Read Online Blake, Abby - Keen Inclination [A Bride for Eight Brothers 4] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) by Abby Blake - Free Book Online Page A

what it could be about?”
    “Jessie Evans.”
    “Seriously? I thought the courts settled that already.”
    “So did I,” Mikayla said, “but we ran into her in New York and Brock and John hid me in a clothing store, and I sort of…well I sort of let them.”
    Tracey looked at her as if she’d grown a second head.
    “I know,” Mikayla said in answer to the unasked question, “but I was just feeling so worn out, and it seemed easier to let them take care of me than face whatever vitriol that woman wanted to hurl.”
    Tracey leaned back in her chair and watched Mikayla for a moment. “I’ll accept that. You were tired and sad, but what’s your excuse now?”
    Mikayla grimaced at Tracey’s easy summation of her current predicament. How many times had she explained her need to retain her independence amid eight husbands? Yes, she’d been tired and unhappy, but that wasn’t the case anymore, and she really didn’t have any excuse for remaining in the dark.
    “I guess I need to go hunt down some answers,” she said, feeling a rueful smile spread across her face.
    “Now that’s the Mikayla I know.”
    Mikayla waved to her friend as she leaned over to close the connection. “Thanks for reminding me.”

Chapter Seven

    She marched into his office just the way she used to. Lachlan sat back in his chair and threaded his fingers together as he waited for her to say what was on her mind. She looked beautiful. The fear and stress she’d struggled with was gone and the vibrant, passionate woman was back—at least for the moment.
    “I need to know,” she stated bluntly.
    “Agreed,” he said and watched as her determination morphed into delight. As much as he wanted to protect her, she had a right to know the accusations that were being launched in her direction. Knowing that she wanted to know made it so much easier to treat her the way he always had.
    She crossed her arms and waited for him to explain.
    “Jessie Evans is claiming that you are not Mikayla Noone.” He watched her smile falter and then her face flush with anger.
    “That heinous, callous bitch. I suppose she managed to figure out that Mikayla Noone wasn’t my name until I turned eighteen. Did she figure out who I was? Did she fill you in on all the sordid details?”
    She was shaking and looked ready to wring the woman’s neck, but all Lachlan could think was how proud he was of her. Instead of letting the woman undermine her, Mikayla was ready to kick some ass.
    “No, she didn’t,” Bryce said from the doorway. “She doesn’t know your real name.”
    “My real name,” she said, emphasizing the word “real” with an almost growl, “is Mikayla Davidson.” She turned to face Bryce and Matt as they came in the room. “Before I married you my name was Mikayla Noone. Noone as in No One. Who I was before that is none of her goddamn business.”
    “I totally agree,” Bryce said affably. Mikayla was holding her jaw so tightly that Lachlan was beginning to fear for her teeth. “But the courts might think otherwise.”
    “Why?” she asked, obviously irritated beyond measure.
    “Because Jessie Evans is claiming that our marriages are not legal and that we provided false information to the courts the last time.”
    “Oh for fuck’s sake,” she said, sounding completely and totally exasperated. “Jessie Evans is a fucking cow.” Lachlan really wanted to spank her ass for swearing but couldn’t quite wipe the broad smile off his own face. When his wife had a reason she was quite magnificent in her anger. “Call our lawyer. Tell him to contact this man,” she said as she typed a name and contact details into Lachlan’s data tablet. “He will confirm that my details are sealed and none of Jessie Evans’s goddamn business.”
    “Okay,” Lachlan said happily, “problem solved. Thanks, Mikayla.”
    She looked shocked by his answer. Jessie Evans deserved every harsh word that came out of Mikayla’s mouth, but he was happy to let the