Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Kash
Mila isn’t usually out this late. I check her location for what feels like the fiftieth time and grit my teeth.
The little dot shows she’s still at the Gravel Pit.
She spent about twenty minutes in her room before coming out and offering some excuse about needing air, then she left.
I thought she’d be back in a few minutes or something, but it’s been almost two hours.
I stare at the wall for another few minutes, then say fuck it. It’s past her curfew.
Quickly dressing, I grab my keys and head across town to the Gravel Pit. Last time we were here, Atlas started a bar fight. Hopefully, she’s not with anyone because no one else is here who can pull me off some guy if he touches what’s mine.
Pulling into the farthest part of the lot, I spot Mila’s car toward the entrance. Smart girl.
As I head into the bar, I tap out a message to Seth.
Me: You up?
Seth: Sleeping.
Me: Unless you can sleep text, meet me at the Gravel Pit.
Seth: It’s almost midnight.
Me: Glad you can tell the time. See you soon.
Seth: Asshole. Fine.
Now that’s settled, and I know Seth is coming, I head inside and start looking around for my girl. It doesn’t take me long, because Mila is holding court at a table with three guys. What the fuck?
The bar area is relatively crowded still, and the music is so loud I can feel it through the soles of my shoes. I hate this place. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not opposed to drinking or having a good time, but I’m about to commit multiple felonies; plus, I really think this place is bad luck.
Taking a deep breath, I head for the bar first. If I go over to that table, I’ll end up murdering at least one of the men sitting there. If I wait a bit, not only will Seth be here, but also I won’t have to maim anyone alone. If I go to jail, I won’t have free access to my girl.
Ordering a soda from the bar, I turn back toward the table where my future sits.
It’s dark, but from what I can tell, all three guys are on the smaller side.
One has dark hair and the other two are lighter.
The one with dark hair puts me in mind of that guy from the bakery, and I want to rip his arm off as he puts it around Mila.
Not wanting to wait for Seth a moment longer, I abandon my drink and head for their table. I can take on all three; plus, I doubt Seth will let me actually murder one of them. Let’s hope he gets here sooner than later.
“Hello, Wife,” I greet when I make it to their table. The music is loud, but when she jumps, I know Mila heard me. Turning to face me, her eyes widen and she opens her mouth, then quickly closes it.
“Who the fuck are you?” One of the light-haired guys looks me up and down. I hope he likes what he sees, because I might be the last thing he ever does.
“That’s my roomie—Kash.” she slurs. “He calls me his wife, but we’re not married.”
“Yet,” I cut in.
“Yet,” she parrots, trying to shrug out of the dark-haired man’s embrace. I tense when he tightens his hold on her, making Mila flinch.
“I suggest you remove your arm from her if you want to keep it attached to your body.” Staring him down, I pray that he tries me on this. Apparently sparring with Seth didn’t get enough of my aggression out.
“Easy, pretty boy. We’re just having a conversation with our girl.”
Yeah, I may just kill him anyway.
Sliding into an empty spot of the booth, I lean closer to him. The two other guys apparently have more sense because they’re quickly sliding out of the circular booth on the other side, heading for somewhere else.
“Kash—” Mila hiccups. “Don’t.”
“Don’t what?” I ask with a tilt of my head. The soon-to-be dead man with his arm around my girl is starting to look a little less brave.
“I’m Richie.” He holds out his hand, like I’m going to shake it instead of breaking it for touching my girl.
What a fucking jackass. Lifting a brow, I glance at Mila. She’s so getting a spanking later.
“Something you want to tell me, Sweet Girl? Am I crashing your date with Richie?”
“No,” she replies, shaking her head. “Richie was keeping me company for a bit.”
“Look,” he starts. “We’re just getting to know each other, right, babe?” He smiles at her, and I’m done playing nice.
Grabbing the back of his neck, I slam his face off the table. His arm finally loses its hold from around Mila, and it makes me smile when he yells.
“Fuck! You broke my nose, asshole!” he cries, holding his face as blood starts pouring out between his fingers.
“Kash! Stop it!” Mila shouts as she tries to slide around the other side of the circular booth.
“I see you didn’t wait for me after all,” Seth drawls behind me. “You’re all dumbasses.” He looks between me and Richie, shaking his head. “Dumbasses.”
Giving Seth a quick look, I hand him my keys and nod toward Mila. “Took you long enough. Take her outside. I’ll be there in a minute.”
“Yep. Just don’t do anything too stupid,” he warns, reaching for Mila’s hand to help her up.
“God! You are impossible, Kash,” she fumes, shrugging out of Seth’s hold. “I can walk myself, just so you know.” She glares at him and walks past unsteadily. Great. She’s plastered. Seth follows behind, holding his arm out to steady her.
Grabbing Richie's shirt, I yank him closer to me. “I’m going to break more than your nose if I ever find you speaking to her again. Do you understand me? She is mine,” I growl.
He must see the promise in my expression because his eyes widen with fear. “Okay. Fuck. She was by herself when we got here, man. Take it easy.”
“Good. I’m glad we understand each other.” I pat his shoulder and move to go get my girl. I’ve almost made it from the booth when I hear it.
“Stupid fucking thug.”
Turning back toward him, I watch all the color drain from his face.
The music is still playing loudly, but I heard that clear as day.
I am so tired of being seen as a thug because of my size and tattoos.
Fuck this guy. Grabbing ahold of his neck again, I slam his face off the table a second time and grin widely when he shouts.
“Sorry. I just wanted to be sure your nose was really broken. Us thugs can never be too sure.” I shove him back and slide out of the booth, leaving him a crying mess.
Glancing around for his buddies, I don’t find them anywhere. Pussies. No one stops me when I head for the exit, even though I know for a fact the security guard by the bar saw what I just did. He shakes his head but gives me a smile and a nod. Cool, guess I’m not going to jail just yet.
The night air is crisp when I make it to the parking lot. Seth has Mila in my car, her head resting on the window.
“Well, I don’t see any blood on you, so that’s a plus. I guess you didn’t murder him then?” he deadpans.
“No. But I can happily guarantee his nose is broken. Actually, it might be broken in more than one spot.”
“You guys have serious issues, you know that?” He shakes his head. “This is the last time I do this. For any of you. Pull your shit together,” he warns, turning on his heel and heading for his own car.
“You know you love me, Sethy!” I shout at his retreating form. He doesn’t respond but gives me the finger as he walks away. He loves me. I know he does.
Climbing into my car, I glance at Mila, fully prepared for her anger. I’m surprised when I find her sad instead.
Her voice is small when she starts, “You couldn’t help yourself, could you?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“How’d you know where I was?”
Somehow, I don’t think she’s going to like the knowledge that I put a tracking app on her phone, so instead, I change the subject. “I had a feeling.”
She snorts, then gives me a disbelieving look. “Sure Kash.”
“I did and it looks like I was right. Why were you here, Mila? It’s not safe to come to a place like this alone. You better not have been looking to hook up. Do you want to explain to me what you were doing, my Mila.”
“Oh my God, would you stop with that?” She looks at me in exasperation.
“Never. Answer my question, Mila. I want to know why you were with that guy when I know damn well you watched me jerk my cock and shout your name just a few hours ago. Am I not good enough for you?” I ask, almost dreading her answer.
I can’t admit it, but it’s my biggest fear. Mila doesn’t need me in her life. She’s a successful business owner, comes from a good family, and has people that love her. I wasn’t even enough to make my mom stay. Mila doesn’t need me, but I want her to need me. I want her to choose me.
“That’s not fair, Kash,” she whispers. “Look at you and then look at me.” She gestures between our forms. “Every single girl in that bar had their eyes on you.”
“And?” That bar could have been empty for all I care. All that matters to me is Mila—she’s all I see.
“And I’m not like them. I’m not rail thin, with big boobs and fluffy hair. I’m just me, just Mila. I just want—” She stops suddenly.
“What do you want?”
“I want more than I think you’re capable of.” She turns away, looking out the window.
Grabbing her, I lift Mila into my lap. Her surprised squeal fills the vehicle, and once she’s situated over my cock, I hold her sides.
“What am I not capable of, Mila? Hmm? Why don’t you enlighten me because I sure as fuck know what I’m capable of.
I’m capable of making you scream my name. I’m capable of protecting you.”
Her curls move when she shakes her head, a sad expression on her face. “That’s just it, Kash. You’re more than capable of the physical stuff—trust me I know—but what about the rest of it?”
“The rest?” I question.
Silently, she folds her arms over her chest, pulling back. Nope. She’s not getting out of this. Leaning forward, I grab her chin between my thumb and finger, keeping her eyes trained on mine. “Tell me what I’m missing, and I’ll fix it,” I promise her.
“You’re missing something you’re not capable of.”
Scoffing, I kiss her lips swiftly. “What am I not capable of, my Sweet Girl? Hmmm?”
Her light brown eyes lock on mine, and she lets out a small hiccup. Even drunk, she’s still the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
“Being serious, romance, love.” She pauses. “Commitment. Take your pick.”
Life is too short to be serious all the time. Love and respect I have—there’s no doubt about that. She has no idea just how committed I am to her, so we’ll circle back to that in a minute, but I’m focusing on the other part. “Romance?”
“Yeah, dancing in the kitchen, kisses in the rain, candle-lit baths. Special moments that only you understand because of what you’ve built with someone. Romance.”
Shaking my head, I let go of her chin. This girl does not make it easy. I can’t wait to see if our kids are going to be as stubborn as their mother. Probably.
“Alright, Sweet Girl. Challenge accepted.”
“What do you mean?”
“You told me what you needed, and like the good future husband that I am, I’m going to show you just how romantic, respectful and lovable I can be.
I’m already committed to you,” I remind her, gesturing to the tattoo that rests on my neck.
“Your kiss goes with me everywhere. It’s going to follow me into the afterlife, so I’m not worried about commitment, Sweetheart, and you shouldn’t be either. ”
Pushing the hair off her shoulder, I kiss one cheek then the other. “Let’s go home, Mila. It’s late and you need sleep.” And I have plans to make.
Mila nods as she climbs off my lap and back to her seat. I pull her seatbelt across her chest and latch it, making sure it lays properly.
Pulling out my phone, I open a text thread to Mara. I may or may not have swiped her number from Mila’s phone a while back. I’m not expecting her to answer right away, so her quick response surprises me.
Me: Mila’s not feeling well. Can you guys handle the store tomorrow?
Mara: I don’t even want to know why you’re messaging me instead of her.
Me: Probably for the best.
Mara: If you hurt her, you know I’ll kill you, right?
Me: If I hurt her, I’ll let you.
Mara: It’ll be painful.
There would be no greater pain in this world than losing her.
As I pull onto the street, I glance at Mila who’s looking out the window again. Her head is resting against the glass, no doubt deep in thought.
“Don’t worry about your car. We can grab it tomorrow.”
“Sure, Kash,” her reply comes out softly.
She seems so quiet and lost, but she’s right where she needs to be. With me. If she wants romance, she’s going to get so much she won’t know what hit her. Game on, Wifey.