Chapter 35 Don’t Blame Me! #2
I rub my arm absently, grazing over the spot where the knife cut me, wincing slightly. The memory is too vivid, like it’s still imprinted under my skin.
“As for what I’m looking for…” my words falter. “I just want answers.”
I meet their eyes briefly, then look away, uneasy under their attention. Kane’s gaze is unreadable, but it lingers too long, and I hate that it makes my skin prickle.
Cam, for once, looks like he’s actually paying attention. His usual laid-back energy is replaced with something razor-sharp. “Can we maybe start with what this someone told you?”
I shake my head as frustration bubbles to the surface. “It was just odd. He just said I was exactly who he was looking for. Honestly, he was probably having a little too much fun at the dance.” I wave a hand dismissively.
I had something weird happen at the dance and walking home, so it’s not technically a lie. And yes, I’m going to justify that.
Rachel watches me closely. “You okay?”
I nod, praying she doesn't pry.
Cam cracks his knuckles, leaning forward. “We need to figure out who this guy is. If he knows something about you that you don’t? That’s a problem. If he’s willing to hurt you over it, that’s an even bigger problem.”
I shift uncomfortably, but Cam isn’t finished. His usual humor is nowhere to be found as he locks eyes with me, softening his tone. “Let’s start with the basics. What do you know about yourself?”
I clear my throat, suddenly feeling like I’m under a damn microscope.
“Okay, well,” I start, forcing a small smile.
“My name is Raven Taylor. I’m twenty-five.
My birthday is December thirty-first. My grandparents were Anthony and Marjorie Taylor.
” I shrug, keeping my tone casual, even though the weight of it all is pressing in.
“I was born in Utah, and I still live there.”
“That's a good start.” He nods, while his fingers hover over the keyboard. “Parents?”
I hesitate. “Not much to say. They died when I was young. My grandparents didn’t like talking about them.
I know they were from Scotland. I know their names.
There’s some photos of them back at my house, but…
” I shrug like it’s not a big deal, even though the ache I suddenly feel in my chest tells a different story.
“They died in an accident. Some trip they were coming back from.”
The silence stretches.
Cam types something, but his expression is unreadable. Kane still hasn’t said a damn word, and the weight of this conversation is making my skin itch. I push off the couch abruptly, needing to move, and escape from the awkward tension.
“Hold that thought,” I mutter, already walking toward my room. “I need a new hoodie before I get hypothermia.”
No one stops me.
I go into my room running my hands down my face, while I take a deep breath, trying to regroup. I grab a dry hoodie and take another deep breath. I open my door to leave my room, but don’t make it very far because Kane’s standing right there, blocking the hallway.
I scoff, shaking my head, folding my arms over my chest. “Did you come to interrogate me?”
His lips twitch, but his eyes darken, and I watch a slow smirk kick up at the corners of his mouth. “Trust me, Princess,” he murmurs. “You wouldn’t like my version of an interrogation.”
Heat blooms, and my pussy starts throbbing. Of course he’d turn this into something dirty. I just wish my body would remember we’re pissed.
I roll my eyes. “Oh, I’m sure I'd be fine. But hey, you seem to have a knack for keeping secrets. So, you could probably teach me a thing or two.” My tone is all sugar and venom, daring him to take the bait.
His smirk doesn't falter, but something shifts beneath it. He leans forward slightly, resting a hand on the wall above my head. His eyes lock with mine in a way that makes my pulse stutter. “That’s rich, coming from someone who’s been keeping secrets pretty damn well all night.”
My jaw clenches. “Excuse me?”
He just watches, waiting for me to squirm.
Cam’s voice cuts through the thick air from the other room. “Alright, we’ll get this handled.”
I take the distraction and slip out from under Kane’s stare, and his arm, moving toward the kitchen.
“It’s getting late,” Cam continues, tucking his phone into his pocket like this isn’t a complete shit show. “You two should get some rest. Let the professionals take it from here.”
I roll my eyes at his dramatics, but I can’t help the relief I feel that I might just get some answers after all. But it’s Kane who pulls my focus. That usual brooding exterior softens just enough to make something catch in my chest, but I ignore it.
“Raven,” he says softly. Which only annoys me more. “I’ve got something for you out in the car. Come with me?”
“Can’t wait.”
I try to ignore the flutter that stirs in my chest as I school my expression. “You’re not luring me outside just to try and talk your way out of lying to me are you?”
His lips twitch, “Wouldn't dream of it.”
I don’t believe him. Not for a second.
I’m aware of everyone watching me, but Kane’s already moving toward the door. I look over and Rachel’s grin stretches wide as she whistles, followed by a giggle.
I shoot her a warning look, but her smile only deepens.
“Behave,” I mutter under my breath, knowing damn well she won’t.
The air outside is damp and thick with the scent of rain. At least it's only sprinkling now. Mist curls along the ground, swirling under the porch light, but my attention zeroes in on Kane.
He makes it impossible to look at anything else.
His pace is deliberate and unhurried. He wants me to feel the weight of every second he makes me wait, I'm sure of it.
I cross my arms. “So, what is it? Some elaborate excuse to get me alone?”
He huffs a quiet laugh, shaking his head as he opens the passenger door, leaning in. “You give me too much credit.”
My pulse spikes and heat crawls under my skin. When he straightens and turns back to me, our eyes catch—and hold.
Thunder rolls overhead, dragging my mind straight to the greenhouse. To the way his hands were gripping my thighs.
He moves in, and of course my body reacts like it's been waiting for him. Every nerve is on high alert, just because he's within reach. He radiates warmth like it's effortless. Meanwhile, I'm over here spiraling.
I don’t move and neither does he.
His eyes go right to my lips, and it's just long enough to make my heart slam against my ribs. I swear I see the moment he decides to close the gap, then his hand is brushing my hip, testing my sanity.
I don’t pull away.
The distance disappears, and the tension stretches so tight I can barely breathe. He doesn't get any further, because the sharp creak of the front door shatters the moment like glass.
Cam wanders out, clueless as always, but Kane's grip on my hip doesn't budge. Then I see the envelope in his other hand, the one from his office with my name scrawled across the front.
I blink and frustration slams into me as I step away from him.
Kane extends it toward me. “Figured you’d want this.”
His tone makes something twist in my gut. I yank the envelope from his hand. “Thanks.”
My eyes slide past him to Cam, and my voice softens. “And thank you, Cam.”
I know Kane’s still watching me, but I ignore him, stepping toward Cam and pulling him into a quick hug.
He leans in, keeping his voice low enough for only me to hear. “Remember what I said would happen if I found out you were lying?”
He knows.
I pull back, trying to keep my face neutral even as my heart hammers. Kane's watching with his brows drawn, soaking up every detail.
Nope. I'm not doing this.
I step away waving awkwardly, “Talk to you guys soon. Thanks again.”
I duck back inside, and Rachel's curled on the couch with the blanket wrapped around her like she's bracing for battle. She pats the spot beside her, and I flop down grabbing my own blanket.
“That wasn’t so bad, was it?” Her voice is light, but there’s an edge to it. “If anyone can dig something up from the bits you gave them, it’s those two.”
Her smile is encouraging, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. I manage a small one in return, but my chest is still tight and I keep circling back to Cam’s warning. Does he really know? Does Kane?
The idea makes my stomach twist uncomfortably. But before I can spiral too far, Rachel’s voice pulls me back. “Rave,” she says softly. “There’s something I need to talk to you about.”
The nervous edge in her voice is all the warning I need. Whatever she’s about to say, I already know I'm not going to like it. My stomach drops as I brace myself.
“I need to go home.”
The words hit harder than I expect, and I blink, caught off guard despite knowing, deep down, that this was coming.
“Are you sure you can’t stay longer?” My voice is tighter than I’d like, betraying the ache crawling up my throat.
She takes a deep breath, threading her fingers through mine. Her grip is warm, but it doesn’t stop the tears that threaten to spill. “There’s a few things I need to take care of,” she sniffles. “Nothing crazy, but it has to be in person. But… I don’t think you should come with me.”
The words sink in, dragging my stomach down with them.
“I know you’re not ready to move here yet, and you still need time to think about that. But you need to stay.”
A lump forms in my throat. The tears come slowly at first, slipping down my cheeks in quiet betrayal. I knew this was coming. But hearing it out loud still sucks.
“You know I’m right.” She squeezes my hand. “You keep looking, and let them handle the hard stuff while you take care of yourself. Maybe even get a little dick on the side.”
I throw her hand off me with half-hearted annoyance. “You’re impossible.”
“Besides,” she adds, her voice softening again. “I can go to your grandparents’ house and search through their things. I’ll send you anything useful or mail over whatever you think you might need.”
Her smile is small, but sincere. “I’ll be back in a few weeks. I promise.”