Bedmates Soulmates
CHAPTER 413

Kira took a deep breath, set the porcelain bowl down on the counter and turned around.

She looked up at Damian's solemn face and put both palms together in a pleading gesture. 'Mr Matthews, may I ask you a favour? Please?"

You do

don't want me to tell Austyn about you and Gideon."

"How'd you-Kira paused. 'I guess I shouldn't be surprised. You seem to know everything."

She lowered her eyes. 'Yes, that's what I was about to ask."

Damian knitted his brows. 'Why don't you want Austyn to know?"

"Whatever happened between me and Gideon was a long time ago. I don't want to dredge up the past.

If Austyn had to know about it, he should hear it from Kira, not anyone else

Besides, she never thought she'd see Gideon again in her life.

But that was before what happened yesterday at the hospital.

She got the sense th

that Gideon wouldn't go away so easily this time.

If he kept showing up in her life, she had to tell Austyn about him sooner or later.

Kira just needed to find the right time to do so,

Damian didn't know what the girl was thinking

He didn't feel right helping her keep a secret from Austyn.

Austyn was her husband; he had a right to know.

But it wasn't Damian's place to lecture her.

They were barely acquaintances.

So he just nodded. 'All right, I won't

t tell him. It's your call.'

Kira breathed out. 'Thank you.'

She couldn't help asking, "Why are you so interested in Gideon?"

So much so that he must have investigated Gideon in private.

"I'm not interested in him. I'm wary of him. Gideon is not a man to be trifled with. You're my friend's wife. I don't want to see you getting hurt by Gideon."

"I don't understand. Why do you think Gideon will hurt me?"

"Gideon Garner is shrewd, and he has a mean streak. He became the head of the Garner family at twenty years old, beating men twice his age. How do you think he accomplished that?' The Garner family had its base in the north

It had a thriving business empire on the surface, and contacts with the criminal underworld in private.

The mayor of Ourhlana was in their pocket.

Enemies of the Garner family either capitulated or disappeared.

Damian's voice turned serious. 'Gideon Garner is a dangerous man. It's best for you not to be mixed up with him'

Kira stared at him in disbelief.

Damian was making Gideon sound like a mafia boss.

Gideon was dangerous?

How could that be?

The young Gideon who lived with her and her father was jaunty, with a devil-may-care attitude.

He could act all prim and proper in front of others, but dropped the pretence when he was alone with Kira.

He was fond of playing childish pranks, like drawing a moustache on her face while she was sleeping. How could a prankster be dangerous?

And he was kind.

He fed the stray cats on their street and even dragged Kira along

When the neighbours needed a light bulb changed or a piece of furniture moved, they called him.

He criticised her cooking but still took her cupcakes and cookies to bake sales.

When Dad was too busy with work, Gideon was the one who went with her to the dentist's appointments and the marketplace. They d

didn't have a car, so they had to take the bus.

Gideon always carried the grocery bags.

He cheated on Kira, which made him a jerk.

But it didn't mean he was a bad person through and through

That would be an overgeneralisation.

She found Damian's words hard, nay impossible to believe

'What are you t

thinking about?' Damian's voice broke her reverie.

Kira decided to speak up for her old friend. 'I'm not sure why you think Gideon is dangerous, but I lived with him for four years and 1 have a different opinion. He can be a little aggressive at times, but he's not a crook' Spoiled Man-child

Damian pursed his lips. 'Miss Hewitt, I don't want to get in the middle of whatever it is that you have going on with Garner, but I

would like to say just one thing-Austyn is serious about you. Please don't hurt him

Kira smiled bitterly. "He's serious about me? Or about Deborah?

Just

because Austyn was being nice to her didn't mean his heart belonged to her.

Kira knew better than to fall into the trap of wishful thinking

Austyn carried Deborah's photo with him, not Kira's.

Damian fell silent.

Kira had a point.

Deborah would always have a special place in Austyn's heart.

Austyn was his friend, but it didn't mean Damian wanted to lie for him

"What smells so good?" Austyn strolled into the kitchen.

He raised an eyebrow when he saw Damian standing next to Kira with a towel for patits. "Morning"

"Morning."Damian nodded at him. I'll go get changed."

Damian left the couple alone.

Kira was stirring the pot with a long-handled ladle when Austyn hugged her from behind

She jumped. "What are you doing?

"Were you talking to Damian? His breath was hot against her neck.

'About what?"

*Nothing much. I asked him if I could use the kitchen. He said yes. Then you came in 'Kira squirmed. "Hey, let me go. I'm busy here Jesse rose from the sofa in the living room, stretched and yawned. The sofa was too small.

His back was sore.

He got up, padded into the bathroom, washed up, then padded out to the dining table and took a seat.

He leaned back in the chair and drummed a finger on the table, like an entitled customer waiting to be served.

He raised his chin when Kira came out of the kitchen with a tray. "Morning'

'Good morning' Kira was surprised to see the doctor.

She had not noticed him on the sofa just now,

"Aren't you

going to thank me? Jesse crussed his arms. 'I drove all the way here in a storm to tend to you."

Kira vaguely recalled what happened last night.

She said, "Thank you."

'That's more like it "Jesse stretched his neck to look at the tray, "What's for breakfast? I'm starving'

Kira served him oatmeal with cranberries and also cooking noodles. They'll be ready in a minute'

Jesse picked

dup a spoon "Okay. See if you can rustle up some pancakes. And I want a cup of coffee, tollowed by a banana smoothie "

Go rustle it up yourself, Austyninterjected.

He pulled Kira to sit

I down. Eat your breakfast.

Jesse ponted "But I want a smoothie

Mo get it yourself

Jesse slouched in the chair. 'My back is killing me, and I'm still tired from the long, long drive last night. You dragged me here. Can't you show a little compassion? Forget the smoothie. I just want a cup of coffee.' Austyn threw him a dirty look. "If you have the energy to complain, you have the energy to make your own coffee!

Jesse pulled a face. 'Why are you being so mean to me?"

Damian just shook his head and smiled.

Jun.

Kira stood up. "It's okay. I can get it for you."

She headed towards the kitchen before Austyn could stop her.

Jesse had a smug smile on his face. 'Your wife is more considerate than you."

Austyn glared at him.

Jesse pretended not to notice,

Austyn did not say another word throughout breakfast.

Jesse slurped his coffee loudly, smacking his lips as if this was the best cup of joe he'd ever had.

He took his time with the coffee, ignoring the death stare from Austyn

Kira was amused by their childish game.

Damian ate his noodles quietly.