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My fork paused on the way to my mouth. It stung thinking about Trenda’s marriage. I’d been married six years longer than she had. I’d always considered myself the luckiest of my sisters in the love stakes. It hurt thinking that my marriage might be coming to an end.
“What is it?”
“Nothing.”
Zoe gave me a long look, then resumed eating. I loved my twin.
“Wanna hear more about Russian mobsters?” she finally asked with a twinkle in her eye.
“God yes.”
“First, there’s another Drakos in town.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me. Is it one of Jase’s sixteen brothers or sisters who decided to move here?”
“Nope, a cousin. Code Drakos. Retired military. High up, cyber security. Angelica, you remember her, right?”
I nodded. “Who could forget her? What about her?”
“She brought a movie star friend of hers to town to hide out. Somebody was doing something computery to blackmail her, and Cousin Code. Who’s a hottie, by the way.”
“All the Drakos men have been hotties.”
“Oh yeah,” Zoe put her elbow on the table and rested her chin on her hand. “I’m wondering if they’ve got another one up their sleeve that I can meet.”
“Yeah sure. You’re just waiting around to settle down.”
“Who said anything about settling down? I’m talking a fun and lustful affair.”
I rolled my eyes. “Tell me about the Russian mobsters.”
“Apparently Kit Lord was being chased by them because of the computer blackmail.”
“I saw something on the news about that. I still can’t believe she was here.”
“Yep. To hear Miss Florence tell it, she single-handedly saved Kit from the Russians and saved her life.”
“Are you sure Miss Florence isn’t finally losing it?”
“No, it’s legit. Simon, Roan, and Code set it up so Little Grandma, Ruby, and Miss Florence led them off the trail, Jasper Creek style.”
“Sorry I missed it.”
“You wouldn’t have missed it if you were home where you’re supposed to be.”
“Subtle, little sister, really subtle.”
“Just because you’re seven minutes older, doesn’t make you wiser.” Zoe sighed. “I’m the smarter one in this situation. There’s something else, isn’t there? Is it Zarek?” Zoe’s expression was shocked. “It can’t be Zarek. You were meant to be together.”
“Three weeks ago, I had a check-up with my OB. I can’t carry a baby to term.”
Zoe’s fingers crushed mine. I continued. “There was damage. Scar tissue. My body doesn’t respond the way it’s supposed to. It treats pregnancy like something dangerous instead of something it can hold.”
“So that’s what’s going on now. That’s your real pain,” Zoe whispered.
I nodded.
“Have you told Zarek?”
