Page 24 of Code Violation

“Is it over yet?” I repeat, hands now covering my face despite my hiding behind a broad hockey player frame.

“Come here.”

He loops his arm around my shoulders, and I bury my face into his side.

Christ, he smells good. Too good.

“I bet none of your girlfriends were ever this wimpish.”

A low grumble vibrates in his rib cage, and suddenly, I’m peering up at him, chin pinned between his thumb and forefinger.

“What makes you say that, Ves?”

I bite down on my bottom lip. “I don’t really know. To be honest, you’ve never spoken about your love life, and I’ve only ever met one girl you dated. But judging by tonight, it’s clear that you’re well practiced in treating a girl right, even when she’s too chickenshit to watch a movie.”

Silas picks up the remote and pauses the movie, throwing the room into silence. It’s dark outside, but my blinds are still open, the streetlights and world below adding to the glow from the TV screen.

“I’ve never let anyone get close enough to me. And I can’t remember the last time I went on a date.”

I sit up straight, hair a disheveled mess. “What about Stevie?”

He just shrugs, and for the first time all night, Silas looks a little uneasy.

“Not sure if you’ve noticed this before, but I’m not that great at trusting people. After my dad got handed a long stretch behind bars and Mom passed away, it’s been about survival and not getting hurt again.”

Silas picks up the empty pizza box and sets it on the floor.

“Is that why you’ve held on to any form of a relationship with Kane? Because you didn’t want to lose another family member?”

I watch the way his Adam’s apple bobs.

“If I’d had the choice, I would’ve cut Kane out of my life a long time ago. Only two things held me back.”

Goose bumps break out down my arms in response to the way he’s looking at me. I’m only wearing a white T-shirt and sleep shorts, but I don’t try to hide the effect his words have on me.

“What were the things?” I ask in a small voice.

“It doesn’t matter.”

I pull back and look him dead in the eyes. “It does matter. Tell me.”

He shakes his head. “Why don’t we just watch the movie, and then I’ll grade your mermaid?”

I shake my finger at him and steal the remote before he gets a chance to hit Play. “No. I’m putting my foot down. No more movies and definitely no mermaid grading until I get answers.”

The devilish grin he gives me is enough to melt my panties clean off.

“Such a fucking bossy girl, Knockout. Stubborn too.”

I stick my nose in the air, living up to the reputation I seem to have acquired.

“Before she died”—Silas’s voice is low and gravelly—“my mom made me promise that I’d look out for Kane. That I’d always make sure he was okay and not struggling for money.”

My heart falls an inch in my chest, and Silas pulls a deep breath into his lungs.

“For the most part, keeping that promise has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do”—deep blue eyes pin me in place—“apart from the years I’ve known you. Being around Kane meant I could spend time with you and make sure you were doing okay.” He looks annoyed with himself, brows pinned together, pieces of light-brown hair falling into his eyes. “I’m sorry I didn’t know the extent of how badly he treated you or that he was drinking to excess and taking his miserable fucking existence out on you.”

Silas pushes a hand through his hair, and I take it in mine, clutching it in my lap.