Kaden’s fingers curl into my hair as he pulls my head back and cranes my neck up to him. There’s something finite and delirious in his gaze as his eyes caress over every soft feature of my face. “Because,” he breathes with reverence, “I’ve waited my whole life to have you, Melody. I’m done waiting. You belong to me.”
He presses forward, stealing the air from my lungs as he kisses me softly. It isn’t hurried or desperate. It’s tender and bittersweet as my emotions battle with my reason. I shouldn’t be kissing him back. Not after everything he’s put me through…
He pulls away, cupping my face. “Lay down before I make you, pretty girl.”
My pulse revs as my eyes flicker to Dylan’s still form in the living room. “You said you were going to handle him…”
Kaden brushes his lips over my temple, making my eyes flutter. “Stop worrying about him. He isn’t your responsibility anymore.”
“He has a child…” I trail, shaking my head. “Please, don’t kill him—”
Kaden’s grip tightens as a laugh is squeezed from him. “Kill him? He deserves far worse than death.”
“He has a child,” I repeat with a croak. “She needs him.”
My stepbrother tilts his chin down to me, his brows rising. “If you give me a minimal fight, I’ll reward you by not killing him. How does that sound? I’ll shove him on the next flight back to California and wash my hands of it.”
I don’t want to agree to any more bets with him, but I don’t want Dylan to die. He fucked me over, but he doesn’t deserve to meet an early grave because of it. This is all so fucked…
“Okay…” I nod in resignation as I ease down onto the bed, and my hands grip the edge. I shiver as a chill begins to settle deep in my bones.
“Lie back,” Kaden instructs softly as he pulls the covers over me. I nestle in, my eyes staying locked with his as he kisses my forehead.
I could leave.
The moment he’s gone, I’ll pack a bag and get out of here. He won’t know…
Kaden hums against me before drawing back. “Don’t even think about it.” He whispers, as if he can hear my thoughts. “You don’t want me to track you down. It won’t end pretty.”
I nod even though every cell of my being screams at me not to agree. My demon is tucking me into bed as the last dregs of my adrenaline course through me, andexhaustion weighs me down. My eyes droop against my better judgment as something familiar tugs at me.
When did I get so tired?
“Good night, Melody,” Kaden whispers before leaving my room.
I stare up at the ceiling, groggily trying to keep my eyes open before the sound of a scraping chair makes my head turn. The door handle jiggles, and dread makes my heart stop.
He jammed the door so I couldn’t get out.
As I close my eyes in defeat, a single tear slips out, rolling down my cheek.
Chapter sixty-one
Kaden
SAINT:
She fucking bit me twice, but we made it. She’s getting dressed now. Sergey’s wife is helping her.
I pocket my phone before fixing my tie in the long mirror of my dressing room. Ivan and a few of the guys take up the lounge area, glasses of whiskey in their hands as they celebrate my nuptials.
The Plaza was a nice choice. It was Melody’s first pick before the price discouraged her from choosing it. After Saint did some digging and found all of her tossed plans, I swooped in and made sure everything was set in stone. It cost a pretty penny to book at the last minute, but money will never be a problem. She’s set for life and has no idea yet.
The warm glow of the chandelier above me bathes over us in soft lighting. The staff has been running ragged around the banquet hall to set up everything with a promise that it’s all taken care of. The centerpieces my girl wanted, the orchestra she couldn’t book in time, and the catering company she originally reached out to have set up their stations.
She deserves her special day. Even if she’s furious with me right now.
The door opens as Saint sweeps in with a bloodied knuckle. His navy tie is hanging unfastened around his neck, and his suit jacket is open as he flashes his wounds to me with a shit-eating grin. “She’s so fucking mad at you.”