Enemy's Secret - Ashlee Price Page 0,49

It seems like every time my mind starts to at all catch up, events outpace it even more.

"I know it's a big thing to say now, and it's still way early," he says. "I don't expect an answer now or even soon. I just wanted you to know where I see myself standing now."

"OK."

There I go again...

"Although I do have one request," he adds.

My heart drops. Here it is. Classic Landon.

Give a little and take a whole lot more.

Chapter 18

Landon

"I haven't even agreed that we're getting back together," Kyra points out smoothly.

"Hear me out," I say. "Rex Tygone, the director of Disney World, is an old friend of Dad's. He sends us about ten free Disney World passes every year. I'd like to take you and Madison this weekend."

Silence.

I glare at the half-finished stir-fry on the table in front of me.

Shit.

Emerson just reminded me about the passes this afternoon. But it was an idiot move, telling her right now. I could've waited on it.

"You don't have to do that," Kyra says, voice still guarded.

"I want to."

Take it back while you still can.

"I don't know," she says.

Too late - just run with it.

"You don't have to. There's a few more days in the week. Anyway, my brothers are going, Harley too. Thought it could be fun."

"If Goldtree Inc. found out - "

"How would they find out?" I ask her. "I'm not about to tell them. Are you?"

"No, but it's not that simple, Landon."

"Which is why you have several days to decide."

Now I'm starting to sound like a lawyer myself.

"True," Kyra says.

I pace along my kitchen floor. Fuck.

This conversation is not going how I wanted. Or expected. Not that I expected her to agree immediately.

"If it's such a big deal to you," I point out, "you could pay for you and Madison. I'd rather treat you, but if you insist - "

"I'm going to need to sleep on it, at least," she says.

A pause.

"It is really nice of you to offer, though. Madison's been wanting to go for ages, but we just never found the time."

"Now's the time."

"We'll see," she says, a smile in her voice. "But I do have to go now. Night, Landon."

"Night, Kyra," I say, "Sweet dreams."

And then she's hung up, and it's me and my half-finished stir-fry.

Today was... Weird. Fun.

I've never been a kid guy, but Madison was cool. A tough cookie, just like her mother. There's something familiar about her - but maybe it's just because she has Kyra's dark hair and pale skin.

And this weekend... we'll see.

I end up shooting a text to Greyson: Kyra and her daughter may come this weekend.

Who knows, maybe he or Harley knows some good activities for kids. God knows I'm clueless.

I end up passing out on the couch and awaking to a knock.

What the hell time is it?

I peer through the peephole, and, seeing who it is, groan.

"This is a brothertervention," Nolan says, striding in as soon as I open the door.

He's wearing matching red sweats with white lines down the sides, his long hair pulled into a man bun, and a firm grin that I know is going to give me grief.

"Hello to you too," I say, annoyed already.

"Sorry," Emerson says, the expression on his blond head a bit sheepish. He's dressed in his usual khakis and pastel button-up. "Nolan said it was an emergency."

Nolan spins around to glare at me. "You are not taking her on our annual Storm Disney Trip."

My glare goes to Greyson, who looks as weary as I'm feeling. "You told them."

He shrugs. "I didn't know it was some big secret. They would've found out when she showed up, anyway."

"Why are you even still dating her, bro?" Nolan demands, sitting in my seat and starting on my stir-fry. "That woman is bad news. And she has a kid."

"I've got the situation handled," I say tersely.

"Then why are we losing the court case?" Nolan shoots back. "Handled means winning. This woman is doing cartwheels around us in there."

"Could it maybe have something to do with the fact that Dad is guilty?" My voice is rising though I didn't intend it to. "That maybe now some of his past transgressions are finally catching up with us?"

"Fuck off." Nolan fixes me with an angry glare. "Are you a Storm or not?"

"I am," I say, glaring right back at him. Sometimes it's disconcerting, seeing him with the same expression I have. Like looking into a mirror. "Which doesn't mean I have to deny facts. I'm not prepared to make