11. Kade
CHAPTER ELEVEN
KADE
O nce I drop Waverly back at her apartment, I make my way across town to visit my brother at work.
The only reason I could approach our girl without him knowing this afternoon is because he had a series of meetings that would keep him tied up, and that gave me the chance to spend some quality time with Waverly.
When she curled herself around me and held on for dear life, I thought I was a goner, but it was when she tripped and I caught her that did me in. The trust that filled her eyes as she stared at me was something I never could have prepared myself for.
No one trusts me. They’d be fucking stupid too.
I’m as untrustworthy as they come, but for her, I’d be anything.
What started as a fascination with my brother’s obsession quickly became my own, and now I couldn’t walk away even if I wanted to.
Which means I need to work out where his head is at and make my move if it’s too far up his ass to do the same.
I park the bike up the street from the community church and take long strides toward the wide-open front doors. Part of me is a little concerned I’m going to burst into flames the second I step over the threshold, but when I reach the doorway, I don’t hesitate.
I notice Emmett on the front bench, his hands in his lap as he listens to the teenaged boy next to him. The boy is upset, that much is obvious from the tears falling against his ashen cheeks, but he listens intently to every word my twin says to him.
I’ve spent a lot of time since I moved to the city watching my brother, but never this close, and I can’t help but be fascinated by the way he listens to every single word the kid says. I don’t think I’ve ever listened to anyone as closely as he is this stranger, and it’s mesmerizing.
His training kicks in, obviously feeling my eyes on him, and he looks around, scanning the large space for potential threats, and then they lock with mine.
He says something to the boy, who nods and shoulders his backpack before making his way down the aisle and out the front doors while Emmett remains seated.
I sigh and slip out from my uncomfortable wooden bench. You’d think they’d make these seats more comfortable to encourage more people to come to church, but my ass is numb after just a few minutes.
Rounding the front of the church, I drop onto the bench beside my twin, with my ankles crossed nonchalantly.
“What are you doing here, Kade?”
“I thought I’d come see what my little brother does all day,” I tease.
“The opposite of what you do,” he growls.
“How do you figure?”
“You end people, and I save them. I give them something to hold on to when they’re at their lowest.”
“What? A fake God?”
He cuts me a glare. “That’s your opinion, Kade. But there are millions of people in the world that disagree with you. Including me.”
I roll my eyes and drop my head back, staring at the chipping paint on the ceiling. This place could really use some upgrades, and I can’t help but wonder why my brother hasn’t bankrolled them. He has money coming out of his ears, even if he refuses to acknowledge it, and he could use that money for good, rather than evil, like how he would describe my spending habits.
“What do you want?” he asks. “I know you didn’t drop in just to question my beliefs.”
“I want to talk about Waverly.”
That gets his attention. He turns his body to face me, his features tight at the mention of the woman that has captured our attention without even knowing it. “What about her?”
“I want to know if you’re going to make a move.”
“I don’t think that’s any of your business.”
I chuckle. “Where Waverly is involved, everything is very much my business.”
A low growl escapes his throat, and I don’t miss the way his fists tighten and his throat bobs with anger. I’m pushing him closer and closer to his limits, but I don’t think he’ll cross them. Not here at least.
“What does it matter to you?” he finally asks.
“If you’re not, I will.”
“And if I do? You’ll leave her alone?”
“I didn’t say that.” I smirk.
“Kade,” he warns. “Dad watches you much more closely than he does me. If he catches wind of her, he’ll hand her over.”
“He won’t know anything. He leaves me to my own devices for the most part. I haven’t seen the old man since I moved here.”
“You’re going to get her hurt.”
“And you’re not? He watches you too, you know? He’s just as likely to find out about her through your pursuit of her as he is mine.”
“You’ll hurt her,” he growls.
“And you won’t?” I raise a brow at him. “Last time I checked, your desires are just as dark as mine are. You just have religion to hide yourself behind, instead of a gun like me.”
Without waiting for a response, I stand and turn to him.
“I’ll be seeing you, brother.”