His phone rings again, and this time he answers it. “What?” he barks. I’ve never heard him use that tone before. Ever.
“I’m at Kenzie’s. I’m staying here tonight.”
He rolls his eyes. “No, fuck you. I’m staying here, and you can’t make me leave.” He pauses. “I don’t care. I warned you not to hurt her. I even trusted you. I’ve never been so fucking ashamed to be your son in my entire life.”
He hangs up and throws his phone against the wall.
And when I start ugly crying, he wraps me in his arms and holds me.
It doesn’t keep me from falling apart.
But it means the world to me.
21
CHANCE
Two Hours Ago
“What are we going to do?” Warden asks, staring down at the photographs of Kenzie spread out on my desk. “The note says if we don’t give them our territory, they’re going to kill her.”
Picking up one of the images, I stare at her smiling face. She’s at the school, talking to one of her students. I’d do anything to keep her safe.
Anything.
“I need her to go away for a few weeks,” I say, realizing it’s the only way. “I need her safe so I can finish this. They’re all going to pay for threatening my fucking old lady.”
“What do you want me to do?” he asks.
Picking up my phone, I text Freya to say I need to see her now before Kenzie comes back from shopping.
“Is the new girl still here?”
“Red? Yeah, she’s downstairs chatting with Sassy. Why?” he asks, frowning.
Scrubbing a hand down my chin, I make a decision I know I’m going to regret.
Kenzie isn’t going to leave unless I make her.
She’s too loyal.
Too good.
I should have left her the fuck alone.
“Tell her to come up here. Tell her I’ve changed my mind on getting that first taste.” I feel sick just saying the words.
Warden frowns, hesitating.
“Now!” I snap, needing to get this done to ensure she’s safe.
I have fallen in love with my siren.
I have known it for a while now.
And she might hate me after this, but at least she’ll be alive.
Please.