26. Kingston
KINGSTON
Alex and Gabe pause as I place the tray of food on the tufted ottoman. “I figured we should eat something.”
And not a moment too soon, by the look of things.
“Thanks,” Alex says over Gabe’s, “Not hungry.”
Alex reaches for an apple and returns his attention to Gabe. The tension ratchets higher as he waits for a response. What is the ‘it’ that Alex thought Gabe had a handle on?
“I did. I thought I did,” Gabe adds quickly.
He sounds miserable.
I don’t understand. We got Katherine back. Well, Alex got her back. But Gabe helped. She’s in the main house with LaShonda, enjoying her freedom and some estrogen.
What does Gabe have to be sad about?
Other than the fact that we’re out here and she’s in there.
“What are we talking about?” I ask because I thought we were done with secrets. I told Katherine I love her, and I plan on telling her every day for the rest of our lives. If we’re all in this together, honesty is our best policy, no matter how difficult it is.
“I thought I had a handle on my demons,” Gabe replies.
“Apparently not,” Alex adds and takes a big bite of the red fruit.
“I’ve already apologized.”
“I know.”
“So why are you on my back?”
Alex looks from the apple to Gabe, his head cocked like ‘did you really just ask that?’ “You’re carrying around twenty-year-old trauma.”
I settle next to Gabe. Close enough so he feels supported but not so close that he’s coddled. Alex is right. We’re grown ass men, and we need to get our shit together. Starting with me.
Or maybe starting with Gabe.
Alex is pretty much fucking perfect, which is annoying. But he’s not the type to humble brag, so at least he’s bearable.
“I’m not the only one holding on to twenty-year-old trauma,” Gabe shoots back, stressing the word.
Alex tosses the half-eaten apple onto the tray, spinning toward Gabe. “You’re really going to compare my sister’s murder to Henry trying to cheat you out of your company? Courtney fucking died and is never coming back. Your company is still around and thriving.”
The temperature in the room cools about fifty degrees. There’s the same kind of stillness as when a waiter drops a tray full of food and everyone gawks at the mess. Beside me, Gabe lowers his face into his hands, then he lifts his head and gives Alex an apologetic look.
“I’m sorry—I?—”
“Fuck you and your apology.” Alex stands, shoulders back, looking every intimidating inch of a six-foot-five security specialist. “And don’t think of going near Katherine until you’ve got your head screwed on straight.”
He storms off, slamming a bedroom door behind him. The house seems to quake.
“Dammit.” Gabe bounces off the couch and storms to the opposite side of the house, leaving a wake of frustrated energy.
I sigh and reach for a sandwich. What the hell was that?
We get our girl back and those two are suddenly at each other’s throats? I don’t get it. I mean, I do. Alex has got some serious baggage weighing those strong shoulders down. And Gabe, he’s never gotten over Henry’s betrayal.
It just feels like all that should be a moot point right now.
I glance from the door Alex just slammed to the room Gabe disappeared into. For the moment, I’ll let them be. Maybe they just need to go to their corner and lick their wounds. No doubt today stirred up a bunch of shit for both of them. How could it not?
My phone buzzes in my pocket.
Shoot. I haven’t replied to my sisters or my mom since before we boarded the yacht.
I finish my sandwich, take a giant gulp of water, and pull up the group chat.
Mel: any news?
I drag a hand down my face. Where to start?
Kingston: We’ve got her. We’re at Pierce’s place on the island. Lucinda’s been arrested.
There’s a pause, and it feels strangely prolonged. I can imagine my little sister’s mouth hanging open in surprise.
Ava: oh my god
Ella: Her mother??
Mel: how’s Katherine?
I move to the front of the pool house and glance across the manicured yard. Katherine’s light is on. Is she laughing? Crying? Does she need a hug?
I need a hug.
A hug and an ‘I love you.” In that order.
Kingston: surprisingly good. Got into it with Lucinda but nothing broken. She’s with LaShonda right now.
Mel: how scary.
Sophie: I don’t understand. You’re saying Lucinda kidnapped her own daughter?
My eldest sister could never understand that not all families are like ours. Our parents have set such a lovely example from day one.
I hear Gabe shut a door, much more gently than his best friend. He didn’t have a good example either, from what I gather.
Kingston: wild, right?
Katherine’s light goes out, and my shoulders sag.
I was hoping to get to say goodnight. Hell, I was hoping for a lot more than that, but I get it.
She needs a bit of space. Maybe some girl time.
Her life has been upside down and inside out lately.
It doesn’t really matter that Alex and I are in love with her or that we’re committed to her and this newfound family dynamic.
Such wild changes are bound to put anyone into a tailspin.
For all I know, they’re in there eating popcorn and watching old movies.
Which sounds pretty good at the moment.
I pace back and forth in front of the double doors leading out to the glittering pool. If she wanted to, she would have come over to say goodnight. Which means she’s probably still overwhelmed, or maybe she’s even crashed already.
Shoving a hand through my hair, I sigh and turn toward the bedrooms. I should get some sleep. Just as soon as I put up the food and tidy the kitchen. Tomorrow will be a new day, and who knows what craziness awaits.
Two hours later, my eyes follow the wavy lines moving across the ceiling. Light reflects off the pool, glinting through the window, putting on a show. I’ve tried everything I can think of to fall asleep, but nothing’s worked.
It feels weird to be in bed by myself again, but I figured everyone needed a bit of space. Maybe that was the wrong call.
I swing my legs over the side of the bed and listen. The pool house is quiet. Does that mean they’re asleep or awake? At least if they were snoring, I’d have a clue.
We need a game plan. Or maybe I do. As far as I know, Alex and Gabe haven’t made up yet. We need to nip that in the bud before breakfast because we can’t go to Katherine and not be a united front.
I wish I knew what was going on in Gabe’s head. I guess the good news is, I have zero doubts about Alex. Dude’s solid as a rock.
Dropping to the floor, I do a round of fifty push-ups, hoping against hope the exertion will help tire me out and lull me to sleep. But once I’m finished, I’m just as restless as I was.
Counting on my fingers, I calculate the time in Croatia, then reach for my phone and shoot off a text to Marko.
Kingston: Thanks for pushing me to come back.
I think for a minute about what else I want to say. Things are going well here? I mean, that’s mostly true. If you don’t count the last twenty-four hours.
Ultimately, I settle for telling him not to hold my job.
The message feels prophetic. Like hitting send is a wish to the universe.
That said, sometimes you’ve gotta help the universe along.
After pulling my clothes on, I find my shoes and then head across the yard. The light in Katherine’s room is still extinguished. I bound up the few terrace steps and cross to the back door. The handle doesn’t budge.
Well, crap.
I try the door on the other side of the kitchen. Of course, they’re not going to leave things unlocked. Thank goodness. But also dang.
Now I’m lurking in the darkness like a creeper, staring up at Katherine’s second-story window. The pale curtain flaps in the breeze. Why is her window open?
Unease prickles the back of my neck. I look around for a handhold.
There’s a window below Wildfire’s, and I lever myself up onto the ledge.
Thank goodness for all those grip exercises.
Wedging a foot against the side of the porch, I shimmy my way up the corner, using pressure and leverage until I reach her windowsill.
It feels good to use my muscles like this.
Everything looks normal, although I don’t know what my brain expected to see. Gouge marks from climbing gear?
Come on, King.
Pushing the curtain aside, I blink into the darkness. Between the exterior lighting and pool lights, it takes my eyes a moment to adjust. Silently, I swing my feet over the sill, trying to keep the lip of the window from biting into my ass.
The room is pitch black, but still. Silent. Burglar-free.
Unless you count me. And I fully intend to steal a kiss.
Not gonna lie. I’ve totally fantasized about sneaking in here before. That was years ago, when I was rethinking past choices. But as I tiptoe across the plush rug, moving from memory, my heart beats out a wild rhythm. All those years of friendship, and we’ve finally taken that next step.
We’re not going back.
At the edge of her bed, I second-guess myself. I should let her sleep. I don’t want to be the asshole who wakes her up or scares her. And despite my history, I can control myself around her. Sort of…
Still, I can’t help myself. Our connection is real.
Just like it was all those days ago, pulling and tugging at me from halfway around the world. Back to where I belong. To where, maybe, I always belonged.
The feeling of rightness in my chest is amazing, even after this shitty day. Holding her and feeling her arms around me, finally giving freedom to my feelings, the soft skin of her hand in mine on the ride over here. It’s these quiet moments I love. Just as much as the sex and the adventures.
Being with her, soaking in her presence, quiets the craziness in my head.
Reaching out, I coast a hand over her hip. “Sweet dreams, Wildfire,” I whisper.
She shifts beneath my palm. Explodes is more like it. She twists, bolting upright.
Something clocks me in the face. Pain blasts through my head, and I slap a hand over my throbbing cheekbone.
“Ow,” I whisper-shout.