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Once I’m home, I step into the kitchen and spot the person who’s unquestionably been avoiding me. My father. He shifts uncomfortably when he notices my arrival, shooting me a quick glance before he does a double take to look at my face. I’m almost certain it’s the first time he’s getting a good view of the damage. He doesn’t say anything, though, merely returns his attention to his cell and ignores me.
I let a laugh loose and shake my head as I continue walking through the kitchen.
“Morgan.”
When I stop and look at him, I expect him to ask the same are-you-okay shit that most anyone would upon seeing my face… to at least play the fatherly role. But that’s not what he does. He doesn’t have to play the part because no one is watching. So I only get, “I’m sure Cade has informed you of the situation.”
“Yeah. I know he’s still your all-star bitch.”
“Then you know to stay in line to keep everything and everyone out of trouble. Including Cade. Correct?”
I hate threats. I hate blackmail. Yeah. I’m great at dishing them out. But I don’t like getting served those dishes because I don’t like being underestimated. Since I’d been heading away from him, I walk back towards Dad, staring at him for a minute, disgusted at the pitiful piece of shit he really is. “You can control Cade all you want, but don’t think for one second that I’m going to bow to you.”
“Not even for Ryder’s well-being?”
He knows that’s my vulnerable spot. My brother. The one person he can use against me. Again. Caring equals weakness. But he won’t get the upper hand on me. I take a step closer, notably within reach to show him I’m not scared of him physically or in any other way. “I dare you. I dare you to do anything to hurt my brother, then sit back and watch what I do to you. Because I can promise it will be much worse than any punishment you have planned for me. Unlike you, I have nothing to lose.”
His face tightens, and I see it. The doubt. He knows not to challenge me. I learned from the best. Him. But I’m still better, because unlike him, I don’t care what it costs me. He’s worried about losing his precious lifestyle.
“Don’t push me, Morgan. I’ve had enough. And a desperate man is a dangerous one. You should know that better than most.” His eyes look over my face and the bruises trailing down my arm.
An ominous shiver instinctively crawls down my spine at his words. He means Lenny. At least that’s what I assume. He’s using one of the worst moments against me as a threat. I don’t need him to fawn over me and make sure I’m okay. But he won’t use what happened tomeagainst me.
Stepping even closer to him, putting only inches between us, I keep my voice steady and unyielding. “And the only thing more dangerous than a desperate man is a reckless bitch with no fucks left to give. So, push me. Please. I’m fucking ready to unleash.”
His posture remains severe, his expression challenging. But I know he’s not going to make a move. I see the uncertainty in his eyes. He doesn’t know what I’m capable of. Has always refused to see it.
He knows his little plan with Thatcher will be shot and so will his hopes of walking away with a fortune. Only the joke’s on him, because he already lost that bet. It’ll just take him a minute longer to realize. But it’s nice to know he still thinks he has the advantage.
He keeps an unyielding position as he says, “Get in my way, and you will regret it.” His words might sound tough, but he immediately backs away, leaving the room, which tells me he’s not up for it. I wasn’t backing down, but the bastard did easily… so I continue upstairs, content with how that went. For now.
Once I’m in my bedroom, I head straight for the shower. It’s not as relaxing as a soak in the tub, but I don’t have it in me to sit in there. Not when the first thing I envision when I enter the bathroom is Cade’s stupid ass in it with me last night. Nope. No repeat of that for sure.
So, after a quick shower, I pull on a cami and panties before sliding into bed. It’s early. I’m barely even tired. But I feel like I could sleep for days. Unfortunately, my mind doesn’t agree because I’m still lying awake hours later when I feel the bed shift beside me. And it’s not hard to figure out who it is because the idiot wraps his arm around me and pulls my back to his chest just as we’d slept the night before. This shouldn’t feel customary. But I’m good with the current position until he says, “I missed this.”
I don’t make a move away from him, but I say, “Get out.”
“But I could be of use.” His lips trail over my shoulders, feathering soft kisses. “Since you said I didn’t impress last night.”
I jab an elbow back, dislodging his arm from me, and I take the moment to slide off the bed and flip on the light. “I said leave. Now.”
He looks to my finger that’s pointed at the bedroom door. “I didn’t come for sex. We can just sleep.”
That’s worse, so his defense really falls flat. “Like I said, get out.”
Slowly, he moves towards me instead of in the direction he’s supposed to be headed—out of here and away from me. “Don’t make me leave. Whether you want to admit it or not, we both need this.” He motions between the two of us.
“You’re such a fucking dumbass. How many times do we have to go over this? I. Don’t. Need. You. I. Don’t. Want. You. Fuck. Off.”
The muscle in his jaw tightens as he looks down at his bare feet, his hand rubbing against his bare stomach as he shakes his head. “One day, I might listen and just quit trying. I can’t do this the rest of my life.”
“Good. Make that day tonight.” I fold my arms over my chest and give him my best unbothered, fall-off-a-cliff-and-get-lost expression.
He pulls at his hair as he walks closer to me. “No. That’s what you want, and right now, I want nothing more than to piss you off.”
“You’re not pissing me off. You’re annoying me. I don’t have time to get mad over mundane shit that doesn’t matter.”
“Oh well, close enough.” He turns his back to me, and I think he’s heading out of my bedroom.
