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Lifting my eyes to his, hot panic grips me. I hate the fear I feel in this moment, shaking me to my core, my heart pounding like I ran a damn marathon. The past comes rushing back—the desperation, the anxiety, the overwhelming sadness—and my chest is tight, so tight I’m afraid I might pass out.
I need King—like I need air to breathe—and I hate it.
“No. Not this time. Not again.” My voice breaks on a plea, a tear spilling onto my cheek.
“Baby ...” King swipes it away, cupping my cheek. “Don’t cry. Please don’t cry.”
“I’ll handle my brothers. Just please don’t give up on us.”
25
KING
I can’t stand those motherfuckers.
Seeing her cry, knowing all of this is happening because of me, is a sucker punch to the damn gut.
I brush those tears away, but my gut’s tight and knotty, twisted up with dread.
She should be out living a good life, have a baby or two, a cute little house with a front-porch swing. A stable job that uses her smarts. She was in college, for fuck’s sake.
Until me.
I ruined that for her. Her chance to get out. Be free. Far away from her asshole brothers.
Free from me and all the bullshit of our small-minded town.
This is why I pushed her away the first time.
You tried.
I should have stayed away from her, kept my distance. Stuck to the plan.
But no. I let my cock lead the way, and look what’s happening. Her friend’s being threatened. She’s getting grilled by Cash. And now Jagger’s going to come looking for trouble.
And I’m in fucking deep with her all over again.
Leaving her might actually break me this time.
Even if I don’t deserve her, I can’t walk away again, make that kind of sacrifice.
It’s too much to ask.
Because you’re in love with her.
“I’m gonna take a shower.” I unwind myself from her, already missing her warm curves, the smooth skin, the light floral scent of her shampoo. “We should get going.”
“What? Where?” Juliet’s brow creases in confusion.
“Home.”
“But you didn’t find Lacey.”
I shrug. “I know. But that’ll have to wait. I need to get you back.”
Her hand darts out, grabbing my forearm, and I stop moving.
“Wait. We can’t leave without seeing her, King. That was the whole point of this trip. And I’m not letting you down again.”
