Page 89 of Unhinged Cain

“No, this can’t be happening,” my mother said.

“Sunshine, what would you like me to do?” I looked at my mother, who was now sweating so much that her face had a sheen to it. Then she looked at Peter, who was trying hard to play the part of possum, but I remembered every shitty, abusive thing he’d ever said or done, including when he attacked me in his car. Walking forward, I looked down at my mother and then knelt beside Cain so I could stare into her eyes.

“Maybe you should’ve loved me over your image or ambition just a little bit more. Maybe I wouldn’t have fallen in love with a man that’s going to happily kill you and display you for all of your agent friends to find.”

“Kirby, don’t you dare do this. I’m still your mother,” she said, and her tone was begging, but all I saw was her condescending face spilling her lies.

“You’re callus, mother—callus, cold and self-serving. I’m not sure how I ended up being birthed by you, and I’m happy that Dad was in my life, even if you think he was a bad influence. He accepted me, he loved me, and he was around. Do you know I don’t have one birthday picture with you, and you weren’t at my high school graduation or cheer championships? I want you to think about all those mistakes you’ve made while all you concerned yourself with was getting to the top.

I winced, and Cain helped me stand up straight. I looked at Cain as the anger that had been boiling a moment ago began to twist into something much worse for her. I no longer cared at all. I was numb. I was empty. She’d abused my heart so much that it no longer beat for her.

“How good are you at framing someone?”

“Do you even need to ask?” he said and smiled. I shook my head no and gave him a little smirk.

“Kirby, please. I’m asking you not to do whatever it is you’re thinking,” my mother said, and for the first time, there was no bravado or arrogance. She was just a woman, but it was also too little too late.

I looked into my mother’s eyes. “I want you to know that whatever happens from this moment on, you caused it. Your decisions have sealed your fate,” I said, my voice as calm as if I were ordering a drink from a menu.

Linking my finger with Cain’s hand, I brought it to my lips to kiss and made sure my mother could see me. I felt his reassurance, I felt his acceptance, and I felt his love. He was part of me now as I was part of him.

“Kirby, please don’t do this,” my mother said, but I ignored her.

“Kill her, frame him, but….” I snarled, my hand clenching into a fist. “I don’t want him ever to be found.”

“I love it when you talk dirty to me,” Cain said. He wrapped his arm around my waist and kissed me until my head felt light. Opening my hand, he placed the truck keys into my palm.

“You’re not going to want to see this. Why don’t you get us coffees and muffins from Mode and meet me back here in a couple of hours?”

“But, he’s not open.”

Cain leaned in close to my ear. “It’s amazing what you can accomplish with a little extra money.” He kissed my cheek and smiled. “Jorge is excited to see you.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him hard. The mumbling screams coming from the two captives were nothing more than background music.

“You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you,” Cain softly sang against my lips.

“Until you take my sunshine away,” I finished for him and then turned and walked out, making sure to close the door behind me.

“Kirby, please don’t do this! Kirby!” I heard my mother scream before the door clicked closed. My mother was my past, Cain was my future, and I no longer cared what happened to her, but I was going to see Dad as soon as possible. We had some catching up to do, and I wanted Dad to walk me down the aisle.

Who was I now?

That still remained to be seen, but what I wasn’t was the girl that let life dictate how I should live, what was right and wrong, and who I should love. Cain was mine. I was his, and I’d die to protect that. I’d die to protect him and what we have, and I knew he would do the same.

KIRBY

As I walked the long corridor to the main office area, my heels clicked. I had a newfound power inside of me. I found myself more confident, and people sensed it. As I strode through the hall, the mass of people seemed to be moved by a magical hand. It felt like I owned them. My dark navy coat fluttered out behind me, and I knew I belonged. I’d found my calling, and just needed to put the final pieces in place.

I was in the midst of planning our wedding, which Cain found amusing and unneeded but agreed to do for me. Holding out my hand, I smiled as I stared at the stunning diamond and amethyst engagement ring. It amazed me that the man that could easily take a life could also be so thoughtful and sweet. The house was always filled with purple flowers, he knew exactly how I liked my bath, brought me a muffin and coffee a day from Mode, and he never missed a dinner. I was starting to think that everyone needed a Cain in their life.

Cain was encouraging me to take the bull by the horns. Today that was exactly what I was going to do. It was time the FBI promoted me, and I was no longer ashamed or worried about what anyone thought. It was time that I formally introduced myself to my father.

Our conversation about my idea crossed my mind as I marched along the hallways.

“I don’t understand why you want me to kill these guys,” Cain said as he looked through the folder I’d given him.

“Because these guys are the kind of guys I’m fine with you killing.” He lifted a single brow at me, and I instantly wanted to kiss the look off his face.