Page 21 of Kane's Kingdom

"My father could turn anything into business," I say. "Loyalty. Fear. Men. Didn't matter. If it kept him in control, he used it."

Bella's face softens by a fraction.

"You hated him."

I look away. "Sometimes."

"And now?"

"Now he's dead."

"That's not an answer."

"It's the only one I've got."

She leans a hip against the opposite counter. "You mourn him."

"Sometimes."

The word scrapes and I look down at my plate. "There's relief in it too."

I've never said that aloud, not to Judge or anybody. Bella doesn't move. I keep going because stopping would make it worse.

"I wake up and remember he's gone. For a second, before the rest catches up, I'm glad." My jaw locks. "I remember I'm glad my father's dead and feel bad about that."

"He made you fight him your whole life."

"Still my father."

"And Red was still mine."

Our eyes meet, and there it is. The place nobody else can stand with us. Two dead men. Two kinds of love turned ugly by what those men chose. Anger without anywhere clean to put it.

"I knew what he was," she says quietly. "My dad. I knew the drinking wasn't King's fault. Not all of it. I was angry at him."

"You were allowed."

Her eyes shine, but she blinks it back.

"I hate that you're the man I think you are, because it makes resenting this club harder."

The words land hard enough to stop my breath. A confession wearing an insult's clothes.

For one second, neither of us moves. Then I cross the kitchen, and Bella doesn't step back. I stop close enough to feel her heat.

"Tell me to go back to the couch," I say. "And I will, I'll do that."

Her gaze drops to my mouth. "No."

That's all I need. I kiss her, but not like last time; there's no collision and no fury to hide behind.

My hand slides into her hair, and I take my time. Her mouth opens beneath mine, and I taste her slowly. My other hand settles against the small of her back and draws her into me. She makes a low sound against my mouth, and I feel it everywhere. Her hips press forward, and the contact drives a groan from my chest that I don't bother hiding.

Her hands settle on my chest. Her fingers still for half a heartbeat, then curl into my shirt and pull me closer.

I kiss her until the tension leaves her shoulders and she stops bracing for whatever comes next. Then I lift my head.

"Still sure?"