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“That make me very sad for you, but I will never allow my flesh and blood to grow up with a father who refuses to allow him to be a child. Do you understand?”
Half laughing, I returned to stroking her face. “You’re so bold. So rebellious. And you have no understanding of the real world.”
Her smile lit up her face, but it was wry, as if she was holding a huge secret. “You just might be surprised. You need to look at your arm.”
“I’m fine, Jade.”
“Jesus Christ. Then let me look at your arm unless you want to lose the use of it.” She started to ease the material from my shoulder, but I stopped her.
“Do you understand what danger you were in?”
Her lower lip quivered but she finally nodded.
“You will be punished for running from me, but not until we return. You are going to learn to accept my rules in my house. Period.”
She was one formidable lady, the kind of girl who’d managed to take my breath away.
“Yes.Sir.”
I allowed her to peel away the fabric, her gentleness a pleasant reminder that she was entirely different in every way. As she gazed at the wound, I allowed the past to reenter my mind. Maybe she was right in that I’d be a different man had it not been for the very kind of violence I’d acted on my entire life.
“Can I ask you a question?”
After shifting away from the memory, I nodded.
“Who is Nickolas?”
They say life could turn on a dime.
Often with a single word, a phrase, or by meeting a stranger on the street corner.
At that moment, it was the past colliding with the present.
And I wasn’t certain I could survive the aftermath.
CHAPTER11
Constantine
Nickolas.
The name had remained stuck in my mind since Jade had asked the question. I’d told her the half-truths without providing any details about the horrific crime that had rocked all of Kansas City. And thankfully, she hadn’t asked, but I’d seen the shift in her gaze, as if she knew I wasn’t telling her everything.
It still seemed difficult to believe an intruder had managed to enter my father’s house, abducting a kid he believed to be the firstborn son of the Thorn Empire. My mother had said a prayer to the heavens above for keeping watch. I’d only survived because I’d had to go to the bathroom. That had set me up for several years of anger and guilt, neither of which a psychiatrist had been able to help control.
The poor bastard had finally given up, telling my parents I’d likely grow out of it. In a way I had, turning into a vicious man.
While my parents had tried to keep the disgusting details of what the assailant had done to Nick away from me, I’d managed to find out every gory detail. The man had been a twisted pervert with a penchant for children. He’d also been a hired gun for an enemy that had never taken credit for the horrific crime. Of course they hadn’t. They’d fucked up.
I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about the incident since the second she’d mentioned his name, even though I’d gotten word there was talk on the streets of retaliation. I’d need to be prepared. A family gathering had also been called for the evening, something my father liked to do from time to time. It often felt more like a summit meeting than a family event, often with far too much testosterone.
I’d made several phone calls on the return flight, watching her carefully as I did. She’d seemed emotionless, although I’d sensed her confusion because of everything that had happened in little more than twenty-four hours.
As we disembarked the plane, Tristen moved ahead of me with her bag, Jeffrey waiting with one of the vehicles. He was leaning against the SUV with his arms crossed, dark shades unable to hide a scowl on his face. Zane, another one of my soldiers, had brought my Camaro, my preferred ride.
Jade shielded her eyes, her face pensive. “A welcoming party?”
I moved in front of her, waiting until I’d grabbed her attention. “You’re going with Tristen back to my house. Both he and my business manager are going to stay with you until I return.”
