He slides in behind the wheel, slamming his door shut with more force than necessary. His knuckles blanch white as he grips the wheel tightly, making no move to start the car. “Why aren’t you is a more interesting question.”
“Jackson hasn’t betrayed me.”
“Hasn’t he?” He swivels in his seat, facing me. “Hunt and Lauder were part of the plan too. They both kept stuff from you, but I’m the only one you’re mad at.”
“They weren’t concealing their true identities!! And they weren’t sleeping in my bed at night and holding me in their arms like it meant something.”
“Of course, it meant something.” He starts the engine. “And you fucking know it.”
I won’t dignify that with a response, so I stay quiet, pouting and sulking and plotting ways to hurt him.
Sawyer steps in front of the car, just as Kai is about to drive forward. He comes around to my window, gesturing at me to lower it. Kai presses the button from his side, lowering my window all the way. “What?” I snap.
“Wow. Someone’s in a good mood.”
I cross my arms and glare at him. “Did you want something?”
“Don’t call Xavier from town. Your father is most likely tracking him, and he can trace the call to here. I know you’re mad at Anderson, but don’t put his life in danger.”
“I would never put his life in danger,” I truthfully admit. “No matter how mad I am at him. Contrary to what you seem to think of me, I don’t condone violence or murder.”
He places his hand on my forearm. “I know that, but a friendly reminder of all that’s at stake can’t hurt.”
I offer him a curt nod. “I won’t call Xavier. I promise.” And I mean it.
I expect Kai to offer some commentary on that discussion as we drive away from the house, but he’s stubbornly silent. We don’t speak at all, even though I’m dying to know where we’re going. But it can’t be far, and I won’t give him the satisfaction of asking.
We emerge from the long driveaway onto the bumpy narrow road, and I pull my legs into my chest, wrapping my arms around them. He glances at me strangely.
“What?” He ignores me. “Why did you look at me like that?” I demand.
“No reason,” he coolly replies, and I scowl at him. His lips pull into a smile. “You hate not knowing, don’t you?”
“Doesn’t everyone?”
His good humor fades, and he tightens his grip on the wheel. “I know you’re winding me up about Barron, but I want to make myself absolutely clear. No other man is raising that kid but me.”
I snort. “Because you’re so qualified.”
His nostrils flare. “I basically raised my brothers, and they’ve turned out okay.”
“You’re hardly a worthy role model,” I scoff, pulling my mouth into a sneer.
The car lurches to the side of the road and slams to a halt. I bounce in my seat with the motion. “What the fuck does that mean?” he spits out.
“You’re not capable of raising a kid. You’re an abusive, bullying asshole who lies like it’s second nature. That’s hardly a sound moral compass to teach an impressionable child. God only knows how many ways you’ve fucked up your brothers. I feel sorry for them.”
Steam is practically billowing out of his ears, and his fingers twitch as his gaze drops to my throat. “You want to wrap your hands around my throat. Don’t you?” I taunt as I unbuckle my belt and climb across the console. “Do it.” I arch my neck, thrusting my face all up in his. “I already know the truth of who you are. Do it. You hate me because I’d rather kiss, fuck, and marry Charlie Barron than raise a kid with you.” I lick his cheek. “You want to hurt me,” I whisper against his ear. “I see it in your face.” I lick his other cheek, and he’s grasping the wheel so tight now I doubt any blood is flowing to his fingers. “I see it in the way your muscles are straining against your shirt.” I drop my hand to his lap, rubbing my palm against the growing bulge in his pants. “I feel it in your growing erection.” I nip at his earlobe. “You want to hurt me, so do it.”
I’m off his lap, and back in my seat, before I’ve even blinked. He radiates anger. Like, I can almost see it dripping off him in thick, gloopy lumps. “You don’t know what you’re saying.” His voice is guttural and low. “Heed this warning, Abby.” He grips my chin, tipping my head back. “This is the last time you’ll mention taking that baby from me.” He tightens his grip, and it hurts. His jaw clenches, and his chest is heaving, and I’ve definitely struck a nerve. “I want to fuck you up so bad for this,” he admits. The menacing look on his face and deathly quality to his voice work this time.
Now, I’m afraid.
But I’m not apologizing.
I’ll say sorry when he does.
He lets go of my chin, and I resist the urge to rub at it. “I’m not losing that baby.” His determined eyes drill into mine, and a shiver works its way through me. My heart races around my rib cage, and I’ve stopped breathing. “No one is taking him or her away from me.” His eyes glaze over, his entire body shakes with unrestrained anger, and he looks seconds away from losing it.
“Don’t move!” he barks before climbing out of the car and stalking across the road. He disappears into the forest, and I let out the breath I was holding.
Adrenaline still flows through my veins, and nausea churns in my gut, but my skin tingles all over, and a deep ache pulses between my thighs.
I wonder if Kai felt like that all the times he was pushing me. It’s a weird blend of arousal and sheer terror that is both exciting and shameful.
Closing my eyes, I lean my head back as I wait for him to return. I doze off until I’m woken by the loud slamming of the door. I jerk my eyes open, regarding him carefully. His mask is back in place as he kick-starts the engine and maneuvers the car back out onto the road. He refuses to look at me, or speak to me, and that suits me perfectly.
My gaze flits to his shredded, bloodied knuckles, and I turn my head toward the window so he doesn’t see my smile.
I’m getting to him.
And it feels good.
Fuck feeling guilty.
This is no time to grow a conscience.
After all the shit he’s pulled on me, I’m entitled to some payback.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Kai pulls the car into a parking lot of a small shopping mall and parks the car. He gets out, without uttering a word, rounds the front of the car, and opens my door. “Out.”
“Is that anyway to speak to your baby momma?” I chastise.
“You have ten seconds to get your ass out of that seat or I’m turning around and going back. It’s no skin off my nose if you want to continue borrowing Faye’s shit.”
I scramble out of the car, trailing behind him as we approach the row of storefronts. It’s bitterly cold today, and a harsh wind swirls around me, causing me to shiver uncontrollably. He comes to a halt in front of me, turning around as he unzips his jacket.
“I don’t—”
He places his hand over my mouth as he slips off his jacket. “Don’t test me.”