Revenge (Love in London #3)

Thirteen

Ava

The engagement party was being held at the mansion and no expense had been spared.

My mother had taken control, just like in the old days when she used to plan huge family events. And by family, I mean parties which involved members of the organisation. Even my sweet sixteenth had been full of guests I had never met. It was a mafia thing and something I would have to get used to again, for the next twelve months anyway. Again, the thought of my affair with Kai being so short-lived made me feel torn.

Being the centre of attention made me feel nervous, mostly because I knew it was forced and that the engagement was a lie. Gatherings including the big hitters in any mafia-related organisation were generally manufactured for business reasons. People mingled with wide smiles pretending that on any other given day, they wouldn’t have been conspiring behind each other's backs or trying to kill each other. It was all one big act.

Just enjoy yourself for once, go with the flow.

After the failure of my birthday party, I had since avoided large gatherings like the plague. They always made me want to punch someone.

I was also nervous about seeing my fiancé aka the man I had spent the night with and who had given me my first orgasm. My body still tingled when I thought about it.

What Kai and I had done the night before played on my mind. It hadn’t felt forced at all. It had been wonderful , so natural, I didn’t feel even the slightest hint of regret. Would Kai?

I thought about how amazing it felt to be in his arms as he carried me from Anton’s room. He had been jealous to see me cosying up with another man, even a gay one and I had loved that. It made me feel powerful.

Deciding not to get ahead of myself, I concentrated on the evening ahead. Our engagement needed to appear real and to me, part of it was. I couldn’t speak for Kai of course.

As I stared at my reflection in the mirror, a stranger stared back at me. It had been so long since I had been preened within an inch of my life. That day I had been given a full body wax, eyebrow shaping, hair, make-up, and the works. I felt sore in places I had forgotten existed and all with the sole purpose of appearing perfect; something I was far from being.

I shouldn't have felt uncomfortable, stepping into those shoes as the fiancé of a crime boss, as arranged marriages were part of that culture. I just never thought I would end up in one.

It's temporary for a year and is it so bad? You'll have more money that you know what to do with, a handsome husband and you'll have your safety.

But you will never have Kai’s heart.

Kai would make sure of all those things.

There was a worry that having a sexual relationship with him would complicate things too much but how could I resist? Women ruled with their hearts and men with their bodies. To Kai, it would be sex but to me, it would be so much more.

Shit. I needed to keep my head on my shoulders; both physically and figuratively.

Remember he is keeping you here against your will, blackmailing you.

And that was the truth that I seemed to keep forgetting. I didn't have my freedom, the one thing I wanted more than anything; the right to choose for myself. Even in Milan, I hadn't felt free, the constant moving around, looking over my shoulder, the guilt at what I had done. And I meant because I had shot Kai, I didn’t care about sending his now-dead father to prison. He had deserved that and more.

Dragging my gaze away from the girl in the glass, I stepped into my shoes. Suki had left me around an hour ago so she could get ready. I walked over to the window and glanced down into the gardens.

It was so pretty. Fairy lights hung in the trees and a large marquee tent was set up. Clusters of guests were already circling the area; like sharks searching for blood.

I stood there and allowed the classical music from below to soothe my senses. I could do this.

I thought about Kai, my soon-to-be husband. What the heck? Under different circumstances, the old me would have been doing cartwheels of joy around the room. And why wasn't I? Because this match was orchestrated for business; appearances only. There was also the worry that I was signing my death warrant by tying myself to a mafia boss. Although, the rule between rival families was that women and children were not part of the deal. Anyone crossing that line paid for it tenfold. It was part of the understanding, almost like prisoners of war. That wasn’t to say it didn’t happen, women being taken to force a boss's hand.

I wasn’t worried though, if there was one thing I trusted Kai with it was my safety.

Being with Kai again had brought back all those old feelings I had buried.

But he will never love you, he isn't capable of love. Just like his father.

Gerard had never loved Suki, she had been an obsession, one that eventually went bad. I didn't want that for myself. I dreamt of a happy ever after, what girl didn't? I was almost twenty and yet felt like I hadn't experienced anything real.

Those words from the boy who saved me from the bullies came back into my thoughts; one day, I promise you, you will find your happy ever after.

Drawing away from the window I walked to the mirror and checked for creases in my dress. Happy ever afters ; chance would be a fine thing.

You want your freedom but you want Kai too. I pushed away the foolish, ‘cake and eat it’ thought.

My hair was half up and half down, falling in soft waves down my back, almost to my waist. Lily, a make-up artist my mother used had done my face beautifully, the red shade of lipstick matched the satin dress perfectly.

The gown was figure-hugging, leaving my shoulders bared and it ran the full length of my body. It reminded me of the dress Jessica Rabbit wore, a cartoon character from a movie I’d watched growing up. I didn’t look as sexy as her in my dress though, not enough cleavage but I felt good. Gold strappy sandals and a matching clutch finished my outfit off. And then there was my ring. The sapphire glittered brightly on my finger; a stunning contrast to the red nail polish I was wearing.

Touching up my lipstick, I placed it in my bag and set off for the door. I called for my mother but it appeared she’d already gone downstairs. Cillian answered in just a towel. His hair was wet from the shower. I looked away, embarrassment stinging my cheeks. For an old timer, the guy was ripped. His body was chiselled with muscle and scars, loads of them. I wondered how he explained those to my mother.

“Susannah is already downstairs. She wanted to check everything was in place,” he explained, showing no concern that he stood before the daughter of the woman he was banging half-naked.

“OK, thanks. Aren’t you coming?”

He smiled, something he rarely did to anyone other than my mother, “Yes. But not as a guest, I’m on duty tonight.”

“Oh, OK. Well, I’ll see you down there.”

There was an awkward beat of silence and I took that as my signal to leave. Just as I was turning, Cillian’s words stopped me.

“Ava, we don’t know each other well and that’s probably for the best. But I just wanted to say you’ve made your mother very happy by staying in London,” he said as I turned back to face him.

Swallowing, I digested his words, “I know. But you know it’s only temporary right?”

A twinge of guilt darted through me. I shouldn’t have said that but I didn’t want my mother to get her hopes up. Once the sham was over, I’d leave, wouldn’t I?

Sadness at that thought pooled into my gut and my eyes flickered back to Cillian’s. He was watching me with a keen interest.

“What?” I shot out when he didn’t say anything.

“I suppose we’ll see.” He then closed the door softly.

My brow scrunched and I almost dropped my bag. We’ll see . What the fuck did that mean? I remember Kai had said something similar.

Releasing a pent-up sigh of frustration, I was tired of cryptic messages, so I turned on my heels and set off downstairs.

The party was in full flow. There were clusters of guests everywhere, in the lobby, parts of the kitchen and the dining room. The music was loud as was the chatter and laughter. It was overwhelming . I hadn’t realised there would be so many people there. Everyone was dressed to the nines, money dripping from their backs. I used to be so clued up about the mafia tree my mother was a branch of, but most people there were strangers.

I hid my grin as I spotted a handful of older men with young women. That was typical in the mafia. Old mafia bosses with money and power attracted young females. They were all batting well above their weight in the physical department. It was a blast from the past, although this time, I was a woman and not a girl. I could more than hold my own in these circles; irrespective of the fact that I knew no one.

As I glanced towards the rented bar I noticed Thomas Blake, the boy I had danced with on my sixteenth birthday before Kai had cut in. Fucking hell, I’d had a lucky escape there. I didn’t consider myself overly shallow but the boy had packed on the pounds, he was massive with a bald head and cauliflower ears. The years had not been kind. He saluted me with his shot glass and I smirked.

As I walked out onto the patio, the first person I saw was Kai.

And oh, holy shit.

The only person I saw was Kai. He looked magnificent . Licking my lips I feasted on him from across the room.

His black tux was perfectly tailored for his tall rangy build. He was all-powerful and strong with broad shoulders, defined arms, and long legs. The material draped over his body did little to hide how masculine he was. I watched those strong thighs flex as he shifted on his feet. Kai had always been unable to stand still for long.

It was hard to believe that the merciless motherfucker I knew him to be, appeared so normal in the social stratosphere. There was more to Kai than met the eye but he only allowed a few to see that. I felt honoured to be one of those few.

My eyes dipped towards his crotch, where his trousers clung to his thighs and my mouth watered. Heat surged through me as I remembered the previous night, how he had made me come against his fingers. An image of being on my knees before him, returning the favour as I slid down the fly on his dress trousers swam into my mind. To take him in my mouth.

Fuck. I was a pervert. I was in the middle of my party having dirty thoughts about a man I was supposed to hate. Kai Kinlan still had a hold over me. The only way I could escape that was if I escaped him .

And that was another truth hitting home. I didn’t want to escape. I just wanted to be there for the right reasons.

A man like Kai doesn’t love, he isn’t capable of it. Fuck me, that thought was like a broken record.

Taking a deep breath, I smiled at the guests who approached me. As I was half listening to an elderly lady compliment my dress, Kai’s head lifted and his eyes found mine through the sea of people. Guests were dancing inside the marquee, an air of rowdy carelessness about them.

Kai saw me whilst he was in mid-flow, speaking to an older man and woman who I didn't recognise, no shock there then. His eyes latched onto mine and the connection was instant, the look in his eyes was primal and raw.

I steeled myself for the inevitable as my body fizzed like he'd touched my skin. I lip-read as he excused himself from the people he was speaking with, his eyes never leaving mine. Kai’s sexy body moved like liquid, the crowd parting as he made his way towards me with an expression which oozed his appreciation of me. A giddy feeling whooshed through my tummy.

He closed the distance with that usual quiet confidence, the music and chatter surrounding us faded into the background.

I ordered myself to remain calm. You are a woman, not a silly little schoolgirl. Get a grip.

Kai’s eyes dropped, lingering on my bare shoulders and chest, raw hunger simmering beneath the surface, causing me to swallow.

I dropped my guard as his arms slid around my waist and he dropped a chaste kiss on my lips, "You look stunning, Mrs Kinlan," he whispered against the cuff of my ear.

I smiled as he drew back, "Jumping ahead a little Mr Kinlan," I pointed out, my tone playful. After seeing him and my body’s reaction, I decided to let go of the past and enjoy myself. What was the worst that could happen?

“Maybe we should fuck everyone off and go upstairs?” Kai said as he tugged me into his arms and nuzzled my neck. OMG, Kai Kinlan was nuzzling . Something I had only ever seen him do once with that bitch from my birthday party. But now, I was on the receiving end and my God, it felt good.

“And waste this bad boy,” I said, motioning towards my dress.

“I must admit, it looks pretty good on but it would look even better on the floor of my bedroom,” he purred.

I pushed away all those negative thoughts, what had happened in the past, his father, the vault, and even what he had done to Anton. For that night alone, Kai and I were back where we used to be and then some. Now there was a strong sexual chemistry that neither of us could ignore.

“Do you want a drink?”

“Yes, please,” I replied, staring into his perfect face.

A waiter appeared by our side and Kai pulled back and stared down at me, his face showing his appreciation. I felt that down to my toes.

He lifted a couple of champagne flutes from the silver tray and handed me one.

“What shall we drink to?” I questioned, holding the rim of the glass to my lips, aware that Kai’s free hand was resting just above my arse cheek.

“How about how fucking responsive you were last night?” he husked for my ears only. I tried not to blush but couldn’t help it.

Kai smiled as I lowered my eyes, “You blush as prettily as you cum, Ava.”

OMG, Kai was dirty-talking to me in the middle of a party.

“It’s cute that you’re shy with me. I like it,” Kai said. “I also like the noises you made last night. Next time I will taste you, everywhere .”

He was making me hot and bothered and he knew it. Kai loved to shock so I changed the subject before I melted into a puddle. Lust pumped through my core and I could already feel my underwear was damp.

“What shall we drink to?”

“How about we drink to us,” he replied with a knowing smirk. He knew I was embarrassed.

“Yes, to us.”

We then started to mingle; everyone was super polite as I was introduced as Kai intended. Congratulations were given and my cheeks were numb from the number of kisses I received on both cheeks from members of the family. They were overjoyed at the news. Some of the younger women said how they thought Kai would never settle down, clearly pissed off that he hadn’t done so with them.

Being the centre of attention under those conditions was quite nice. I had Kai by my side, no one dared say bitchy things to me. When I used to go to these types of events as a guest, girls my age were horrible. Even on my sixteenth birthday, I had to watch my back.

This time I had the power and I liked it. Maybe I could be a mafia queen, just without the gory shit?

If it were real I would have been even happier. Kai was so attentive, and I wondered if this was what it felt like to have a real boyfriend; a man that cherished me.

The first hour went by in a blur and then before dinner, Kai excused himself, explaining he had some business to discuss. He gallantly escorted me over to my mother, placing a soft kiss on my lips, before making his excuses. My nipples hardened against my dress at the feel of his mouth on mine. Fuck me, he had always been attractive, but when he turned on the charm, my pussy literally throbbed with need. It had been too long since I’d had sex, that had to be the reason I was panting so hard for him.

Rubbish, you have always wanted Kai.

As Suki and I spoke with a couple of older men I could see Cillian’s eyes on us. From the set of his jaw, I knew he wasn’t happy that Suki was speaking to other men. But she wasn’t her usual flirty self which was strange. My mother was a natural flirt, it just oozed from her. I so hoped Cillian wasn’t the possessive type like Gerard. My thoughts shot back to that night when I had caught Gerard and my mother fighting and her behaviour the following day. Part of me thought I would never get to know. But maybe that was a good thing. It was in the past and Gerard was dead now. It wasn’t like he could atone for any more of his sins. The fucker had a lucky escape. How I would have loved to have faced him as a woman, and pushed my gun into his face.

Just before dinner was served, Kai reappeared by my side and offered me his arm. “How was business?” I asked.

“Do you want the truth or the sugar-coated version?” he asked. I knew he was giving me the opt-out and I took it. We’d already discussed that I was content with not knowing everything.

“Sugar-coated,” I replied dutifully.

“Business was fine. I had to have a strong word with one of my croupiers who was skimming some off the top.”

I shot him an eye-roll and a headshake, deciding against translating what his ‘strong word’ would look like. Taking Kai’s offered arm, he led me towards our table.

I ran my gaze around the guests, seeing my mother near Cillian, clearly trying to capture his attention whilst he was on duty.

She succeeded too, there was no hiding the way his gaze ran over her.

Kai turned to look where my focus was, “Yes. Quite the couple now. It means I may have to let him go.”

My brow scrunched, “What. No. Kai, my mother would be gutted.”

Slipping an arm around my shoulders, Kai suggested a turn around the garden, saying that he needed some air.

“I can’t have a man who is responsible for our safety so distracted Ava. It’s too dangerous.”

“OK, so maybe, give him something else to do,” I suggested with a pointed look.

“Like what? Wash the dishes, mow the law. He’s a fucking hitman, Ava.”

“I get that. But he’s OK. He’s grown on me now.”

He smiled, “So he’s won you over too? Who would have thought it.”

“He hasn’t won me over. My mother is besotted with him and I like seeing her happy.”

At the patio doors, Kai turned me in his arms, “And I like seeing you happy,” he said.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Another surge of joy swam through my insides. It was just a shame that I knew my joy would be an in-and-out scenario; just passing.

The meal was delicious and after dessert, the guests saluted Kai and me.

Kai then introduced me to some important people, and he was right, in that hour or so that followed. I did feel happy. I pushed the thought of our engagement being temporary and for business purposes to the back of my mind and played the part as if it were real.

As the last few guests left, I started to unwind.

In the scheme of things, the evening had been a huge success. The guests had enjoyed themselves and I had been welcomed back into the bosom of the organisation with no questions asked.

I was clearing away some of the glasses in the kitchen when Kai’s voice startled me, “You don’t need to do that.” His voice penetrated a daydream where everything in my life was perfect and I dropped the glass I was holding.

Fuck!

It shattered against the tiled flooring.

“Shit, Kai. You scared me,” I yelled with a gasp, bending down to assess the mess I had caused.

I heard Kai move towards me, “Don’t. Just leave it, Mrs Shelby will see to it.”

Lifting my chin, I cast my eyes over the concern on his face as Kai squatted down and picked up a couple of larger pieces of glass.

“Here, let me,” he said, holding his hand out for what was the stem part of the champagne flute I had dropped. Smiling, I handed it over and we both pushed to our feet.

I watched as Kai placed the shattered pieces of glass on the side. We were alone in the kitchen and a thick silence fell between us.

As Kai turned to face me, my heart flipped in my chest.

“You did well tonight. You played your part beautifully.” And with those words, my heart followed the same fate as the glass.

I was reminded that it wasn’t real to him. It was all part of the act.

I felt sick and slightly dizzy as I digested how cold those words sounded.

“Are you OK?” Kai said, his expression switching to one of concern as he saw me sway slightly.

I placed a hand on the counter to steady myself, “Yes, erm. I’m fine.” My voice was breathless as Kai put his hand on my shoulder.

“Ava?”

And then a twinge of pain shot through my finger. Yanking my head away from Kai, I glanced down to see I had placed my hand near the glass and a shard had caught my skin.

“Fuck, sorry,” I said lifting my hand.

Kai took me by the wrist and pulled my finger towards his face, “It’s OK. You’ve just nicked the skin.”

The slight dot of crimson added to my nausea.

Before I knew what was happening, Kai had dragged me over to the sink and stuck my finger under the cold water, “Ava. Just keep your eyes on me, it’s fine.” I could hear in his voice that he was worried I was going to faint, but the sickness I felt was more down to what he had said than my injury. You played your part beautifully.

The coldness of the water took the sting out of my finger. I stood there for a couple of minutes, attempting to get my thoughts in gear.

Don’t let him see how he has upset you.

Once Kai was certain the bleeding had stopped, he turned off the water, but he didn’t release my hand.

I watched, warmth pooling in my tummy as Kai twisted and turned my finger in his hand, checking it.

Like he cares about you.

And then something huge happened.

Kai’s free hand slid into his jacket and he pulled out a handkerchief, a crimson silk one. I watched, my heart fluttering like a bird in a cage as he wrapped the silk around my finger and tied it.

The design of the hanky was one I remembered well.

As Kai smiled at his handy work and said, “See, as good as new.” Memories and realisation as to who Kai was, slapped me in the face. But not in a bad way, in more of a wake the fuck up. How did you not see it before?

Kai was the boy from my mother’s wedding. The one who saved me.

SLAM!

My mouth dropped open as Kai lowered my hand. I caught the embroidered letters which were partly revealed from the makeshift bandage he had created.

K K which clearly stood for Kai Kinlan.

Kai raised his face to mine, his eyes narrowing, “You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” he said. The cliched comment should have been amusing but I was in too much shock.

Stepping back and away from the sink, I turned away briefly.

“Ava?” Kai said, placing his hand on my shoulder.

Turning back to face him, I hit him with the full force of what I remembered.

“It was you,” I said, my voice deeper than usual.

His brow scrunched, “ What was me?”

“You saved me, from Tasha Wilkinson and the bullies at the wedding. My mother’s wedding. You’re K.”

His expression didn’t change that much which was a surprise. Maybe he didn’t remember what had happened. The incident had been a big deal to me but it may not have been for him. His next words smashed those thoughts out of the water.

“And you’re Boo. So, you remember.”

I nodded, “And so, do you?”

Kai dashed a hand down his face. “I never forgot, Ava.”

“You always knew it was me?”

He nodded and then motioned towards me, “What about you? Did it only just come back to you now?”

Lifting my hand, I held my bandaged finger towards his face, “I remembered because of this. Your handkerchief. I still have the one you gave me that day.”

A cocktail of emotions crossed his face as he took in those words, but I could see he was pleased. Why would he be pleased I kept the handkerchief if he didn’t give a shit about me?

That look gave me hope.

“Come on, you look tired. We can talk about it in the morning?”

“I can’t believe it was you. All these years and yet you never said anything.”

“Come on, let’s go to bed. Watch the glass.”

I then allowed Kai to guide me through the kitchen, past the staff in the dining room and into the lobby. As we got to the bottom of the stairs, I turned and faced him.

Kai stopped with one hand on the railing, his eyes roaming over my features. I felt like I was seeing him for the first time, the emotions I was experiencing were hard to determine.

"When did you realise that I was the girl from the wedding, the one you saved?" I couldn’t go to bed without knowing.

"I knew as soon as I saw you again years later," Kai admitted with a head tilt. His eyes were full of warmth and I could see that he was recalling that moment with fondness.

"When I was thirteen?"

"Yes," he confirmed with a nod.

"I can't believe you recognised me. I would have been so young at the wedding."

Kai grinned, it was boyish and charming and took me back to the boy under the stage. How could I not have seen it before now, "I never forget a face, especially when it looks like yours," he said.

Raising an eyebrow, I asked, "Should I take that as a compliment?"

"Most definitely," he replied, lifting his hand to push some of my hair behind my ear. I suddenly felt so special, Kai had made me feel special.

Narrowing my eyes I asked the obvious question, " Why have you never said anything?"

My question seemed to confuse him and he didn’t reply straight away. After a shrug of his broad shoulders, Kai said, "Maybe I didn't want you to remember me."

"But why wouldn't you want me to remember you, after what you did? You promised me that one day I would find my happy ever after.” I had always thought Kai a manipulative bastard and so I didn’t understand why he didn’t fess up to being the boy from the wedding. If he had wanted my co-operation, he could have used that to get it. He had been my childhood hero after all.

And then he explained himself, "For two reasons I suppose. You saw me as a saviour and I made a promise that day that I had no right to give.” I was puzzled and so had to push him further.

“But what difference does it make now?”

Kai’s expression darkened and I knew I had hit a nerve. “That boy from my past no longer exists, Ava. And I don’t believe in giving mixed messages.”

Fuck. I took a deep breath and gave myself time to taste those words. After a minute or so, I decided he was lying. His mask was in place but I saw it for what it was now.

And I’d had enough of running away.

"Bullshit. That’s all you ever do, give mixed messages,” I pointed out, stepping forward towards his body. Kai’s hand dropped from the rail and he took a step back. Now who was running?

I could see a muscle start to tick in his jaw, "I said I don't believe in giving mixed messages not that I wasn't ever guilty of doing that."

I took another step into his space and Kai retreated, "So what happened? What did I do?"

I knew I was pushing his buttons as he stopped, placing a hand out to ward me off. I could see he was struggling, battling with his emotions. The cracks were starting to show.

“Well, Kai. What did I do? Why did you save me as a little girl? Welcome me into your home, become my friend, gain my trust, and then abandon me like that? As far as messages go, that was as mixed up as you can get.”

“Leave it, Ava. It’s time for bed.”

Kai went to take my arm but I moved away and started pacing. I was determined to get the truth. I needed, to know why he pushed me away. What did I do? If he hadn’t behaved that way, maybe things could have been different between us, better. My life could have been better.

Everything that his father put me through, being sent away to school, feeling alone, and cut off came crashing back.

“ Why Kai, what did I do?” I said, my voice raised, my entire frame bristling with frustration.

As I stopped walking, I could see from Kai’s body language that he was at a complete loss on how to manage the matter.

After exhaling forcefully, Kai stepped towards me and took me by the arms. His hold was firm but gentle.

My chin was lifted to allow me to keep eye contact as he said, "You didn't do anything , Ava. You were fucking perfect. A fresh-faced thirteen-year-old; a kind, gentle girl, full of life; interesting and fun.

“So, what happened?” I asked, my eyes wide.

His thumbs caressed my skin where they touched as he continued to explain himself, “And then you started to get too close.”

Kai released me, and turned his back, walking towards the front doors before swinging his body back around.

His expression confessed that he was reliving those earlier days when things had been good between us, “I remember you used to watch me like I put the sun in your sky. That sweet girl, just on the cusp of womanhood; my opposite in every way. I remember thinking how you didn’t belong in that life. I think I just got caught up in something I wasn't supposed to. At first, I didn't think your time in my life would become so permanent. So, I allowed myself to drop my guard with you, I wanted you to be happy for the short time you were there. You made me happy, your company, lifted that darkness inside me.

When Gerard proposed to your mother, I suppose I panicked. Your presence in my life was the only thing truthful and I allowed myself to get wrapped up in that normality. But that’s just it, nothing is normal about living your life as part of a criminal organisation. We had a genuine connection, you made me care, and that made me weak. That's when I withdrew and became unavailable."

My heart sank, and Kai’s expression was pained and full of regret, "So, you treated me badly to push me away?"

Kai gave my arms one last squeeze before he dropped his hands, "Yes. Caring about something makes you a target in this business, Ava. I knew I needed to put a stop to it."

A silence then fell between us as we stood there, our eyes locked. There were no distractions, nothing to stop the inevitable questions from spilling from my lips.

"So, you admit you did care for me once?" I knew it was a loaded question, but I was done hiding from the subject. It was make or break.

Kai’s shoulders slumped in defeat and then he admitted that one thing I so needed to hear, "Yes. And I still do, Ava.”

BOOM!

It felt like my heart exploded. As my eyes scanned over his features, I could see the truth written there. This wasn’t Kai saying what I needed to hear, it was heartfelt and real.

Taking a step forward to close the distance between us, I looked up into his eyes briefly before dropping my gaze to his lips. Kai looked like a broken man, and I needed to fix that the only way I knew how.

Pushing up on my toes, I fused my mouth with his.

Kai stiffened momentarily, and then all fucking hell broke loose as he kissed me back.