CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

Lara observed her fiance and their daughter with a keen eye. Something was going on, with those two.

Nate was proud of his daughter. So much that his chest was swollen and his eyes shining every time he glanced at her. As a result, even though she likely had no idea why, Scarlet was proud of herself.

It was funny to look at, and Lara hoped it didn't backfire later.

She loved when her kids and boyfriend went along, even if she didn't know the reasons every time. It was fine if they had their secrets, and she was content they had accepted each other so much.

She turned to Jaden, worried he would feel jealous of his sister, but the little boy was calm. He was eating his portion, smiling at his mommy and requiring simple attention like cutting his beef or cleaning his face from food.

He had been a perfect gentleman, that morning at the gallery. She was also so proud of him, but it was sort of normal.

What was happening to Nate and Scarlet had a specific cause.

«What have you two done?» she inquired when she couldn't keep her curiosity in check anymore.

«We ate ice cream,» Scarlet said. She sighed, making her shoulders raise up at the memory. She was so proud of that ice cream, wasn't she?

«Was it especially good?» Lara continued.

«Not really. Regular. The shop in the centre makes it better.»

«Where were you?»

«Daddy brought me to a park. I played with the swindle and there was this one game with bars where you hang.»

«With what you played?»

«The swindle.»

«Do you mean the swing, Scarlet?» Lara chuckled.

Scarlet stopped her narration, turning to Nate in search of help.

«What was it, daddy?» she moaned.

«The swing,» he sighed. It had been too cute to correct her, that afternoon. And she had put her uncle in his place, so she deserved some rest from using her brain and learning new words.

She had played alone, which was funny to watch.

«Daddy also pushed me,» she said. «It was fun.»

«I see,» Lara said. «You two had fun.»

«Yes, except when that uncle-man who didn't give us your money.» Enjoy exclusive content from empire

Nate froze in his place, the fork on the plate but his mind worked hard to overcome yet another challenge. How to get out of there?

«I wasn't hiding it,» Nate said. «Just, it's not as relevant as to talk about it first thing after coming back.»

«What did my brother want?» Lara asked, her tone suddenly cold. «Money?»

«No, mommy. He wanted to give you back your money, but he had forgotten it in the car. He went to take it, but he must have gotten lost because he didn't come back. I waited for him, but daddy said I should try the swindle...»

«Did he say swindle?»

«Swing!» Nate intruded. «I said swing!»

«So, he just happened to be there?» Lara continued. «Did he follow you, by any chance?»

«I hope not,» Nate said. «But our location was known to the press, even though they don't dare approach us.»

«I forgot about him,» Lara confessed, slightly embarrassed. She had been so focused on her family that she hadn't thought her parents or brother would intrude in her life yet once again.

«It's okay. It's not like I wasn't expecting it, but you don't need to remember about them. They can't hurt you anymore. Not now that they've revealed everything they could. They have nothing more to keep a hold on you.»

«They didn't have it before either, but I feel lighter now. I like showing my kids around,» she murmured.

She hadn't told Nate about what had happened with Luther and who had leaked the news, and she wasn't sure how to proceed. She didn't want to hide it, but she was afraid of what Nate and the pack would have done if they realised Luther knew they were wolves.

That secret was one he would reveal for nothing in the world, she was sure. Not even by mistake.

However, was it right to keep Nate in the dark?

Regardless, it was a conversation for when they were alone and not in front of the kids.

«It was not my parents' doing,» he said. «They didn't even know I had twins.»

Nate blinked, surprised.

«I will tell you everything later, okay?» she said.

Nate nodded, cutting the beef for Jaden. He was eating surprisingly well: was he planning to grow up fast and beat him in a fight? Nate had heard about it from Samantha, and he found it funny.

But it also made him smile. His son would have become a good man, growing up. A little dangerous to his father, but no one could be perfect.

«It's a pity,» Nate said, returning to the topic. They were talking about who had leaked the news about the twins, and there was only one person he could think of. Only one variable was not present before.

Yet, if Lara was calm and wished to talk, it meant there was more to the story. He would have noticed the pain of being betrayed by the only member of her family she still cared about.

Either it had been an incident, or Luther had valid reasons. Which reasons those could be, Nate had no clue. He couldn't even imagine what could push a man to put kids in danger.

Not for petty revenge.

«Is he really our uncle, mommy?» Scarlet asked, realising there was something going on. «So, do we have two uncles?»

«No,» Lara said. «He might be my brother, but one should earn the right to be an uncle. Your only uncle is aunty Sam's husband.»

«I like uncle Renato more,» Scarlet said. «But why don't you like your brother, mommy?»

She turned to Jaden, trying to imagine a world where they weren't inseparable. She tried imagining what she would have done if Jaden stole one of her shiny stones, but she couldn't.

Unfortunately, her brother wouldn't do that ever.