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Ryder shuts the front door then turns back to et it from somewhere” I pick up the decorative pillow beside me and throw it at him, and of course, he catches it easily “And she must have a violent side, too” He smirks

“Well-deserved violence” I s ain

He chuckles before his expression and voice becoht?”

“Of course she is,” I reply “You’re like a mom’s dream come true”

“Yeah, right” Alex barks a loud laugh, taking a seat in the chair next toher laptop on her knees

“The laughing really isn’t necessary,” Ryder says with a glare, and then glances at ain

As he heads off to the kitchen, I glance back at Alex This visit is a surprise and sets off all my alarms “Not that I’m not happy to see you, Alex, but I can only assu for me”

Her eyes stay fixated on the screen and her fingers fly across the keyboard “You’re right, I do”

I pause, hearing so on in the kitchen, and wait for Alex to continue She doesn’t, but then I spot Ryder returning from the kitchen with a coffee cup in his hand “So…does anyone want to let me in on the secret?” I inquire

Ryder drops down next to

“Good or bad?” I ask, not sure I even should

“Well…” Alex drawls, finally looking away fro your current situation could be classified as good or bad It’s s—“and then some terrible news”

I glance sideways at Ryder “Is she always so brutally honest?”

“Yes” He s his dimple “But you’ll come to appreciate that about her, believe me”

I find that hard to believe, I want to say Instead I give a tight smile