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But not Cade. He stands and watches as I get out of the Jeep.
“You can stand down now, SuperCade. I’m out of the scary abode and back home safe and sound.”
My exhaustion is probably as clear as my frustration. And the latter escalates when he says, “I’m still not leaving you.”
“What the fuck ever. You really can’t take a hint.” And I don’t care. I need a freaking shower. Between the mud on the shoes I plan to throw away and God knows what else on me, I need to get cleaned up. But once we step into my house, I hear shouts. Heading that way immediately, I realize it’s Ryder and Dad in a full-scale screaming match. Only, when we get to the second-floor landing and I spot them down the hall, I see it’s not merely a vocal bout, but Dad has Ryder’s back to the wall, his frame blocking and challenging him to escape. There’s something about Dad having my brother trapped that frightens me more than it should, more than much ever has. Especially when Ryder shouts back, “And you’re still a fucking piece of shit.”
Dad’s left arm comes up, his forearm presses into Ryder’s neck as I approach. “Get the fuck away from him.”
Dad moves his right arm back then forward quickly, his fist slamming into Ryder’s gut. The sickening sound makes my stomach tighten. Instinctually, I go to grab Dad but don’t make it before a fast and solid form pushes in between us and heads straight for him.
Cade.
He jolts Dad away from Ryder, throwing Dad so off balance that he practically falls into the wall. But Cade keeps a fist of his shirt in one hand as his other swings around and smashes into Dad’s face. Instead of fighting back, Dad attempts to shield his face from another blow but is unsuccessful as Cade’s knuckles slam into his mouth.
“I warned you, motherfucker,” Cade shouts, his rage and movements feral as he keeps attacking Dad. No sign of backing down.
All I do is stand there and watch Dad get exactly what he deserves. A good ass whooping. He roughs up Ryder because he knows my brother won’t swing on him. Why doesn’t he fight back? I’m not sure. Maybe the same reason I challenge my father so fiercely. Just to see how far he’ll take it. And show him that I can handle anything he will ever dish out.
Cade, on the other hand, doesn’t seem interested in playing a game. He wants to put an end to it. And it’s the first time I’m glad he’s around for something other than riding his dick.
Ryder doesn’t want to enjoy the scenery with me. Instead, he makes a few attempts to pull Cade off of Dad until he finally gets a good hold and yanks him away from the one-sided brawl.
“Get up, you fucking coward,” Cade demands while my father, now on the floor, moves to his hands and knees, coughing.
Ryder shoves the wild beast back. “Cade, that’s enough. You’re gonna kill him.”
“Good. That’s what the asshole deserves.” Cade literally spits at Dad who is finally getting on his feet.
“You’re lucky, boy,” Dad groans out. “If I didn’t have so much to lose, I’d break your fucking neck.”
“Come on. I’m right here, motherfucker,” Cade challenges, stepping to Dad as Ryder unsuccessfully tries to stay between them. Something goes still and rigid in Cade’s posture as his voice becomes low, controlled, but still elicits a threatening tone. “You’re the one who’s lucky. Because it took everything I had not to bury your pathetic ass then, so don’t give me a reason to do it now.”
“Then?” Dad lets out a sinister laugh as he wipes blood from his chin. “You didn’t do anything then and you won’t now. Because you know as well as I do she’s not worth it.”
She?Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out I’m the current topic of conversation.
“Shut your fucking mouth,” comes from both Ryder and Cade.
And Dad picks up on the vibe I’m getting as he chuckles. “Let me guess. The two of you didn’t tell her.”
Fuck. This.I can handle a lot but being left out of something that is obviously vital for me to know isn’t going to work for me. “What is it?”
Ryder tenses up, and Cade dismisses it. “Nothing. The bastard just wants to hurt you.”
The sinister grin on Dad’s face stretches wide, and I know for certain—for once, I’m not the biggest liar in the room. I take a step closer to Cade and Dad as Ryder shifts to block me, his voice hushed and pleading, “Morgan, don’t let him do this to you. He just wants to torture us.”
“Someone is going to tell menow. Or I’ll bring this motherfucking house down on all of us.” Every single brick. One by one. Because I know whatever is being kept from me is going to change everything. Yet, I still want to know. No. Ihaveto know.
I watch Ryder struggling, his mouth opens a few times before closing without producing a word.
“She’s going to find out either way,” Cade breathes, his watch still on my dad, but I have a feeling he’s speaking to Ryder.
My brother looks like he’d rather be anywhere but here as he mutters, “I know.”
Yet, there’s still nothing out of his mouth to clue me in. Ryder remains silent like he can’t formulate the information. Cade takes a step away from Dad and towards me, his anxious eyes flick to me. “Your dad saw them take you.”
There’s no way I heard him correctly. No. Because that would mean that Dad saw Lenny and Ava take me and did nothing. As hard as it is to wrap my head around, there’s not a single cell in me that’s surprised. Why would he save me? He doesn’t give a fuck about anyone but himself.
