on the way things are going. Just happening to arrive at the same time Patton does and annoying his little brother to death.

The comments, too.

Sly remarks about how well we work together and how much we seem to enjoy each other's company. Last time he was around, he even invited me to a dinner with him and his wife. That's definitely not something you do for a random employee.

"They won't be angry, I promise. What has you so worried?" Patton sits up and brushes my hair back from my face.

"Archer might be…"

"Then Archer will realize he's an idiot for not seeing what's happening right under his nose."

"And your mother?" I swallow thickly. That's the part that really scares me.

I burned my bridges with my family ages ago, and Arlo never knew them.

Until now, the thought of adopting more relatives through Patton never occurred to me. And what will they really think when they figure out Arlo's a Rory and I've kept him hidden for five years?

If they don't approve of me— Yeah, I'm cooked.

"You'd still be mine," he answers.

"Yours," I echo, trying not to tear up.

And he kisses me after he kisses my hand, a dangerous edge to his mouth as he claims mine.

"It's decided. We'll go with girlfriend," he says, sending butterflies swarming my belly again. "That enough for you to quit fussing? I'm sure about this, Salem."

"You're not even a little worried about how they're going to react? With Arlo, I mean?"

He rests his forehead on mine.

"You don't really know my mother yet. She'll be thrilled out of her gourd. I'll probably need to tie her down to keep her from taking off. But that won't even be today."

I smile. "Even if she knows I kept him a secret?"

"Salem, Salem," he growls. "Why, after everything, is your self-esteem trailing miles behind your success? Enough bullshit."

"I just…" I don't know how to articulate it, this annoying uncertainty weighing me down. "I'm your employee."

"What do you want me to do? Fire you first?" "Dude, it's a conflict of interest."

"We weren't employees when we hooked up and made a kid. Plus, I'm pretty sure my brothers would rather keep you at The Cardinal than risk having you step back and let someone less competent take over." He rubs his nose against mine. "Also, us not dating isn't an option. Firing you is, in theory," he murmurs.