15. Kane
Chapter 15
Kane
I stare at the ceiling, my arm draped over my forehead, the scent of Grace still clinging to my sheets. Sleep hasn’t come, not even close. Not after this morning. Not after the way she stormed out of my room like she could outrun what happened between us. Like she could erase the way she cried out my name, the way she clung to me, how her body arched into mine like she needed me more than her next breath.
But what did Grace do? She ran like she always does.
I exhale, scrubbing a hand down my face, replaying every damn second of what happened between us. I should regret it. Hell, maybe I should be pissed, but I’m not.
I don’t regret a single damn thing.
Not the way she came apart beneath me. Not the way she gasped when I filled her, her nails raking down my back as she shattered, and sure as hell not the way she looked at me afterward, eyes wide, lips parted, her whole-body trembling like I’d just wrecked her in the best way possible.
But then? Then she shut down, shoved me away, and fled like I was the biggest mistake she’d ever made.
And that? That pisses me off.
Because I know Grace. She might act like this was nothing, but I felt the way she responded to me. She wasn’t just caught up in the moment. This wasn’t some heat-of-the-moment mistake. It was real. For both of us. And now?
Now she’s holed up in the guest room, putting as much space between us as she can without outright leaving.
Or so I think. I hear a floorboard creak. I sit up, listening as soft footsteps move down the hall, heading toward the kitchen downstairs.
She’s up and she’s avoiding me.
I push out of bed, grab a pair of sweatpants, and run a hand through my hair as I make my way downstairs, ready to confront her, but when I step into the kitchen, I don’t find Grace.
I find a damn note.
My gut clenches as I snatch the piece of paper off the counter, my name scribbled in her messy handwriting.
Kane—Kate picked me up. Staying with her for a while.
That’s it. That’s all she gives me.
I crumple the note in my fist, my jaw tightening as I glance toward the front door like I could still catch her. But she’s gone.
And that? That’s unacceptable. Does she really think she can just leave without talking to me? That she can pretend like nothing happened?
I grab my phone and dial her number. It goes straight to voicemail.
I grind my teeth, considering driving over to Kate and Hudson’s place and demanding she talk to me, but I force myself to stay put. Grace isn’t some scared little girl. She doesn’t run—except when it comes to me.
I exhale, bracing my hands against the counter, trying to rein in my frustration. Fine. She wants space? I’ll give it to her. For now. But if she thinks this is over, she’s wrong, and the fact that she’s at Kate’s? That’s a problem because if the bastard lighting these fires strikes again, and she’s anywhere near it…
A sharp knock at the door yanks me out of my thoughts.
I glance at the time—too damn early for visitors.
Another knock, this time louder.
I yank the door open, fully prepared to tell whoever it is to fuck off, but instead, I’m met with the sight of Hudson, Declan, Trevor, and Ian standing on my porch, coolers in hand, fishing poles resting against the railing.
“What the hell?” I ask, running a hand over my face.
Hudson grins, stepping past me like he owns the place. “Rise and shine, asshole. We’re going fishing.”
I blink. “Fishing?”
Declan follows him in, shaking his head. “Don’t act like you have plans. You don’t.”
Trevor smirks, setting a cooler on the counter. “You’ve been in a pissy mood lately, and honestly? It’s getting pathetic.”
Ian claps a hand on my shoulder. “So, we’re fixing it. You’re coming with us.”
I exhale sharply, shaking my head. “I don’t have time for this.”
Hudson grabs a beer from the fridge—at nine in the goddamn morning—and pops it open. “Oh, you have time. We’re making sure of it.”
Declan leans against the counter, eyes sharp. “Unless, of course, you’d rather sit here and stew over whatever shit is running through your head. ”
My jaw tightens. They know. Of course, they know. Nothing stays secret with these guys.
I glance toward the note still clenched in my fist, then back at the group of nosy bastards waiting for me to argue. I could say no. Could tell them all to get the hell out.
But the idea of sitting here, alone, replaying the last twenty-four hours over and over in my head? Yeah. Not happening.
I exhale through my nose, then roll my shoulders. “Fine.”
A round of victorious grins meets my answer.
Hudson slaps me on the back. “Atta boy.”
Trevor grabs another beer and tosses it to Ian. “Let’s get this show on the road.”
Ian snags the can out of the air and grins. “And just so you know, Kane—” He lowers his voice. “If you keep acting like a moody bastard, we’re throwing you overboard.”
I shake my head, but there’s a flicker of something in my chest. Something almost like relief.
Because, for the first time since Grace walked away, I don’t feel like tearing something apart.
The water is calm, the morning sun reflecting off the waves as the boat drifts farther from shore. It’s peaceful, the kind of quiet that should settle me, but my mind keeps drifting back to Grace. To where she is. To whether or not she’s safe.
Hudson casts his line, lounging back in his seat. “So… are we going to talk about why you look like you want to commit murder, or are we just going to ignore it?”
I reel my line in a little too fast, my grip tightening. “Not in the mood, Hudson.”
Trevor leans back, adjusting his sunglasses. “That’s too damn bad because we are. ”
Ian chuckles. “You’re sulking.”
Declan grins. “It’s pathetic.”
I grit my teeth. “I’m not sulking.”
Hudson takes a sip of his beer. “You definitely are.”
Trevor stretches, cracking his neck. “Yeah, yeah. Now let’s focus. Kane, you gonna keep glaring at the horizon or actually fish?”
I grunt and cast my line. “I’m here, aren’t I?”
Hudson shakes his head. “Barely.”
Ian tugs his cap lower over his eyes. “So, are you actually going to tell us what’s going on with Grace, or are we supposed to just guess?”
I reel in slightly, letting the line drag. “There’s nothing to tell.”
Declan scoffs. “Bullshit.”
Hudson cracks open another beer. “Start talking, man. You’re here to fish, not mope.”
I exhale and stare out at the waves for a long moment before finally saying, “Her building burned down.”
That shuts them up.
Trevor’s sunglasses slide down his nose. “Holy shit.”
Ian swears under his breath. “Jesus, Kane.”
Declan turns fully toward me. “Was she inside?”
I shake my head. “Yeah. She’d just got home when it started. Made it out in time.”
The guys absorb that, their easygoing attitudes shifting into something more serious.
Ian rubs his jaw. “And we’re just hearing about this now?”
I shrug. “Happened last night.”
Trevor leans forward. “Arson?”
I nod once. “Fire started in a vacant unit. No forced entry, no signs of accelerants left behind, but the burn pattern? It was intentional.”
Declan swears. “Motherfucker. ”
Ian casts his line again, shaking his head. “Any leads?”
I grit my teeth. “No solid ones.”
Trevor taps his fingers against the cooler. “You think it’s connected to the other fires?”
I exhale sharply. “I don’t think. I know.”
Hudson lets out a low whistle. “Damn.”
Silence stretches between us for a moment before Declan speaks again. “And Grace? She okay?”
I hesitate. “She will be.”
Ian gives me a look. “That doesn’t sound like she’s okay.”
I drag my hand through my hair. “She’s Grace. She acts like she’s fine, but she’s not.”
Hudson watches me carefully. “And that’s why you’re so on edge.”
I roll my shoulders. “She’s staying with Kate, which means she’s out of immediate danger. But if another fire happens, if whoever’s doing this isn’t done…”
Trevor exhales. “She’s still in the line of fire.”
I nod once.
Declan shakes his head. “And she ran.”
“Yeah.” I glance out at the water, jaw clenched. “Yeah.”
Ian casts his line. “And you let her?”
My eyes snap to his. “You think I should’ve forced her to stay?”
He shrugs. “I think you should stop pretending you’re fine with it.”
I grind my teeth, my fingers flexing against the reel. “She doesn’t want me chasing after her.”
Hudson huffs a laugh. “Grace doesn’t know what the hell she wants.”
I stay silent because I know he’s right.
Trevor watches me closely. “So, what are you going to do?”
I let out a slow breath, gaze locked on the water. “Give her some space. ”
Hudson raises an eyebrow. “And then what?”
I reel my line in, the rhythm grounding me. “And then?” I repeat, more to myself than them.
And then…I’ll find her. I’ll make her talk to me. I’ll figure out what the hell she’s hiding, and I’ll remind her that running doesn’t mean she gets to leave me behind. Not now. Not ever. She’s mine. Even if she doesn’t know it yet.
Ian leans back. “That’s why you agreed to go out with us?”
I glance at him.
He lifts a brow. “You need the distraction.”
Hudson grins, nudging me with his elbow. “See? We’re good for something.”
I huff out a laugh, but it’s short-lived.
Trevor reels in his line, eyes sharp. “You’re gonna go after her, right?”
I glance out at the water, my grip tightening around the rod.
Because there’s only one answer.
Hell yes.
Hudson interrupts my thoughts with an exaggerated sigh. “Alright, enough of the brooding. Let’s talk about something that actually matters.”
Trevor kicks back and props his feet up on the cooler. “Like how Kane is single-handedly ruining the vibe on this boat?”
Ian smirks as he reels in his line. “I was gonna say fishing, but yeah, that too.”
Hudson nods solemnly. “It’s tragic, really.”
I glare at all of them. “You’re all assholes.”
Trevor grins. “And yet, here we are. The only people willing to deal with your shit.”
Declan casts his line, watching the water like he actually gives a damn about catching something. “Speaking of dealing with shit, did anyone check the weather before dragging my ass out here? Because if we get stuck in a storm, I’m throwing Ian overboard first.”
Ian scoffs. “Why me?”
Declan shrugs. “You’re the smallest. Less dead weight.”
“Asshole.”
Hudson chuckles. “Relax, princess. We’re clear skies all day.”