Chapter 26 Kratos #3
What happened at that dinner that drove her to me?
“Do the guys know where you are?” I ask, taking another step forward, slowly closing the distance between us. I’m about six feet from her now, and as she turns her gaze up to me, I see the slightest glimpse of her expression. The smirk on her face lets me know the answer, even without her response.
“How did you get here?” The question comes out without a second thought. My protectiveness of her is kicking in. If the guys don't know she’s here, then how did she get here? It’s not like I live right down the street.
Her smirk grows to a full-blown shit-eating grin.
“The internet is an amazing thing. The phone the guys got me is very useful. Trent and Leo show me all kinds of new things all the time, like emojis, social media, and apps like Uber.”
Fucking Trent. Of course, it would be him giving her information he doesn’t even realize she’ll use every scrap of.
I can’t even be mad about it, though. I would rather her use an Uber than the alternatives.
She could've tried to walk here, and with or without directions, that’s a long walk.
Worst case, she could've tried to steal a car she doesn’t know how to drive or got someone random to take her.
Not that I needed to worry about her ability to defend herself, but I do anyway.
Beyond all of that, I want her to know these things. I wanted her to get a shot at life outside of what she’s known, and I don’t know, maybe twenty-something-year-olds who don’t know how to use a smartphone. Hell, most children do nowadays.
“God damn it, Killer, you can’t just disappear on them like that. Last time you did, they were in a freaking panic to find you.” I tell her as I fish my phone from my pocket to let them know, hopefully, before that happens again.
“Well, I left Zander a note. He’s just asleep, so he probably doesn’t know yet,” she tells, as if that makes it all better.
I pull my gaze from my phone as I scroll through my contacts for Rick’s number and shoot her a look to let her know it doesn’t. She holds my gaze for a moment, as if she intends to argue with me before she gives in and looks away with a huff instead.
“Whatever,” she grumbles. I ignore her obvious attitude as I click his name and put the phone to my ear. The line only rings twice before he picks up.
“Rick,” he says in way of greeting, and while I can hear the strain in his voice, I doubt he was asleep this early. Rick is a damn workaholic, so it probably has something to do with Jade, honestly. Judging by his lack of concern, I doubt he even realizes she’s gone yet.
“I’m assuming you’re unaware of the fact that Jade is no longer on the property?” I ask in a voice far too calm for the situation, but considering I have her here, I don’t need to worry. He doesn’t need to know that just yet, though.
“What?” he roars back. A moment later, I hear the rustling of papers and his heavy footsteps as he moves around the house.
I assume he was in his office, which means he’ll be in her room shortly.
I remain quiet, just listening as my eyes once again fall on Jade.
The sound of a door swinging open and hitting a wall pulls my attention back.
“Fuck,” Rick hisses, and he actually sounds upset.
Rick rarely lets people know how he’s feeling. I’ve seen him trying to keep his distance from Jade since the news that she’s Froggie came to light, but I’m not dumb enough to miss what's in front of me.
I take pity on him.
“I have her, Rick,” I tell him, though I’m not even sure he’s still there.
“What? How?” he asks, and now I can’t help the smirk on my face.
“I think maybe your tech isn’t quite as amazing as Spencer makes it sound.
She left and took an Uber. She was here when I got back from my meeting, said she left Zander a note, but I wasn’t sure what kind of note and wanted to check in before she started a panic, again,” I tell him while giving Jade a look that’s meant to be disapproving, but she ignores it.
Rick huffs at the comment about their tech. We both know they have the best money can buy, and Spencer codes most of it himself. He’s going to be pissed when he finds out she got around it, but I warned them she was good.
They should’ve listened.
I hear another door open, this time much less violently, and a moment later, the sound of ruffled paper comes down the line. I assume he found her note.
“Yeah, she said, your security is crap. I’ll be back tomorrow.
” He reads the note to me, and while the comment about the security is funny, her lack of information has me rolling my eyes.
I have no doubt she knew where she was going before she left.
It wouldn’t have killed her to tell them, but I also have to remember that this is all new to her.
“I feared it would be vague. That’s actually more than I thought she would have left, so at least there's that. I’ll talk to her. I just wanted to make sure you guys knew.”
“I appreciate it.” I hear the paper crumble, and the strain of his voice lets me know he’s not happy about this.
“I expect a report on the dinner from everyone tomorrow. Hopper’s at two. I’ll bring Jade.” I tell him, looking over at her to see if she has any protests. When she doesn’t so much as blink at me, I assume it’s fine.
“We’ll be there, boss,” Rick says, and I end the call without another word, my eyes still on Jade.
I toss my phone on the nightstand as I stride toward her, unable to stay away a moment longer.
Finally, I’m close enough to see those beautiful eyes of hers, and what I find there makes my chest feel tight.
Mischief mixed with misery. I want nothing more than to take that misery away, but I know the mischief is what she wants me to focus on.
Fine, if she wants to play, we can play.
“What are you doing here, Killer?” I ask again, my voice low and threatening, daring her to lie to me.
“Can’t a girl just want to spend time with you, Daddy?” she says, false sweetness dripping from her words. “I bet most girls would kill to be where I am,” she says, pulling her gaze from me to look around the room.
“Most people would be killed for sneaking into my house, and you know it,” I tell her, and she chuckles as her eyes land back on me.
“But not me?” I have to bite back a sigh because she’s playing with me.
She knows damn well I would never lay a finger on her, at least not one she didn’t want.
She also knows damn well that aside from a select few, I don’t allow people close to me.
I don’t generally like people, let alone would I ever tolerate them in my home uninvited and unannounced.
“Never you, Killer,” I assure her, and a smile lights her face.
“And that’s why I’m here,” she says like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.