“Good morning,” she said, entering without knocking. After the weekend she’d had, she couldn’t wait to see him.
He stood at his desk, wearing a dark tee shirt and a pair of old jeans. He didn’t look up when she spoke, and her stomach pitched uncomfortably.
“Put the coffee down,” he said.
“Look, I know I wasn’t able to come over Saturday night, and I didn’t explain, but I will.” She’d decided that it was time to tell him about her sister’s battle with mental illness and all the ways it had impacted her life.
“You think that’s all you have to explain?” he asked coolly, his gaze cold.
She shivered at the harshness in his tone that she didn’t understand. “Kade…”
“Have you seen my watch?” he asked, abruptly changing the subject.
“What?”
“My watch.” He tapped his wrist. “The one I keep on my nightstand,” he said, his gaze never leaving her face.
She felt scrutinized and uncomfortable, and she folded her arms across her chest in a defensive gesture. “Well, I saw it the last time we were together at your apartment.” He liked to touch the surface while he talked. It was part of his morning routine too.
“What about Saturday? When you dropped off the dry cleaning? Did you see it then?”
“No. I went directly to your closet and put away your clothes. Then I threw the plastic into the trash and I left. Why?”
He studied her, his jaw clenched tight.
“Well?”
“Because it’s missing.”
Her breath left on a harsh exhale. “And you think I stole it?” she asked, her voice cracking along with her heart. “How could you accuse me of something like that?”
He strode around the desk, crossing his arms over his chest, mimicking her stance. “Because I know for a fact I saw the timepiece Saturday morning, and you were the only one to enter the apartment between the time I left and when I reached for it the next morning.”
Not the only one, she thought, realizing that her sister had not only been with her but she’d entered the bedroom while Lexie was in the closet. Her body went cold, and fear permeated her insides. Oh my God, no wonder Kendall’s behavior had changed the minute they’d left Kade’s place. Kendall had been antsy and claimed she had a headache and needed to lie down, but instead she’d gone out to meet her new boyfriend. Could he have something to do with her sister stealing? Kendall had her issues, but she’d never resorted to theft. Then again, Lexie didn’t know how much money Kendall owed on her recent purchases.
Nausea filled her throat.
“Nothing to say?” Kade asked sarcastically.
“I didn’t take the watch,” she said, hearing the pleading in her voice. “I swear. But—”
He held up a hand, cutting her off before she could explain. And she was going to do just that. Tell him all about Kendall and beg him not to press charges because her twin was sick and needed help.
“No excuses. I don’t want to hear them. This is all I needed to see.” He pulled his phone from his back pocket, hit a few buttons, and held it up in front of her eyes.
There, on the screen, was a photo of Kendall, in the same clothes she’d worn Saturday, holding hands with a man who must be her boyfriend. “That’s—”
“You and Julian Dane, the man suing me and my partners. I have eyes,” Kade said, not withholding the sarcasm.
She let out a sound of distress. “No,” she whispered, the pieces of a puzzle she hadn’t known she was putting together finally falling into place. Kendall’s new boyfriend, Jay, was Julian.
“Yes. I know everything. You’ve been a busy woman, screwing me at the same time you’re fucking him,” Kade spat.
She flinched at both the ugly accusations and the cold, unfeeling tone of voice. It was as if they’d never been intimate, his body had never been full and thick inside hers.
Dizziness assaulted her, and she fell against the desk, needing something to keep her upright. “It’s not me.”
Kade frowned. “Like I said, I’m not blind. Get your things and get the fuck out.”
“Whoa.” Derek walked into the room and slammed the door behind them.
“I can handle this,” Kade said.
“I don’t think so. The whole office can hear what’s going on in here, and you’re not normally one to air your dirty laundry.”
Lexie pulled herself together and stood up straight. “I have a twin.” She cleared her throat.
“What?” Kade spun to face her.
“I have a twin.” She spoke louder. “And I know this looks bad on so many levels, but she’s sick. I can’t explain now but I will. I just have to talk to her first.” She had to find out what was going on and whether Kendall was a willing participant in Julian’s scheme, or if she was being used as well.
Then, once Kade calmed down, she’d have to convince him not to press charges against her twin. She turned and headed for the exit, opened the door and ran out.
Ignoring the stares of the other employees as she passed, she headed for the elevator and took it downstairs.
She couldn’t bring herself to think about the relationship she’d finally allowed herself to have and how it had just crumbled around her. Nor could she begin to process how cruel and mean Kade had been to her, the things he’d thought her capable of. And he’d had good reason to believe them. She couldn’t even call his assumptions unreasonable or overreactions.
God, when would her twin stop messing up the things in her life that meant something to her? When Lexie stopped letting her, a small voice inside her said. Lexie understood, but she just wasn’t sure she knew how to cut the tie that bound them and let Kendall flounder on her own. And once again, that meant giving up her wants and desires in favor of taking care of her sister.
* * *
Kade stared at the door Lexie had just run through, stunned by her words. “A twin? A fucking twin?” he asked, feeling as though he had whiplash.
Derek spread his hands in front of him. “I didn’t know, man. But what are you doing? Go after her.”
Since Kade obviously wasn’t capable of thinking for himself, he listened to his best friend and took off after Lexie. He caught up with her downstairs, as she attempted to hail a cab, but because it was still morning rush hour, fate was on Kade’s side and they were all full.
“Lexie, wait.”
She must have heard his voice because she stilled.
“Lexie.”
Slowly, she turned, and the look on her face absolutely gutted him. Pain was evident in her sad eyes and hurt showed in her expression.
“What is it?” she asked. “Because I need to talk to my sister and figure out what’s going on. I’ll get your watch back somehow and make things right. Just please, please don’t call the police?” she asked, begging him on her twin’s behalf.
She obviously didn’t know why her sister had stolen his watch or how she’d come to be with Julian, but she was going to protect her with every fiber of her being. A big part of Kade admired her for her loyalty in the face of pretty damning evidence. Because at one time he’d had a younger brother who was like a twin to him. One he’d have done anything for.
He exhaled hard. “I’m not calling the police. I just think we should talk too.” There was so much he didn’t know or understand, and he couldn’t just let her go with the ugly words he’d said hanging between them.
“But Kendall—”
He assumed that was her sister’s name. “You can talk to her later. Nothing is going to change between now and then. Please.” He dug deep for that last word.
Despite now knowing Lexie hadn’t betrayed him, he’d spent twenty-four hours thinking she had. And it had been too damned easy for him to believe the worst. He needed to figure out what that said about himself, that he was willing to throw her out without listening to an explanation after the things they’d shared. But first he needed the whole story.
She blew out a long breath. “Oka
y. I owe you a conversation, at the very least.”
He didn’t want her here because she owed him, but the truth was he didn’t know what he needed or wanted besides an explanation.
They started to walk. “I told you about my mother’s depression,” she said.
“Yes. And you did mention that you had a sister. You just never said twin.”
He glanced her way, but she’d dipped her head, and when she spoke, it was low and difficult to hear. “Sometimes I just want to forget, you know? I want to pretend that my life is normal, that I can have friends and a serious relationship without having to drop everything at a moment’s notice because Kendall is bipolar and spiraling out of control. I know better, of course, and today proved it. But for the short time I knew I’d have with you, I wanted it to be about just … us.”
Without thought, he reached over and grabbed her hand, needing to feel her, to be closer, to show her he understood.
“When we got together, I told you my life was complicated and I wasn’t looking for anything serious. She’s why.”
They reached a corner and stopped, waiting for the red light to change to green before crossing and continuing on. They passed people walking dogs, vendors selling pretzels, bagels, and soft-drinks, and life went on as normal in the busy city. Except Kade didn’t feel normal anymore.
Everything had done a one-eighty, and given how much he detested change, his insides were churning and panic was setting in. When this was over, losing her was a very real possibility, and that wasn’t something he was ready to deal with.
“Listen, now that you understand, I really need to talk to her.”
“I’m coming with you,” he said, deciding as he spoke.
She came to a halt and turned to face him. “What? You can’t. She’ll take one look at you and freak out.”
“Or she’ll take one look at me and spill her guts. What are the chances she’ll tell you everything if you’re alone?” he asked, willing himself to ignore the fear in her eyes.
She didn’t reply, letting him know he was right. Besides, he wasn’t going to hurt her sister. He just wanted answers. More than that, though, he didn’t want Lexie to face this alone.
Maybe he was a nicer guy than he’d thought. Or maybe this woman meant more to him than he wanted to believe.
* * *
Lexie’s stomach churned as she and Kade took a cab to her apartment. She didn’t know what awaited her any more than she understood why he insisted on being there. She could handle her sister. But he did have a point. Kendall was more likely to cave if Kade was there, and she was intimidated by his presence. She didn’t have to like it though.
A little while later, she let them into her place, realizing it was the first time Kade had been there. Subconsciously she’d been avoiding allowing her worlds to collide in any way. And that had been a mistake, she realized now. Not just because the distance she’d created had allowed Kendall to run amok in Kade’s life, the very opposite of Lexie’s intentions, but because what kind of relationship could they have had if she didn’t share everything?
She pursed her lips at that thought and stepped inside.
“Kendall?” she called out. She’d left her sister at home in bed this morning, recovering from the migraine. She’d said she had no plans to leave the apartment. “Kendall?”
“What’s with all the racket?” Her twin stepped out of her room wearing an old sleep shirt and a pair of sweats. “Oh! Who’s this?” she asked, pushing her hair out of her eyes and looking Kade over, appreciation in her gaze.
Lexie drew a deep breath, aware of his large, looming presence behind her. “Kendall, this is my … boss, Kaden Barnes,” she said, deliberately keeping things professional. “Kade, this is my sister, Kendall.”
“Nice to meet you,” Kade said, stepping up beside Lexie.
Her twin’s eyes popped open wide. “Oh. Hi. Well, then, I’ll just leave you two alone.” She spun around with the obvious intention of closing herself back in her room.
“Kendall, we need to talk to you,” Lexie said.
Her sister’s steps slowed. “I’m not feeling well,” she mumbled without turning back to face them.
“I’m sure you’re not,” Lexie murmured.
Kade put a hand on her shoulder, and despite the absurdity of the entire situation, she appreciated his attempt to support her.
“Come on, Kendall. Let’s all sit down,” Lexie insisted.
Shoulders slumped, Kendall followed them over to the couch, and they all settled in, Kade in the big club chair in the corner.
“Kade, really, I can talk to her alone,” Lexie tried once more.
“No.” He remained in his seat, but he didn’t attempt to lead the conversation, allowing Lexie to jump in.
“Kendall, what do you know about your boyfriend?” Lexie opted to start with a broad question and not an accusation. She’d get there. Somehow.
“Jay?” Kendall asked, clearly startled by the subject. “I told you. We met at the gym. He’s been good to me. Well, until yesterday,” she muttered. “Haven’t heard from him since I saw him on Saturday, and he hasn’t replied to my texts about being in the hospital on Saturday night,” she said, obviously hurt by his neglect.
Lexie shot Kade a concerned glance.
“What’s Jay’s last name?” Kade asked her.
“Dane. Why?”
“I’ll explain in a minute.” Lexie closed her eyes and shook her head, wishing she’d asked that question sooner. Still, there was no telling whether she’d have made the connection.
Now for the tougher question. “Did you steal—take—Kade’s watch off his dresser yesterday?” Lexie asked.
“What? How could you even ask me that?” Kendall jumped up from her seat, hurt in her eyes. “Lexie, really? You’re accusing me of stealing?”
“Sit down,” Kade said, speaking up for the first time. “And have some respect for your sister by telling the truth. If you don’t want me to call the cops, you’ll talk to us.”
“Kade!” Lexie didn’t want him attacking her twin.
“Pussyfooting around isn’t going to solve anything. Kendall, did you take the watch?” he asked her.
Her sister’s shoulders slumped again. “Yes, okay? I overspent on a credit card and—”
“I thought you cut up all your cards,” Lexie interrupted.
“Yeah, well, I got another one,” Kendall said without meeting Lexie’s gaze. “And things got out of control. You won’t give me more than the bare necessities to live. Dad wouldn’t help me out. I was desperate. Jay said you wouldn’t miss it if I took a little something,” Kendall said, shaking as she spoke.
She lowered herself back into her seat, head hung low.
“How did Jay know anything about Kade at all?” Lexie asked.
“He asked a lot of questions about you,” Kendall said to Lexie. “He wanted to get to know me better and was interested in my family. Why is that a problem?” she asked defensively.
“When?” Kade asked. “When did he start asking questions?”
Kendall met his gaze. “After your picture showed up on Page Six with Lexie.”
“Fuck,” Kade muttered.
“What?” Kendall asked.
Lexie glanced at him, waiting for him to explain.
Kade rubbed his finger over the casing of his watch. “I’m going to assume Julian had someone watching me. Someone who knew about us before the gala. Probably after you spent the night that first time after my accident.” He held up his injured hand. “I’m sure he looked into you,” he said to Lexie. “It’s what I would have done. Hell, it’s what I was doing and how I found out about Julian and Kendall,” Kade muttered. “And Julian probably introduced himself to your sister right after the PI gave him the info.”
“Who is this Julian?” Kendall asked, perplexed and wary.
Lexie slid closer to her sister and put an arm around her shoulder. Because no matter what Kendall had done, she was her twin, and thi
s news was going to hurt. “Julian is Jay’s real name. And Julian is suing Kade for a piece of his company. I’m sorry, honey, but he was using you to get to Kade through me.”
Kendall met her gaze, identical watery blue eyes staring back at her. “He used me? He set me up from the beginning?”
Lexie nodded.
“What happened after he saw the Page Six picture?” Kade asked.
“He started talking about how much money Kade must have, and when I said I had financial problems, he told me if I took something from the apartment, a guy like Kade had so much he would never miss it. He suggested it often, and I was desperate enough to do it.” She pulled at her sweats over and over. “I got myself in deep and I kept spending. I hit my limit but the bill was coming in.” She started to cry. “I didn’t mean to steal. Jay said it wouldn’t hurt anyone, and I wanted to believe it.”
Lexie pulled her twin against her, looking at Kade over her sister’s trembling body. “I’m going to kill him,” she muttered.
“Not if I get to him first. Kendall,” Kade said in a gentler voice, “you said you haven’t heard from him since Saturday. What happened Saturday?”
“I gave him the watch to pawn, and he said he’d get me the money. He hasn’t gotten back to me. He always answers right away, and now it’s like he’s disappeared.” She sniffed and pulled away. “I feel so stupid.”
“Don’t. He set you up and used you. There’s no way you could have known.”
“I’ll find Julian and take care of things,” Kade said, rising from his seat.
“Wait. I stole from you,” Kendall said, her voice rising, as if realizing what she’d done for the first time. “Oh my God. Are you going to call the police?” She jumped up in a panic.
Lexie rose to her feet too. “Kade said he wouldn’t,” she told her sister, looking to him for reassurance.
He nodded, indicating he planned to keep his promise, and she breathed a long sigh of relief. He paused, as if waiting for her to say something more, but she was spent, lost, and hurting. And Kendall was silently sobbing in relief, hanging on to Lexie with everything she had.
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