Bedmates Soulmates

They Are Not My Family

They Are Not My Family

'He married me because he's trying to protect... Kayleigh, I think."

"What?" Jesse stared at her in disbelief. 'What does it have to do with Kayleigh?'

"You know she's an actress?'

'Sure."

'Then you know she can't afford to let her relationship with Austyn come to light. She's at the peak of her career now. She's a celebrity. Millions of her fans-male fans, I guess-would be heartbroken if they know. she's in a serious relationship. It would shatter their dreams. She might end up losing a huge chunk of her fanbase. So I guess that's why Austyn married me, to protect her."

Jesse didn't know whether to laugh or to snort.

The girl had a serious look on her face.

She truly believed in what she was saying.

But how could she think up such a...weird, illogical, just plain absurd reason?

Was there a brain behind that pretty face?

On second thought, however, Jesse decided that this might be a good thing.

Whether she was being deliberately obtuse or was truly as ingenuous as she looked, it was clear that she didn't have any designs on Austyn.

If she honestly did not love Austyn, so much the better

For both of them.

Though his warning earlier was delivered in jest, he'd meant it..

Austyn was not an easy man to love.

'I should get going. Kira shot out of her chair when she noticed Jesse lost in thought. Thank you for your time. And the ointment. Please send me the bill." She made for the door.

'Think, Kira.' Jesse called her name for the first time. 'If Austyn's in love with Kayleigh, why would he marry you?"

The physician didn't know what had gotten into him.

He was prepared to keep quiet on the subject.

It was none of his business.

But there was just something about the girl's open, guileless face that pricked at his conscience.

It wasn't right to keep her in the dark.

Kira's hand paused on the doorknob.

"When a man loves a woman, he'll do everything in his power to protect her. If Austyn loves Kayleigh, he would have hurt her more than anyone else by getting married to you." Kira looked at him blankly.

They Are Not My Family

What was he saying?

That Austyn didn't love Kayleigh?

But how could that be?

She saw them on TV with her own eyes.

The entertainment news anchor called Austyn and Kayleigh "the perfect match."

If that could be dismissed as tabloid gossip, what about the night at The Analogue?

She was crouched gracelessly on a toilet seat in a cubicle, while Kayleigh seduced the man in her sultry," come and ravish me' voice.

Kayleigh called her for a showdown and told Kira, in no uncertain terms, that she and Austyn had something special.

They were together for years, she told Kira.

Way before Kira arrived on the scene.

'Well, that's all I have to say on the matter," Jesse said. Miss Hewitt, I have matters to tend to, if you'll

excuse me."

'S. sure.

Kira turned the doorknob and went out in a daze.

She walked on autopilot and didn't snap out of her trance till she saw the man leaning against the wall, outside her father's ward. Kira shook her head to chase away the wild thoughts.

Dr Chase was a stranger.

She shouldn't put too much stock in what he said.

Austyn's dark eyes fell on her.

Kira wanted to duck for cover.

The man's unblinking gaze was unnerving.novelbin

Her heart fluttered.

Kira picked up her pace and was about to enter the ward when he blocked her path with those long legs of his. 'What did Jesse say?"

Kira averted her eyes. 'It's just superficial wounds. I'm fine."

"Okay." He ran his eyes over her.

The swelling on her face had gone down a bit.

The scratches on her arms were covered in a thin film of green, minty-smelling ointment.

Now can you tell me who the two women are?"

Kira wanted to say no, but the man had just got her out of a jam.

She eyed her father's peaceful face a few steps away. "That's my mother and my half-sister."

Austyn stepped back and creased his brows.

They were his mother-in-law and sister-in-law? They Are Not My Family:

Did he just have a face-off with his in-laws?

The vein in his forehead started popping again.

Austyn took a deep breath. 'Do you blame me?"

'What?' Kira looked up in surprise. "Why would I blame you?"

"For hurting your family."

Austyn had not been gentle with those two.

If Kira hadn't spoken up for them, he would have gone much further.

She gave an indifferent shrug. They are not my family Families don't turn on each other. Biologically, that woman's my mother, but for all practical purposes, she's dead to me." Austyn listened with an expressionless face and a pounding heart.

'A girl after my own heart!' he shouted to himself. 'Not one of those weak, infuriatingly forgiving saints who turn the other cheek. This girl's ruthless, just like me!' Austyn stared at her.

Even with a swollen cheek, she was beautiful.

'Last name?"

"Huh?"

""Your mother's last name."

'Her maiden name's Raynor. Helen Raynor. Though I suspect she's taken her husband's name now- Vaughn. My half-sister's name is Georgina Vaugh."

Kira gave him a quizzical look. 'Why do you want to know?"

'Just curious. Not important.' He tipped his chin at the paper in her hand. 'Is that your prescription?"

"Yes."

Austyn took the paper from her hand. 'Let's go in."

Kira wondered what he was going to do with her prescription, but soon tossed that thought aside. Austyn remained one step behind her.

When Kira was out of earshot, he turned around and thrust the paper into Kal's waiting hand.

"You heard the names,' he said quietly. 'Check them out.

"Yes, Boss."

Blackbit Thom