My Ex Husband The Alpha His Brother The Rogue novel Chapter 72

Chapter 72

Chapter 72

-Laila

It’s already past dawn by the time we get back.

The lake house looks the same in the dim lighting of the early morning hours.

And yet, as I step inside, I can’t help feeling like I just crossed into a place that isn’t familiar anymore…

Maybe it’s never been. Maybe it isn’t even supposed to be.

Now that I’m back here, my thoughts finally stray to Cameron and a tinge of guilt coils within me.

I’m not sure why I feel like this. I’m not sure I want to know. My loyalty to him was shattered by his own hands.

I don’t owe him anything.

But somehow, it feels wrong.

It didn’t in the moment but now, I can’t help the thought that I’ve done something terribly wrong.

Made a mistake I’m sure to regret.

I was warned.

It’s ironic that the warning came from no one else but Kael. He’d said it himself that this might be the worst decision I’d make.

And it’s already beginning to feel like it. To feel like…a bad decision.

The storm had blown itself out by dawn, and it had taken a short while more till it was safe to leave the cabin.

In that time, I’d been unable to face the reality or the awkward aftermath and so I’d kept away from Kael.

He’d let me.

The car ride back had passed in silence. Kael’s heavy coat still wrapped around my shoulders, his fists clenched around the steering wheel but his eyes fixed on the road.

Neither of us said a word about the night. Or glanced backwards at the forest or the cabin hidden within it.

And as much as I want to deny everything that happened, as much as I want to pretend none of it did, the memory clings to my skin the whole way, as surely as the scent of smoke and sex.

He promised me he’d make sure I could never get past it. And the thought that that might be true terrifies me.

There’s only a short time left before I get to be free from the Blackwoods. Binding myself deeper to Kael at this time is a risk that’s sure to come right back around to bite me in the ass.

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Chapter 72

It’s just sex. I remind myself for the hundredth time.

Kael’s been with so many women, this won’t change anything, right?

The answer is a bitter feeling in the back of my throat.

And I’m not sure if that’s my heart agreeing with my thoughts or shunning them.

“Come on. You need to warm up.” Kael’s words draw me out of my thoughts as he leads the way.

I pull the coat tighter around myself as we walk into the house.

Warmth rushes to greet me, wrapping around me like familiar arms. The heater banishes the chill that trails behind us.

The lake house is in a bigger bustle than we left it. I pause in my step, glancing around at all the new faces.

Kael is clearly unsurprised. The change must have happened while he was still home before he came looking for me in the cabin.

They’re not guests but staff. That much is clear from the uniforms they have on.

But Grandfather Blackwood’s arrival always means things are going to be different from when Max and Shirley run the home.

A few staff move about with fresh towels and steaming trays of food. They’re quick to usher us in like they’ve been waiting.

I guess they have. Kael finally got cell reception at dawn and had called home to let them know we were fine.

He’d kept it short and hadn’t said anything about Cameron or made any accusations.

I can’t lie. That surprised me.

The Kael I know would never let an opportunity to discredit Cameron slip.

I’m not silly enough to believe he’ll let Cameron off after what happened in the woods.

I can only hope he doesn’t take things too far. At least not using me as justification.

Grandfather Blackwood must have ordered them to prepare to welcome us because they quickly drape us in warm towels.

I should be grateful. Instead, glancing around the sitting room, my stomach twists.

Exiting the forest, I realized all the rescue authorities had been withdrawn. Even the news outlets made no mention of us and the storm.

Rather, the hunting event was all over the news. Everyone’s talking about just how successful it was.

I know the Blackwoods value their reputation above everything else. There’s no way they’ll let the world catch

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Chapter 72

wind that I was stuck in a storm and Cameron left me behind and Kael arrived later.

Or that Kael and I were forced to spend the night in a cabin due to the storm.

While it doesn’t surprise me, it still leaves a bitter taste.

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I could very well have died and the Blackwoods would think of the fanciest way to cover it up.

Like they did with the divorce. And everything else since.

Even now, majority don’t know Cameron cheated on me with Sarah while we were married.

I’m the villain in the story they plotted out.

Maybe that’s why Kael looks at me the way he does. Like I’m not angry enough…hurt enough. Like I let Cameron get away with anything and everything the same way I let Sarah into my home.

‘Is he wrong?‘ A tiny voice somewhere in the back of my mind asks.

It’s a question I can’t answer.

Kael leads the way past the fireplace. My eyes dart to it against my will, my body remembers too vividly the heat of another fire, the one fuelled by my gasps and Kael’s grunts.

Gods!

I need to get this out of my head. Get him out of my head.

I still can’t believe it happened. And I let it.

I still can’t believe I let him touch me and possess me like he had any rights or any true claim.

He doesn’t. And unlike what he thinks, neither does Cameron.

I don’t belong to anyone. But I’m not doing a very good job of making that clear to the Blackwoods.

“Mrs. Blackwood,” one of the new staff greets softly, her eyes concerned.

Kael cut her off with a flick of his hand, his voice is a cold demand. “We’re fine. Where’s Liam?” he asks like he’d read my mind.

“Fast asleep,” She explains quickly. “Your Granddad has left instructions that you both go over to his study the moment you arrive.”

“We’ll see Liam first.” He says firmly, “We’ll go to him afterwards.”

The female staff doesn’t protest. She inclines her head and scurries off, probably to relay Kael’s words to

Grandfather Blackwood.

Kael? He doesn’t seem to care.

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Chapter 72

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He doesn’t look my way as he strides towards the stairs, tugging off his gloves as he goes. Well, he doesn’t have

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I can already feel him everywhere. On my lips. Between my thighs. Hell, beneath my skin.

God help me, I can’t stop feeling him.

And he walks with the confidence of a man that knows that.

My steps falter at the beginning of the hallway. The last thing I want is for Liam to see me like this. I should have stood my ground with Kael, if only because of him.

My throat closes.

Kael notices and pauses.

He leans against the opposite wall, watching me with a predator’s patience. His eyes shift in calculation. He’s obviously trying to figure me out. His mouth curves slightly, but not in a smile.

“Why?” His voice is as sharp as a blade. “Now that we’re back, you regret giving up the chance to get back with him?”

Of course that’s what he thinks this is about.

My gaze shifts to his, my eyes narrowing. “Don’t.”

The corner of his mouth tilts higher, in a cruel half smile. “What’s wrong? Afraid I’ll make you remember him?”

“I don’t need your help with that.” I snap before I can think it through.

But I don’t regret saying it. If his first thought is always Cameron, I can’t be bothered to prove him wrong.

Something dark flickers in Kael’s eyes. He pushes away from the wall, closing the distance between us.

His steps are unhurried and deliberate. “Even after he left you for dead in the storm?” His head tilts. “You can still worry about him? Defend him?”

Anger coils in my veins. My fists clench in his coat, but I don’t drop it. I can’t.

Because beneath Kael’s dark taunt, there’s a glint of something else… something I can’t quite figure out.

“Kael…

He doesn’t push further. Instead, he brushes past me, heading to our room first.

I exhale for a moment before following after him.

He’s waiting for me by the door. His gaze fixed on a sleeping Liam, curled up on our bed.

I exhale a breath of relief, nodding gratefully at Marie as she slips out.

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Without looking at me. Kael tugs the heavy coat from my shoulders only to drape a clean pair across them again, settling it firmly like armor

My lips part slightly in surprise.

“You’ll freeze,” he says, but his tone is more freezing. “Sit.”

It’s not kindness, I realize. It’s control. And yet my knees bend before I think better of it, lowering myself onto the sofa

The coat smells of him. Earth, mint and smoke. Him.

He busies toying with the heater. Then he turned, the dim lighting painting shadows across his sculpted jaw.

For a moment, his gaze lingers. Heavy with intent and an intensity I recognize. It almost looks like he’ll

speak about last night. About how I screamed his name into the storm.

And I glance uneasily at my son.

But Kael Blackwood doesn’t speak of things that give him power. He only keeps them.

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