Our Secret To Keep.

Chapter Forty-Two - She Doesn't Need to Know Right Now.

Kade

I am on my way out to pick Blythe up to head to Oban for our weekend. We are driving. We were going to take the train, but changed our minds. I am excited for it. It is a chance for us to relax. We booked into a hotel that looks right onto the harbour. It is beautiful. She stayed at her place last night because if she stayed with me or I stayed with her, we would have been up late, which wouldn't be ideal since it is not even seven in the morning, and I am going to get her. It was the best choice for us. We wanted to leave early because it takes over three hours to drive there, and we paid extra for an early check-in rather than waiting until two. It gives us the full day to do as we please without worrying about our bags. Our check-in time is ten-thirty. If we are a little late, it won't matter.

I double-check that everything is off and that I haven't forgotten anything. Once I know everything is fine, I open the front door, but before I can step out, an envelope is on the welcome mat. It has my name on it, nothing else, which means someone hand-delivered it since there is no postal stamp. Strange. I have no idea what it could be. I glance around to see if there is anyone, but there isn't a soul in sight.

I reach down to pick it up and open it. I slip my hand into the envelope and pull out the contents. The first thing I see is two photographs of Blythe and me. One looks like we are in my place, and the other is at a restaurant where we had dinner last week. What the fuck? What creep is taking photos inside my place? They must be using a hell of a zoom. It isn't like I am on a low floor. I dip my hand back into the envelope to see if there is anything else, and find what feels like paper. I take that out too. The writing on it is typed up.

You can't keep it a secret forever. Break up with her, or I will make sure everyone at your office knows what is going on, including her father. I am sure he won't be happy when he finds out the truth about your past with other women.

What the actual fuck? What nonsense is this? I can't help but laugh at how pathetic it is. If you are going to try to blackmail someone, at least ask for money or something. I don't know what they mean by my past with women. It isn't like I treat women terribly. I had a lot of sex, nothing more. There is nothing wrong with that. The first person who comes to mind who would do this is Beth! Who else would have a problem with Blythe and me being together to try to blackmail us? No one! I thought we were being careful; clearly, we're not careful enough if Beth has been stalking my place! I groan and shake my head. I am tired of this bullshut. Blythe doesn't need to know about it, not until after our weekend away. I will show when we return.

I put everything back into the envelope and stuffed it into my bag. I shake my head, closing the door behind me and locking up. I will make sure there is no sign of Beth or anyone else before I drive towards Blythe's place. If the note and photos were supposed to scare me off, it won't work. I am not scared of it. I am more pissed at her for continuing this bullshit. It could be someone else, but I highly doubt it. It doesn't matter either way because I refuse to let it ruin our weekend away. I can deal with it on Monday.

I exit my building and glance around to make sure no one is around before climbing into my car. It won't take long for me to get to Blythe's place. I need to make sure Beth isn't hanging around there, either. I get on my way and sigh loudly to myself. Will Beth even leave us alone? I hope so. I don't want to end up needing to get a restraining order out on her to keep her away. It probably wouldn't even work, knowing her history with this sort of thing. No! I need to stop thinking about it. My focus needs to be on Blythe and our weekend away. It is a big step for us. Yes, we went to London, but that was for business. This trip isn't.

I pull up outside of Blythe's building in no time and take my phone out to text her. She told me to text rather than go inside in case we become distracted with other things, which, let's be honest, doesn't take much for us.

Hey, beautiful. I am outside xx

I know she is awake and ready because we talked before I left my place.

Okay, handsome. I will be out in two minutes xx

I find myself keeping an eye on my surroundings to make sure we aren't being followed. What happened to me forgetting about it all? Massaging my temples, I draw in a breath, repeating it a couple of times before I gather myself, just in time for Blythe to arrive. She climbs in, smiling brightly.

"Good morning," she coos, leaning over to kiss me softly. She seems in a good mood. I expected her to be a little cranky, but I guess I was wrong.

I smile into the kiss. "Good morning," I mumble against her lips.

Blythe parts after only a moment. "Let's go. First things first, coffee and food." She snickers.

"Of course."

I start the car again, keeping an eye out in my mirror to make sure we aren't being followed.

"Kade, are you okay?"

"Yes, I am fine. Still waking myself up." I lie with a laugh.

I hate lying to her, but I would rather do that than tell her the truth and ruin her good mood and our weekend. What she doesn't know can't hurt her. She will probably be mad when I do tell her since I waited, but that is something else I can deal with when it happens.

"Are you sure?"

I reach over and place my hand on her thigh, squeezing. "Positive. I am excited for our weekend, especially our boat ride."

"Me too!" she gushes.

We have a boat ride booked for tomorrow at twelve. We will be out for a few hours. It will be beautiful and peaceful. A place for us not to worry about anything else. A place where we don't need to hide our relationship. I am up for anything we can do. This weekend, we can be a couple without watching our backs or being careful about where we choose to go.

"I wonder if it has changed much since the last time I was there." She says.

"I am sure there will be some changes, but not much."

It is one of the many beautiful places in Scotland. I hope we can get to see a lot more of them together, but for now, this weekend is enough, and I will make sure it is perfect because it is what Blythe deserves.