Page 32 of Mended Souls
“We need to plan Layla’s funeral.”
She should’ve had her funeral already, but we couldn’t do anything with her body since her sister was her next of kin. That bitch hated me. And Sin and Ranger were an inconvenience to her. She said if we did anything, she would sue us. I was tempted to let her try, but I didn’t want to make a show when it was Layla’s memory at stake.
“Sin and Ranger are communicating with her family. They are planning one final goodbye for their favorite girl.” My voice broke slightly, and Kadence squeezed my hand.
“You two go do whatever it was you were planning before coming here. When she wakes up, I’ll let you know.” He looked at Kadence. “Kid, I want you to know I’m sorry for what I did.”
“I’ll work on forgiving you, too. I know you won’t hurt me again, but you really scared me.”
“I know, kid. I’m sorry. You can put my balls in a blender, take a pound of flesh. Whatever you need.”
Kadence cringed, an awkward laugh escaping her lips. “I can think of something less bloody. I hope she wakes up soon.”
“Thanks, kid. You two get outta here.”
I pulled Kadence back to the elevators, and when the doors closed, I pushed her against the wall and slammed my lips to hers in a dominating kiss. She sank into me, wrapping her arms around my neck and pulling me in closer to her, deepening the kiss. Kissing her shouldn’t feel this powerful, this welcoming, but I knew the first time I stole that kiss in my office, I would be addicted to her taste.
She looked up at me in a daze when I pulled away. “What was that for?”
“What? I can’t kiss you?”
“Oh, you most definitely can. Anytime.”
I caged her in, and her cheeks heated. “Good, because I love kissing you, Kadence.” I kissed her again, this time softer, before the elevator dinged and someone ruined the moment for us.
If I wasn’t in a hospital, I’d be tempted to shoot them, but it wasn't justifiable to shoot elderly women for interrupting a kiss. Kadence leaned into me, and I kissed the top of her head.
“Are we going to a gym or back to your place? I still don’t understand how you have a whole house above the club.”
“It made the most sense. We were focused on the club, and Olivia and I wanted to make sure Charlee had a stable environment. We’re going to the gym at the clubhouse, if you’re okay with that. We have a big upstairs gym.”
She tensed. “I—” She touched her wrist. “I think I’ll be okay, but I won’t be able to go into the basement.”
I nodded, pulling her into me. “I promise. If anything, I’ll be the one in the basement this time. My men won’t let anything happen to you, even if they have to deal with me themselves.”
I kicked my leg over my bike as Kadence pulled on her helmet. She got comfortable behind me as I revved the engine. Her hands wrapped around my waist, as I whipped us out of the hospital parking lot. Kadence felt less tense this time as she threw her hands in the air and let the wind dance with her.
I was glad that night in my basement didn’t break her, but it never should have happened—emotions high or not. But I couldn’t change what I did. I could only help her and continue to earn her forgiveness. If I had to get blood on my hands to protect her, then so be it.
The men at the club greeted Kadence with warm smiles and consenting hugs as we walked inside. I could see the confusion written all over her face as to why my men were being kind to her. She made herself a part of them when she was here for threeweeks. They cared for her, and they were all pissed at me for hurting her.
“My men might be loyal to me, but they care about you.”
“I was only here for three weeks.”
“It doesn’t matter. They consider you an honorary Reaper.” I took her hand and pulled her to the gym we have upstairs. I knew when I took over, my men needed to train with their hands as much as with their weapons. With Elijah ruling Westhaven, he used his gun and his dick to insight fear into everyone.
Guns didn’t scare me. Men using their dicks as an intimidation tactic didn’t scare me. When he realized that, he went for something that truly mattered to me. This time, I was going to make sure Kadence was safe so no one else could take away a person I cared about.
CHAPTER 26
KADENCE
ANNIKA
Are you alive?
ME
