Chapter 12 #2
War sighed. I hated that I’d brought up the letter, but I had no idea what I was dealing with.
This was all new to me, and I felt like an outsider.
“I don’t know. Sabbatini is a tentative ally of your dad’s.
The world of criminals is all connected in one way or another—either enemies, friends, or somewhere in between.
The fact that your brother is sleeping with Sabbatini’s married cousin makes everything more difficult.
I don’t think your dad knows about that.
If he did, he would’ve dragged Sky home by the hair. ”
His fingers slid up my spine again with a gentle caress that sent a soothing sensation through me.
“I don’t know what I want to do anymore,” I whispered, cracking myself open for him to see. “I wish I didn’t know about Dad. I idolized him.”
“I know.” He cupped my face, stroking his thumb over my cheekbone. “But you can go back to pretending not to know if that’s what you want. You don’t have to abandon him, and you don’t need to be part of this world.”
“I can’t.” Anger bubbled in my blood, igniting heat that spread until I thought I’d explode.
We were sitting at two different understandings of the world around us, and I hated that he’d never get why I was so upset.
Still, I didn’t want to be irritated at him.
This was on Dad, not War. “Everything I planned for my future has blown up. I can’t pursue a career in criminology while knowing Dad is one of the biggest criminals in New Gothenburg. ”
“People do it all the time. The people you think are upstanding citizens hide what they know or who they are behind closed doors. Lawyers, cops, politicians. They all have their secrets.”
He said it with such certainty that I wavered. How many people in New Gothenburg—in the country—were corrupted by crime?
“I don’t know, War.”
“You don’t need to decide right now.” He kissed my lips, and I melted against him. “I’m not asking you to forgive your dad, but maybe give him a chance. He’s protected you.”
“That’s what pisses me off,” I snapped. “Mom left us when I was seven. She’s always been too busy with her new boyfriends, but Dad’s been there for me and Sky the entire time. He’s never let us down. He was reliable. He was Dad. But everything I knew about him was a lie.”
“No, it wasn’t.” He pulled me tighter against him. “He’s still your dad. He still loves and cares about you. He told you he’s a businessman and he is.”
“He forgot to mention the part about how he murders people,” I muttered, my voice thick with bitterness.
“It’s rare. His staff mostly does the murdering for him.” He quirked a grin at me, his tone softening to playful. His attempted joke didn’t fall on deaf ears. My lips twitched.
“You’re not funny.” Still, I pressed my lips against his jaw. The water enveloped us, its warmth as comforting as a blanket on a cold night. There was something soothing about floating in a pool, but it was even better against War’s strong chest.
He turned serious. “He doesn’t force people to do anything they don’t want to. Well, not in the beginning. They choose to come into his world and take what he offers.”
“Right. Underground casinos and fights.” That was what Sky had told me in his text messages. “Sky also mentioned death games?”
War flinched. “You don’t need to worry about any of that.”
“I’m not a kid. Dad’s treated me like one for long enough. I need to know everything.”
“No, you don’t.” War’s tone hardened, and his grip on me tightened. His hands were on my ass again, squeezing, the hold hurting in a delicious way. “The less you know, the better.”
I growled in frustration. “What about Colt? He’s Dad’s business partner. Is he a criminal, too? And Quinn? Does he know? He’s Colt’s wife.”
War blew out a long breath and nuzzled his nose against mine. “Kit, you’re asking me questions I can’t answer. I’m your dad’s employee.”
“And you’re my boyfriend,” I snapped.
He paused, eyeing me as if I were a bomb about to explode. He studied me, and I hated how he stared, making me feel like an unknown. This was his bodyguard expression, the one he used when calculating variables or searching for threats. I hated it directed at me.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. It wasn’t fair to make him choose between his career and me. We were new, and I was putting too much pressure on him. “I’m just angry at Dad.”
“I know.” He said it as though he truly understood.
I didn’t want to talk about Dad anymore. Fuck it. I was with my boyfriend, and we deserved to have some fun. I shoved away from his solid body, my toes barely touching the bottom of the pool. War was so much taller than me. Grinning, I tilted my head toward the shallow end.
“First one there wins.” I didn’t wait for his response.
Kicking off immediately, I pumped my arms, swimming as hard as I could.
Dad had taught me to swim at a young age, but I only ever did it when Dad or Sky dragged me to the lake.
I didn’t dislike swimming. I just hated leaving my books.
From early on, my life revolved around school and good grades, which was one of many ways I differed from Sky.
He craved adventure. I preferred routine and working for what I wanted.
It was no surprise when War passed me with speed. His strong body surged through the water with a power I could only dream of. His arms sliced through the surface, feet kicking with precise movements, and I couldn’t help but stop and stare at his form.
The chlorine-tinged air filled my lungs as I watched his muscular frame cut through the water like a blade, each movement economical and lethal, even in play.
His bright pink shorts were a shocking neon contrast against the crystalline blue of the pool, and I was caught between awe of his strength and amusement at the vividness of the material on his ass.
He touched the wall long before me. When I finally stopped beside him, he offered a smug smile.
I snorted. “Don’t act like you expected any less. You were a goddamned SEAL.”
He made a weird, obnoxious sound, and it took me a moment to realize he was trying to mimic the animal. I huffed out a laugh and shoved his chest. “You’re such an idiot.”
“Your idiot, and a winning one at that.” He winked and pulled me to him again.
Water cascaded down his shoulders as he drew me close, his skin warm and slick beneath my palms. He pressed his mouth against mine, and I curled my arms around his neck.
He kissed me hard, yet gently—something I didn’t think was possible, but it always seemed to be with War.
His lips were addicting, and the scratch of his stubble elicited a moan from me. “No matter what, I have your back.”
I hummed in pleasure. “You’re so sexy. Let’s stay here forever.”
He chuckled against my mouth. “I wish we could, baby.”