Page 49 of Break Me: Smith and Belle

“I’m just giving them a chance,” he said gruffly. His eyes raked over Georgia as he spoke.

This time I definitely wasn’t imagining it. I tiptoed away, giving them room to talk or fight or whatever it was they did, and took the seat next to Edward.

“I didn’t know he was coming,” I said to him in a quiet voice.

His gaze remained on the hearth, his brown eyes reflecting the flickering light from the fire. “I got that when you said ’Who the fuck is that?’ when you saw a helicopter on your front lawn,” he said absently. “He probably killed your grass. You’ll want Rowan to tend it when he leaves.”

“Sod the grass.” I understood focusing on strange, seemingly insignificant details rather than face huge, painful feelings. But Georgia was right. Edward couldn’t ignore what had happened forever. “How are you?”

“I was never going to avoid him forever. He wouldn’t allow it.” He looked at me, pressing his lips into a thin line as he raised his eyebrows. “And he gets his way.”

“I’ll make him leave,” I offered. “I don’t care who he is.”

One corner of his mouth lifted into a smile. “You need his help. Our family is good at getting to the bottom of things and…“

Covering things up. He didn’t say it, but I knew what he was thinking. If I had hurt Nora, my ties to the royal family could help me get away with it. I didn’t have the heart to tell Edward that if we found out I’d hurt her that I didn’t want to hide it.

“Pardon me, ma’am,” Mrs. Winters interrupted, and everyone turned to her, “but will you and your guests be wanting lunch?”

“I’ll check with Mr. Price,” I told her, doing my best to act like it was no big deal that several members of the monarchy and their bodyguards were in our house. Not that Mrs. Winters cared about the why so much as that she hadn’t been warned.

I got to my feet and Edward held out his arms for Penny.

“Can I hold her?” he asked.

I passed the baby to him with a smile. There was nothing quite as healing as holding her when she was in a good mood.

Mrs. Winters walked with me into the hall, and I realized she planned to stick around for an answer. I didn’t want her to overhear what Smith and Alexander might be discussing in the study. I waved her on. “I’ll come down and let you know.”

“Of course, ma’am.” Her lips pinched together, angry to be dismissed.

Honestly, when wasn’t she angry with me?

I waited until she’d reached the lift before quietly entering my husband’s study.

Alexander and Smith fell silent instantly—until they realized it was me.

“Beautiful,” Smith sent the word out like a request.

I crossed the room and dropped into his arms. “What did you find?”

“Alexander found some birth records. Miranda Thorne did have a little girl fifty years ago.”

“What happened to her?” I asked, glancing at Alexander for information.

The king lounged regally in the chair across the desk, his elbows rested on its arms and his hands steepled in thoughtful silence.

“Don’t know yet,” Smith said. “We are waiting on adoption records.”

“But you came all the way out here?” I directed the question to Alexander.

“I had other business to attend to,” he said smoothly. “Plus, we should have the information shortly.”

“He’s not ready to talk to you,” I said fiercely, my urge to protect Edward taking hold. Alexander did get what he wanted—too often, in my opinion.

“That’s not the only reason I’m here.” He directed the full force of his blue eyes on me. “I’m told you need my help, as well.”

“What?” I shot Smith a scathing look. How could he tell him that?