Chapter 13 #2
“What is on the phone?” River asks, a hint of panic in his normally calm voice.
My heart hammers so damn fast I’m not sure what I’m about to do.
Grab the phone and run? Kick them all in the junk then run?
I’m pretty sure whatever it is, I should run, because I can’t face the humiliation.
“What did you do?” I shove Kasen in the chest, my eyes focusing on his, because I know whatever they did to get this phone is on him.
And apparently, I don’t want to run this time, I want to fight this fucker for thinking he could interject himself in my life.
His eyes darken to motherfucking scary, forcing me to falter back straight into the counter. This is why I didn’t want them to know, this look, it’s disappointment mixed with murder, and it’s terrifying as hell. Because I know he will never look at me the same way again.
“Got the information you wouldn’t give us,” Bodhi answers for him, and I can hear he’s just as furious.
But what should he care? He’s made it obvious I’m nothing to him but an inconvenience.
Well, I mean, there was that kiss, but I get the impression that was a test, like the whole set-up where they let me run.
This shit that they are doing now is the same, like my life is a game for them.
I glance at him, and it’s then I find the smear of blood coating his shirt.
What the hell? He’s livid, that much is obvious, but it’s the sadness I see in the depths of his eyes that hurts the most. Tears choke up my throat, but I won’t let them see, won’t let them know how much this breaks me deep inside.
“You went to my place?” I whisper, a mix of anger and embarrassment vibrating through me, knowing what they would have seen.
I’ll never be able to look at any of them again.
I can’t escape what I did, this shit is going to haunt me for the rest of my life.
It doesn’t matter that I was going under another name or how far I ran to escape it.
“You had no right,” I spit at the two of them, tilting my head up and straightening my shoulders.
I choose anger instead of falling apart.
Anger is safer, she has never let me down.
Never made me weak, and I won’t be weak now. Not in front of them.
Kasen’s scowl deepens, a growl slipping from his lips.
“Maybe you should have told us the truth when you had the chance.” He takes a step toward me, crowding me in a way that sends my heart into overdrive.
I really wish I wasn’t so tipsy right now.
“Don’t worry though, birdie, your debt is now paid off.
You’re free from the Southern Breakers. I took care of another mess for you.
” From his proximity, a tremor of anger vibrates through him as he practically yells at me.
His lecture reduces me to a child, but I know what this really means.
This isn’t some sweet act. I now owe them more, and he wants me to know it.
“I didn’t ask you to,” I seethe back, not ready to take his shit.
I try to take a step away from him, but it’s impossible.
His large frame is everywhere, and behind me is the hard bench.
He knows it as well, the glint in his dark eyes as he locks me in place so evil.
His tight muscles flex as a hand comes to either side of my body on the kitchen bench.
His dark eyes lock with mine, giving me no escape.
It’s then I can see his clothes aren’t just messed up, they are splattered with blood as well.
Oh, dear God, I’m actually going to be sick.
What did he do? Your debt with the Southern Breakers is never fully paid off, once they suck you into their trap, you’re theirs for life.
If he did something to one of them, he’s in as much trouble as I am.
I shove at him, needing to escape his intensity, but Kasen captures my wrist, pulling me back to him, our bodies so damn close it sends a shiver over my skin.
He’s not the boy I was obsessed with, he’s not even close, and I see why this town is so scared of him.
He radiates power. “Let. Me. Go,” I push through clenched teeth, fresh desperation coming over me.
His fingers tighten around my wrist. “Not until you come clean about it all. We deserve answers.” His voice booms through the room. He really is his dad. Domineering, controlling, delusional. He thinks the world should bow at his feet because he says so.
My chest heaves as I fight to suck in breaths, the same feeling of being trapped washing over me.
I can’t breathe, I’m stuck, cold hands on me, fear locking me in place as I try to scream.
He’s not Keller. He won’t hurt you, I tell myself on repeat.
But the truth is I’m not sure I believe it.
I can see his dad when I look at him, see the hate in his eyes.
I didn’t think Keller would have hurt me either, but I have memories of that night.
They might be foggy, but he was there and his hands were on me.
He did something. I wish I could remember what.
Nausea swirls through me at an alarming rate.
My head spins, and all I can do is focus on Kasen’s deranged face to stop the swimming. But it’s no use. “I’m warning you, K…”
It’s too late, the mix of fancy cocktails I was throwing back all night and the steak and chips I had for dinner come up, and I vomit all down the front of Kasen’s shirt, trousers, and shoes. Oh, dear God. Kill me now.
“Shit, Dove, didn’t realize you were that drunk,” River says, rushing to my side to help me.
I glance up at Kasen who is still holding me.
His eyes rake over me, filled with disappointment.
The kind that really makes you feel like shit because you know there won’t be yelling, there won’t be talking.
He lost respect for me tonight. If he ever had any.
He releases me and takes a step back to assess his clothes, brushing them off.