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Oaks came with a message for a dinner invitation an hour ago. She
would have to face Jace again. Releasing a long breath of air she
wondered how strong she was to resist his advances.
That evening, it was just her luck that Jace made sure he d
seated beside her. More than once she shoved his hand off her thigh
under the table. Glaring at him once, so no one else could catch the
exchange, but she met a sinful grin. She mouthed the word stop but it
only came with a subtle shake of his head followed by a glint of dark
desire in those gorgeous brown eyes of his. Suddenly as if he finally
listened he stopped and she returned her attention to her food.
If Ellie didn t look down at her plate she would know why.
At that moment, Jace had glanced up and met Everett s eyes
and for a moment they just looked at one another.
Damn, did Everett know?
He removed his hand from Kate s thigh. He wasn t sure how
long Everett had been watching the exchange, but he was certain the
man had an idea about something, just not to the extent that he d had
with Ellie. Whatever punishment his older brother was going to dish
out was going to be brutal. Any other woman but Ellie and of course
Kate, would have been fine, but he had crossed that forbidden barrier.
Although to anyone else, his brother s stare looked entirely indifferent,
he could see the clouded anger in the man s eyes.
When everyone went into the room to listen to Kate play Ellie
excused herself and stepped out onto the front patio for some fresh air.
It was a warm night and the sun was just beginning to set causing a red
and orange glow against the sky. The view from there was breathtaking,
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The King s Lady
but not enough for her to get her mind off of Jace.
Normally she would have went and listened to her cousin play
because she enjoyed it so much, but she couldn t stand it anymore and
had to get away from Jace for a few moments. All through dinner she
couldn t meet his gaze, and she could feel the heat of his eyes on her.
Also, she made sure that she wasn t alone so he couldn t approach her.
There was no way in hell Jace would let the rest of the family know
what had happened between them or Big Ed would have them married,
and Everett would most likely beat the living snot out of Jace. She
rubbed her forehead with her hand. What was she going to do about the
baby? God, she had to tell Tyler and he d be furious. The man already
had a temper like a caged cougar and now she was pregnant and unwed.
To top it all off, it was Tyler s best friend who d gotten her this way. She
thought about leaving, but where would she go. They had no living
relatives except for Kate. Absently she reached up and wiped a tear
away angrily. She wouldn t cry, she was tougher than this.
She heard the door open and her heart started pounding in her
chest thinking it was Jace, but it wasn t, it was Everett. Instantly she
felt relieved, knowing that she couldn t resist the man regardless of
how she acted around him.
You okay honey.
She was startled by the endearment and the softness of his
voice. He really sounded concerned, Fine. She steeled herself and put
on her best false smile as she turned to face him, Why do you ask?
You look a little pale, that s all. He said nonchalantly.
Thanks for your concern Everett, but I m fine. I m just not
feeling to well.
Not too talkative at dinner either. It s not like you. He added
in the same tone.
And being talkative isn t like you, she thought as she looked at
him, but he wasn t looking at her he was just leaning against one of the
archways rolling a smoke. Kate plays beautifully. She heard the music
flowing out of the house and loved it. She watched a smile tug at
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Lietha Wards
Everett s lips while he still concentrated on his task. Wow, she thought,
he really does care about her.
That she does. He said with pride bringing his gaze to hers.
You love her a lot, don t you Everett? She couldn t help but
ask. He must though, because Everett was not the marrying kind and
for a woman to elicit a proposal from him would have to have captured
the man s heart.
I do. He admitted somewhat sheepishly flicking her a glance
before lighting his cheroot. He would never admit that except to Kate
herself, but Ellie was different. She was like a sister to him and despite
how indifferent he d always been around her, he genuinely cared for
her.
I m glad you found each other. She really needed you. She
said watching him take a long draw off his smoke while looking out to
the sunset.
I m glad you think so. He said. Then he turned and looked at
her for a moment.
What? Kate may have been able to see his moods as clear as
day, but all Ellie saw was that same steeled expression as did everyone
else. When he spoke the concern in his voice surprised her.
If you need to talk about anything. You know you can come to
me right?
No she didn t, but she nodded. She always thought Everett was
as approachable as a cactus.
Walking up to her he held out his hand, Just so you know
that. He pushed something into her palm.
She looked down at her mother s choker and released a sob.
He knew.
He knew and he didn t say anything to anyone, or Kate would
have asked her out of concern. Her admiration for the man just
swelled. Knowing how close he and Kate were, the secrecy must ve
been very hard on him. If he didn t say anything to Kate, then he
certainly didn t to Jace. Why was that?
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The King s Lady
Holding the locket to her breast she suddenly felt a little better.
It wasn t much compared to the anguish she was dealing with, but at
least it was something. Having the knowledge that someone else who
cared about her knew and supported her brought her some relief. His
indication of her being pale made her think that he knew about the
baby too. The only thing she couldn t figure out was why he hadn t said
anything. She was sure she knew him enough to know that Jace
wouldn t be all in one piece unless something or someone stopped him.
Then it dawned on her.
Big Ed knew too.
He was the only one that had enough influence to stop Everett
from beating the stuffing out of Jace. Yet, after Jace s amorous display
at the dinner table, it was obvious that he was completely unaware that
his brother and father knew what they had been doing.
Overall, Everett s overwhelming concern for her eliminated the
shame she felt from them discovering how she had behaved. Besides
Tyler and Kate, the Kings meant everything to her. Although she didn t
care what anyone else thought, she certainly had been worrying about
their opinion of her. Everett had no idea the relief she just gave him.
Actually if Everett were to beat the stuffing out of Jace, it would serve
him right. He knew she had no resistance toward him and he used that.
Her eyes guided back up to him, How long have you known?
He shrugged, About two weeks after the May celebration. He
looked over her head and took a drag off his smoke. Don t feel
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