27. Juliette #2
When I drag my eyes up to his face, real dread begins to unfurl inside me.
It’s been over two decades since I’ve seen Jack Ford, and those years haven’t been kind.
He’s got deep wrinkles across his forehead, and his dark hair is completely overtaken by gray.
Where he once looked distinguished, he now just looks angry and miserable, though I’m not sure why I’m surprised by that.
“You look just like your mama,” he says hoarsely, his voice deep and harsh.
“Hello, Jack. Wasn’t expecting you to be here.”
He takes another drag from his cigarette, lazily blowing the smoke out through his nostrils. “I suppose not. It was the only way I could get you alone so we could have this little chat.”
I swallow down my nerves and steel my spine, refusing to show weakness even if my palms are starting to sweat and my belly has gone into a free fall. “What do we have to talk about?”
“How about the fact that my son is a part of the pack you’re getting ready to bond?”
“I don’t see how that has anything to do with you.”
His dark eyes narrow. “Pretty sure your mama said the exact same words to me when I questioned her bond with your father.”
My shrug appears careless, though it’s anything but. “Like mother, like daughter, I guess.”
“And just like your mama, you’ll let everyone but my boy bite you. Picky little whore,” he snarls, and I’m officially done with this conversation.
“I’m gonna go. I’ll let Kash know you were here.”
I really don’t want to turn my back on him, but getting the hell out of this building is now my only option. I lengthen my strides, not making it more than twenty or so feet before he grips my arm and spins me around.
“Bitch, you don’t get to just walk away from me.”
I don’t see the backhand coming. His knuckles crash against my cheekbone, something burning across my skin as it slices it open. My face is thrown to the side by the impact, and I just barely manage to stay on my feet.
My whine echoes through the cavernous room, my cheek throbbing as tears roll down my cheeks.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I cry, stumbling backward to get away from the madman in front of me.
“Teaching a prissy little bitch a lesson about what happens when you think you’re better than Jack Ford.
” His fist shoots out, grabbing my hair and yanking my head back so he can glare down at my face.
A keening sound slips from my lips. “That’s it,” he barks, a sharp hit of alpha command in his words. “Whine for me.”
Another whine echoes through the empty space unbidden.
“You brought this on yourself. Thinkin’ my boy’s not good enough for you.”
“I—”
“You’re both the same. Flaunting your body and face to any man who’ll look, dangling your scent until we latch on like leeches, then denying us when we want what you so cruelly offered.”
“Jack, please…”
He leans in. “Might not have been able to correct your mama, but maybe it’s time someone took you down a peg or two in her place.”
My eyes widen as he slowly brings the fiery end of the cigarette dangling from his free hand closer and closer to my face.
Another whine escapes.
“Get your fucking hands off her!” Kash’s voice roars from somewhere nearby.
Jack drops his hold on my hair, and I crash to the dirty floor just as Kash comes raging down the center aisle. Without another word, he punches his father right in the jaw.
“That’s for laying a finger on what’s mine.
” His chest is heaving, nostrils flaring wide as he glares at his father.
“I suggest you get the hell off my property. If I ever so much as see your face around Darling again, I’ll call the sheriff and have him throw your ass in jail for battery.
You ain’t got no friends here, and I’m sure plenty of people ‘round town will attest to witnessing you hit Jules.”
I’m stunned speechless for too many reasons to count at the moment. Using my feet, I push myself back against one of the stall doors to get out of the way.
Jack straightens, spitting blood off to the side of the aisle, then wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. “Sure you want to do this, son?”
“I am no son of yours. You have until the count of ten to leave, or I’ll make you.”
Rage is spilling out from every inch of Kash’s body.
He’s strung tight, thick biceps stretching his t-shirt while his hands remain fisted at his sides.
His jaw muscles bulge as he grits his teeth, eyes flashing with so much visceral hatred, I’d be afraid if I was on the receiving end of his stare.
His scent has taken on a burnt edge that has another whine trapped in my throat, but I refuse to distract him right now.
“One. Two. Three. Four…”
“Fine. I’ll leave. But you all better watch your back. This isn’t over.”
Kash watches him go, and it isn’t until Jack’s in his truck and backing down the drive that he finally drops to his knees. His shaking hand gently cups the side of my swollen face as he takes in the damage his father just caused.
“Jesus, June bug. Are you okay?”
I nod, but tears spill over harder as he gently removes a stray hair from my other cheek. “I-I’m fine. Just a little shaken up, is all.”
He helps me to my feet, hands on my shoulders as if he’s prepared for me to fall right back down again. “I swear, I lost years of my life when I called Beck and he asked how you were liking the property. Didn’t take long to figure out somethin’ was amiss, so I hightailed it straight over here.”
“You came just in time, Kash. My white knight.”
His smile wobbles a little. “I’ll always be here for you. You know that.”
“Yeah?”
“Of course.” He studies my face, wincing each time he passes my cheek.
“Hey, Kash?”
“Yeah, Jules.”
“Can you just…hold me for a minute?”
“O-of course.”
I step into him, my arms sliding around his waist and my good cheek resting right over the spot where his heart is pounding like a hammer.
His scent has softened, hints of cocoa and vanilla peeking through the rich espresso.
It grounds me in the present, reminding me I’m safe, and as the slightest hint of a purr rumbles to life in his chest, his arms surround me and hold me tight, confirming that no matter what happens from here, we’ll be alright.