Page 93 of Shattered Hate

I haven’t heard anyone call him Kaleb in years. It’s always Kal.

“Kaleb?” Bohdi questions from behind Toni, confusion marring his face.

“I knew I recognized him, I just couldn’t pinpoint where from,” Bohdi’s brother Cash says, standing next to Bohdi. Then he leans in, whispering into Bohdi’s ear which makes Bohdi’s face pale a considerable amount.

What the fuck is going on?

I turn my focus to Kal. His eyes flit between Toni, Rylee, Cash, and Bohdi, each face now mirroring the shock of witnessing a ghost. Bohdi’s voice comes in an awed whisper. “It all makes sense…” as if Kal has morphed into someone unrecognizable. “Bu-but…” Bohdi falters, his usual smooth tone shattered. The revelation sits heavy: This runs deeper than Kal has ever let on.

“The auction.” Bodhi snaps his fingers like he’s trying to remember something. “Hawks. I remember seeing the papers the day after. Kaleb Hawks.”

“Auction?” I hiss, leaning in, full of suspicion. “What the fuck have you gotten yourself into?”

“Hawks,” Bohdi scoffs, as he runs his fingers through his hair as it all clicks into place in his head. And here I stand, reeling at the face of a girl—a girl Kal has been relentlessly chasing, fucking pining, for nearly three agonizing years. And she’s now strangely linked to Bohdi. Kal has been making moves and hasn’t even told me or Bray. Wait until I get him on his own.

“Toni,” Kal calls out, his eyes fixed on her, softening as he swallows hard, a bittersweet grin flickering across his features. “Long time.”

Before Toni can answer, a small commotion shatters the heavy air—the little girl bursts through like a sudden heartbeat, dark hair in playful pigtails, her tiny fingers clutching Toni’s leg desperately. Time seems to slow. Toni looks down at the child, then uncertainly shifts her gaze to Kal. Rylee’s hand flies to her mouth in another gasp as her eyes begin to glisten. I watch, transfixed, at the little girl, Toni, and the man with the blond hair. It strikes me that the little girl’s hair is a dark, rich brown. Nothing like the mom’s or the blond guy standing behind them. But much like the guy standing next to me.

I edge up beside Kal. “How long ago were you with her?” His intake of breath is jagged, his eyes locked on Toni, who lifts the little girl, cradling her against her chest as tears streak down Toni’s face. Kal’s face pales further; it’s almost ghostly. My glance flits to Bohdi and Brayden—Bohdi whispering as Brayden’s hand rises to his mouth in a silent, shocked acknowledgment.

I point to the little girl, voice a trembling whisper. “Kal…” No one says it aloud; it lingers, unspoken, but heavy in the air. Then, as I turn to meet his searching eyes, I repeat with a mix of dread and resolve, “Kal…” Slowly, he swivels to face me. “Is she yours?”

The end.