He shrugs like it’s no big deal. “How about we start over, birdie. I’ll start for you. Thanks, Kasen, for saving me from the thugs I got messed up with and bringing me home to get the urgent medical attention that saved my life.”
“What?” I was about to die? Is that why I can’t remember a thing after getting in Slater’s Range Rover.
He stands, his hands slipping into his suit pockets casually as he leers over me, all tall and dominating. “If we’d left you in that rat-infested dump last night like you wanted us to, you would be a dead girl. You’re lucky I have connections and a doctor on speed dial. Doc says you have a couple of busted ribs and a concussion, that’s why you passed out. Well, that and the lack of food you have been consuming lately.” His eyes run over me, dark and assessing. He looks annoyed with me, like my lack of eating of late has somehow personally offended him.
I cross my arms over my chest and darken my glare. “What exactly are you looking for here, Kasen. I’m hardly your problem to take care of.”
His scowl deepens as his head drops so it’s just a breath away from my face. “You owe me your life, and since all I want in return is foryou to tell me why those fuckers were after you, I guess it’s your lucky day.”
I sit up straighter, tossing my bare legs over the side of the bed. I push up to standing, tilting my head so I’m glaring directly into his eyes. My head thumps like a motherfucker, but I’m not sticking around for whatever power trip he appears to be on. “I don’t owe you a fucking thing.” I shove at his chest to get him out of my way.
He doesn’t budge. He’s a brick wall. He tilts his head to the side, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “See, that’s where you’re wrong. I had plans last night before you went interrupting them with your damsel-in-distress act.” He collects a lock of my long silver hair and rubs his thumb over it.
I roll my eyes. “If those plans were so important, you could have let them have their fun with me. It’s really no skin off your nose.” I pull away from him, turning away when I spot my shorts on a dresser in the corner of the room. I tug them on, zipping up the fly.
His hand lands on my shoulder, and he spins me back toward him. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
I stare up at him. “A headache and a couple of sore ribs, that’s what you said, wasn’t it? Guess I will live.”
His fingers press firmer into my skin. “You will live?” He huffs out a breath. “You look like death’s daughter. What the fuck happened to you?”
“Nice, Kasen, you have changed since I saw you last as well.”
“I didn’t mean…” He pauses, running a hand through his short, perfectly styled hair. “Dove, you have clearly been through some shit. Tell me what happened to you so I can deal with the fuckers who did this.”
My lips twist up at the sides. “You’ve done enough. Thanks for the bed and free medical, I can take it from here.” So done with thisreunion, I step out of his grip and grab my backpack, normally stuffed full, but it’s mostly empty. What the fuck? “Where is all my stuff?”
“Your clothes were filthy; they’re in the wash. Won’t be long till they’re dry.”
My mouth pops open to say something, then it closes again. What on earth is this? “I’ll take them wet.” My hand lands on the door handle. “I have shit to do.”
Kasen moves quickly, stopping me before I have time to open it. “This town has changed a lot since you were last around. A girl like you won’t last on your own out there on our streets.” His voice is deep, demanding, and prickles at my skin. Is he trying to scare me?
He thinks he knows me, but he has no clue what I have been through or what I’m capable of. I’m not some innocent starry-eyed fifteen-year-old anymore. “A girl like me.” A bitter laugh slips from my lips. “Fuck, Kasen, you should hear yourself. Almost sounds like dear daddy about to give me a lecture and all. Lucky for you I don’t need it. I have been taking care of myself a long fucking time. That shit isn’t going to change because you’re feeling all nostalgic. Now, if you will kindly go get my shit so I can get out of here.”
His hand lands on my shoulder. “That’s where you’re wrong, birdie. Doc says you need rest and decent nutrition to help with your recovery, so that’s what you’re going to get. A few weeks of our cook’s food and we will see if you’re ready to stand on your own two feet again.”
I gape back at him. “I’m not staying here with you.”
His grin twists. “You’re not going anywhere until you’re better. Doc will be back to give you the all-clear when I think you’re ready. I’m sure you will like it here. We have top-of-the line everything: a pool, sauna, home gym, and pretty much anything else your heart could desire. Why don’t you go have a shower, clean yourself up. I’ll see howthose clothes are going and get cook to sort you some food.” He opens the door.
I try to shove past him, but somehow, he’s able to get out and leave me on this side. With a click, the door is locked.
I check the handle. “You better not have locked me in here,” I shriek back at him.
No response, but his dark chuckle is enough to tell me that’s exactly what he just did. Locked me in some fucking room in his house. So he can what, “take care of me?” I can’t even process what kind of topsy-turvy world I woke up in this morning. Did I hit my head when Dax was beating me up? I must have, because nothing makes sense.
I bang on the door, waiting for him to come back and tell me it’s all a screwed-up joke. “Kasen, get back here.” But he doesn’t come back. “I’m not staying with you,” I cry again, fresh frustration coursing through me. Shit, he’s really locked me in.
My heart leaps into my chest, panic flooding my veins as I glance around the bedroom. It’s stunning, with soft curtains draping from double French doors that lead out to a balcony. A huge king-sized bed sits pride of place in the center of the room with soft linens in white and pale blues, with a bedside table on either side. To one side of the bed is a door that leads into a walk-in closet, and on the other wall is a bathroom with full bath and shower. It’s like a luxurious hotel room that has never been used. Every surface is in pristine condition and looks like it’s worth a small fortune. But that doesn’t make me want to stay.
Kasen Throne cannot be trusted.
With fresh determination, I head right for the double French doors and try to shove them open, but they’re locked closed. With fresh panic, I rush into the adjoining bathroom. That window is the same. That fucker has really trapped me in here. What was his thoughtprocess? Lock me up like a child because he knows I don’t want to be here? I can’t even wrap my head around how his brain must work.
I take hold of the sink and take a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself down. In for three and out for three just like Talon taught me when I started having panic attacks. Pain jolts through my chest, the deep breaths doing nothing but reminding me of how damn damaged I am. Two broken ribs, thanks to Dax and Brock. But I can’t stay locked up here until I’m all better like Kasen thinks. I need to get my shit together so I can do what I came back home to do. Find out what the hell happened the night my mother was killed. Most of it’s a blur to me. Me yelling, glass shattering, a gun going off with a pop, and Kasen’s dad. I remember his face so damn clearly.
I shake my head, trying to clear the swirling thoughts of the past, knowing now is not the time for them to consume me. I have never gotten any closer to finding the missing pieces when my mind was in a good place; it’s not going to happen today when I’m a mess.
