Page 53 of Kade
24
BECCA
He’s pulling away from me. I’m holding out hope, but it’s fading. The way he watches me like he’s looking for my flaws is getting to me. I find myself more and more on edge when we’re together. Hell, I’m afraid to have more than one drink in front of him, worried about what I’ll say. What he’ll think.
It feels like he’s just looking for an excuse to end things. Even when we touch.
I shake off my heavy thoughts, determined to have a good night at dinner. I’m going to be watching Holly and Micah like a hawk. I’m determined to have fun.
I don’t have a mirror, but I can imagine how mussed I am. I rub my fingers over my reddened cheeks, then smooth my hair and clothes as I head toward the front window and close the blinds. I’m startled by the man who darts in the front door, his hair sticking up. There was no one out there when I looked a second ago. He’s sweaty, and his eyes are darting around the office. The hairs on the back of my neck stand straight up.
I’m immediately on edge. Something about this, about him, is wrong. He’s pacing back and forth, mumbling. I briefly consider heading out the front door as he paces back toward the reception desk. But no, I don’t want him out of my sight. My friends are in the back, and I don’t like the looks of him.
Instead, I take a long step back, putting the coffee table between us, drawing him toward me and away from the door to the bays. I catalog him as I move. An inch or two taller than me, jacket too warm for the day, T-shirt, blue jeans. Broad shoulders, straight nose. Carries himself with confidence. This man is physically dominant, used to using his strength and size. His face is tight, angry. He’s on edge. He turns and locks the front door, then darts forward, and I step back again, moving so my back is to the wall. He’s between me and both doors.
I hate that I'm cornered and that I let him block my exit, but I’m satisfied that he’s focusing on me.
“Where is she?” His voice is hard, deep. His lips are curled up in a snarl, and his hands are balled into fists.
“Who?” I ask, but I have a sinking feeling I know exactly who he’s looking for.
“My fucking wife, you stupid bitch. Where is she?” The spit flies out of his mouth, landing on the coffee table separating us. His emotions are pinging all over the place, and my adrenaline pumps. This situation is going to go to shit pretty quickly. I know it.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know who you’re talking about.” I say, trying to slow this down. But I do know.
“My fucking wife. Where the fuck is Hannah?” he seethes.
“I’m sorry, I can’t help you. I don’t know anyone named Hannah. You need to leave now.” I take a step toward him, pointing at the door. My voice is clear. Authoritative. Just like I’ve practiced my whole life. I didn’t think it would work, and it doesn’t. He’s way too amped up.
But the red blinking lights in the corners of the room tell me the cameras are recording. It needs to be clear and on tape that I asked him to leave. I can’t hear anything from the back. The bays are closed up tight already, and I don’t hear voices. Maybe they’re at the far end, away from the office. That thought brings me some peace. Holly’s safe with the guys. And they all need to stay as far from this office as possible until this is over.
“GIVE ME MY WIFE, CUNT. YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHO I’M TALKING ABOUT!”
He reaches into the back of his pants, under his coat, and I tense. Some of my tension seeps away as I see the large hunting knife he pulls out. I can handle a knife. As long as he’s over there, he can’t hurt me.
And if he comes closer? Well then, I won’t be the one hurting.
I have absolutely no doubt about my ability to handle him. But my tension comes right back as I hear voices approaching the door to the garage. He steps back, looking between me and the door in expectation.
Crap.
Things just got so much more complicated.
25
KADE
Imake it two steps into the office, then freeze at the scene in front of me. Holly bump into my back and I hear her strangled gasp as she moves away. I risk a glance back and see her bloodless face, eyes wide and terrified.
Micah’s hands come up and ease her behind him. We lock eyes briefly before I shift them to Colton a few steps into the bay, out of view of the office. I shift so he can see my chest and sign ‘knife.’ He nods sharply, then silently moves back.
I turn back, focusing on the piece of shit ranting in front of me. Watching him wave that knife near Becca kills me. There’s no way I’ll survive losing her.
No way.
All the other women fade away, and I finally fucking see it. She’s it for me. And if this goes sideways? If that knife ends up in her precious body? She’ll never know how much I love her. Why the fuck didn’t I get my head out of my ass sooner and tell her?
“You fucking whore, Hannah! You’re such a stupid bitch.” He’s pacing back and forth, waving the knife in front of him, trying to get a glimpse of Holly. “Did you really think I wouldn’t find your fat ass? I’ll always find you. You are MINE!”
