Chapter 42
Kade
After sitting through two back-to-back meetings, I’m finally on-site with Trent at Mr. Woods’ place, helping the crew tear everything out.
If it were up to me, I’d be at Liv’s—right where I want to be—keeping her safe, making sure she’s okay. But she doesn’t need me hovering, not right now. The only reason I’m even here instead of there is because Aubrey’s been texting me updates every hour, letting me know Liv’s okay.
The only way to keep from losing my damn mind is to stay busy, to make my muscles burn, take out every shred of fear and frustration from the last few days on these walls.
Trent and the guys have been giving me space, letting me tear through the place without asking too many questions. News travels fast around here, and I know half the towns already heard what happened.
I’m mid-swing when I hear Trent’s boots crunch over the debris.
He doesn’t say anything at first, just stands there, close enough that I can feel the weight of his concern.
I slam the hammer through another section of drywall, harder than necessary, like the motion’s the only thing holding me together.
Finally, his voice cuts through the tension. Low. Careful. “Hey. You good?”
I exhale sharply, muscles burning, and set the hammer down. “Yeah,” I mutter, even though we both know it’s a lie.
He lets out a quiet sigh. “How’s Liv?”
The memory hits before I can stop it—Liv on the ground, her skin pale, her body limp. My chest tightens like a vise, breath catching as the helplessness claws back in.
“She’s okay,” I say, voice rough, the words scraped raw. I swallow hard. “That’s all that matters.”
Trent nods but doesn’t move. “I’m glad. But you’re still allowed to not be okay.”
I glance around. The site’s quiet—no one working, no sound but the wind. Trent catches the look and answers before I can ask.
“I sent the guys on a break,” he says. “Figured you could use some space.”
I swallow hard, flexing my hands before dropping the hammer to the ground. “I’ll be fine,” I mutter. “It just… it’s fucked me up. I left her to fix a fucking generator, and someone drugged her.”
The words taste like acid.
“You couldn’t have known,” Trent says softly. “Could’ve happened to anyone.”
“But it didn’t,” I snap, jaw tight. “It happened to her.”
The anger bubbles just beneath my skin. I grab the hammer again, driving it into the wall with a sharp crunch of plaster—satisfying but not nearly enough.
I drop the hammer, breathing ragged. “Her front door was open when we got back from the hospital,” I say, the thought twisting in my gut. “She can’t remember if she locked it. I’ve got cameras in the truck. After this, can you follow me back to her’s? Help me set them up.”
Trent meets my eyes and nods without hesitation. “Sure.”
When Trent calls time on the day, I head over to the skip, throwing drywall into it.
I’m brushing the dust off my hands when I see him—Glen Woods—stepping out of his top-of-the-line mobile camper in boots too clean to have seen a minute of real work, his pressed shirt wildly out of place against the dirt and sawdust of the site.
His gaze lands on me immediately. “Kade,” he says smoothly, strolling toward the camper I’d already told him wasn’t safe to keep on site, but here he is anyway.
“Looks like you’ve made good progress,” he adds casually, barely glancing at the house. “Bit dusty, though. My car, the camper—coated in the stuff.”
“That’s what happens when you decide to live on a construction site,” I say flatly, wiping my hands on my jeans. I’m in no mood for this jumped-up prick’s shit today.
He smirks like he knows exactly what he’s doing. “I heard about the Fourth of July celebrations,” he says, voice syrupy. “Terrible, what happened to that young woman. You know her? I hear it was the woman from your office. Small towns—everyone knows everyone, right?”
The words hit hard. My jaw tightens, fists clenching before I even think about it. He’s baiting me.
I force a tight smile, grinding my teeth. “I wouldn’t concern yourself with gossip, Mr. Woods. Have a good evening.”
I walk away before he can say another word, catching the scrape of his shoes on the camper steps and a grumble I can’t quite place before the door slams shut.
I drag in a sharp breath and head straight for Trent. “Let’s get those cameras up,” I say, voice tight. “I want them done before the sun goes down.”
When I pull up to Liv’s house, Trent’s truck rolls in right behind me. I grab the two security cameras from the passenger seat and climb out, my boots hitting the gravel with purpose.
The moment I step onto the porch, her soft, familiar laughter drifts through the air, cutting through the heaviness of the day. It’s like a balm, easing the tension from my shoulders. For the first time in what feels like forever, a genuine smile tugs at my lips.
I don’t bother knocking, I just push the door open, Trent following behind me as Aubrey’s voice drifts from the living room.
“I mean, he’s a really good kisser... and you know what they say about a man who knows how to use his mouth.”
“Jesus Christ,” Trent mutters.
I groan, dragging a hand down my face as I step into view. “Seriously? Can you not have this conversation while we’re here to set up cameras? I could go my whole life without hearing that.”
Liv bursts out laughing, her eyes bright when they meet mine. Aubrey just smirks, unbothered as usual.
“First of all, how were we supposed to know you were here? I didn’t hear you knock,” Aubrey says, crossing her arms. “And second, some guys know what they want and aren’t afraid to go after it. I should be able to tell my best friend that.”
“Yeah, well,” I grumble, “I don’t need a reason to punch Justin in the face, so maybe spare us the details.”
Aubrey arches a brow. “Oh, so guys can talk about sex but the second a woman does—”
“Women can,” I cut in. “You, however, are not allowed to. Ever.”
Liv’s laughter spills over, and Aubrey just shakes her head like she’s already won. But my attention’s already somewhere else as I glance at her. Always on her. The noise fades. She stands and walks toward me, still laughing.
Without thinking, I pull her into my arms, right there in the hall. Her warmth, her scent, every part of her softens the sharp edge grinding in my chest.
“Hey, baby,” I whisper against her ear, feeling her melt into me. “Miss me?”
Her smile grazes my neck before she leans back, rising on her toes to press her lips to mine. “Always.”
Aubrey groans. “And yet I’m subjected to this.”
I smirk over my shoulder. “You could always leave.”
Liv swats me, laughing. “Be nice to your sister.”
“Don’t worry, I’m out,” Aubrey says, grinning as she heads for the door. “Vibes ruined anyway.” Her eyes flick toward Trent for just a second, something unreadable passing between them before she throws Liv a softer smile. “See you soon.”
The door clicks shut, and for the first time all day, it’s quiet. For the first time, I can breathe.
Her hands are still resting on my chest. I brush my thumb along her jaw and press a quick kiss to her forehead. “Me and Trent are gonna set up the cameras outside,” I tell her softly. “If you need me, for anything, I’m right here, okay?”
She rolls her eyes in amusement, “I’ll be fine while you're outside Kade.”
I let her go, reluctantly, and Trent and I head out without another word.
Once the cameras are set and Trent’s on his way home, I settle down with the leftover takeout Aubrey and Liv ordered earlier—even though Liv had insisted she wanted to cook for me. Honestly, I just wanted to eat fast and get back to the couch, the only place I’ve wanted to be all day.
When I’m done, I grab Liv’s phone and pull up the security feed, showing her how to use it.
“It’ll alert you anytime there’s movement,” I explain, handing the phone back. “And you can check the live view whenever you want.”
She studies the screen, then glances up. “Do you have it on your phone too?”
I shake my head. “No. Do you want me to?”
She hesitates, then nods. “Yeah… just in case. I mean—if you don’t want to, that’s fine—”
“Liv,” I cut in gently. “It’s not a problem.” I reach for my phone. “I’ll set it up now.”
Her shoulders ease. The tension in mine eases too.
When I’m done, I hold it up. “Now I’ll get the same alerts you do.”
“Thank you,” she smiles, softly. “I know I’m probably overthinking it, but—”
“You’re not.” My voice drops lower. “After everything that’s happened, you’re allowed to be cautious. You don’t have to explain it.”
She gives me a small, grateful smile and leans her head on my shoulder. I slide an arm around her, pulling her in tight. The quiet settles around us. Full of everything unsaid. Full of her.
Her fingertips trail lazy patterns on the inside of my wrist. She lets out a soft yawn, her breath warm against my neck.
“You tired?” I ask.
She nods, eyes heavy. “A little.”
I press a kiss to her hair. “Come on, baby. Let’s get you to bed.”
She hesitates. “You’ll stay?”
I don’t even blink. “Yeah, baby. Of course I will.”
Relief softens her features as we make our way upstairs, her hand brushing mine every so often like she needs the contact to steady herself.
In the bedroom, she changes into her pajamas while I strip out of my clothes, leaving only my boxers. I sit on the edge of the bed, elbows on my knees, my head in my hands as the weight of the day finally catches up with me.
When she’s done, Liv crosses to me, her fingers brushing lightly up my arm. The simple touch pulls me out of my thoughts, grounding me. I glance up at her, and without a word, she climbs into bed.
I turn off the lamp and slide in beside her, tucking her against my chest. My arms lock around her, holding her close like I can keep the rest of the world out just by not letting go.
“Thank you,” she whispers into the dark.
“For what?” I mumble, already half gone.
“For making me feel safe.”
I swallow hard, pressing my lips to her temple. “Always.”
And for the first time in days, my heart doesn’t feel like it’s tearing itself apart.