Page 61 of Break Me: Smith and Belle

A throat cleared loudly and we broke apart.

“Sorry to interrupt, but I didn’t save your ass so you could bleed to death from a stab wound,” Alexander called from the door.

“You were stabbed?” Belle yelped in panic, waking Penny.

“Everyone relax. I’m putting pressure on it, the blood loss is already slowing.”I leaned in to kiss the baby’s head, smiling. I would never take simple acts like that for granted again.

We laid Penny down into the nursery and Georgia insisted on performing a security sweep. We returned to the sitting room to sort through the evening. We filled Belle in as Georgia inspected my wound, which turned out to only need cleaning and bandaging. Alexander and Brexton had called someone to help deal with the body. I wasn’t surprised when a half-dozen black SUVs pulled onto the drive instead of the local police.

“I figured we’d skip the bumbling detective,” he said. He took a deep breath and nodded. “Everything should be fine, but call me if there are any...issues. You have my number.”

“Heading out?” I asked.

Alexander’s eyes swept over us, and I knew what he was seeing: a family. “I think I’m ready to go home.”

“Good, because Clara has been calling you nonstop,” Brex said, pushing his mobile into his hands. “And I do not want to get blamed for keeping you out too late.”

“This one is all on me.”

Belle went to show them to the door. To my surprise, Edward went with her. I watched as the brothers said an awkward goodbye. At least they were talking to each other again. Before they could step out, Georgia flew into the entry, “Brex. A word.”

He shared a quick look with Alexander, who tipped his head. “I’ll prepare for the flight home. See you out there.” He turned and met my eyes. “Remember, Price, you can call me anytime you get into trouble. Buckingham does get a little monotonous.”

“Oh no,” Belle interjected. “We are all going to have quiet, simple lives from now on.”

Alexander bit back a bemused smile. “I’ll try.”

But as he stepped outside, his laughter echoed across the lawn. At least, he was developing a sense of humor about our fucked up lives.

A few minutes later, Brex marched across the foyer. His mouth was tightly drawn, and he forced a nod to both of us. “Good night.”

“Night,” we called after them.

Belle closed the door and sighed. “Will those two ever—”

“No,” Georgia interrupted, coming into the room through the same door Brex had just used. “Which is exactly what I told him. I’m going to go wash all the psychopath off me. Try not to let anyone crazy in your house while I’m gone.”

“That reminds me,” Belle said, her eyes darting between us. “Mrs. Winters is—”

“Mrs. Winters is what?” The housekeeper appeared as if she’d been summoned.

Belle froze and studied her for a moment. Finally, she squared her shoulders and asked, “Are you adopted?”

“What?” Mrs. Winters placed a hand over her heart.

“I’m sorry,” Belle added quickly. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“You...didn’t,” she said. “I don’t know why it matters, but yes. I never knew a family other than the Winters. I was only a baby when I went to them.”

My mouth hung open, but Georgia recovered quickly.

“Wait, you were adopted by the Winters, and you married a Winters?” she asked.

Mrs. Winters heaved a sigh, as though she was dealing with a lot of unruly children. “Housekeepers always go by missus—even the unmarried ones like me. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a mess to clean up.” She paused for a moment before looking at me. “I am glad you are okay, Mr. Price, and that the family is safe.”

“Thank you,” I murmured, meaning it.

“Do we tell her?” Belle asked after she’d left.