I head toward the foyer as soon as I hear Coco’s voice, but I’m stopped in my tracks as soon as my eyes lock with Kennedy’s. The love I felt for her is gone. It’s been replaced by something stronger and darker, but there’s no softness anymore. Betrayal has a way of changing things. The fact that she had me under her thumb legally didn’t shift my feelings; it’s that she used Coco to get to me.
“Hey,” Coco says and walks toward me, stepping into my line of sight, cutting off my view of Kennedy.
“It’s nice to have you home,” I tell her and wrap her in my arms, but I keep my glare pinned on Kennedy.
She’s watching us, her gaze focused and intense. “We need to talk,” Kennedy says before I have a chance to let go of Coco.
“There’s nothing to talk about.” My tone is icy but even.
Coco pulls away and stares up at me with the saddest eyes. “I’m sorry I fucked everything up.” Her arm is still hooked around my back as tears begin to cascade down her cheeks. “I’m entirely to blame for this, Nix.”
“Shh, Coco.” I wipe away her fallen tears with the backs of my fingers and speak softly. “You’re the last person I blame for what happened.”
First, I blame myself for being the dumbest fuck in the world. I’ve known Coco long enough to know when it’s right to tell her no, but I caved to her whim. I figured she’d get bored after a couple weeks and the topic would be dropped forever. Second, I blame Kennedy. Even though she was only doing her job. There’s no explanation needed when it comes to all the ways she’s done me wrong. If she loved me, truly loved me like she said…she could’ve come clean. I would’ve forgiven her for the deceit. I would’ve found a way to be with her.
But the lies…they undid us.
“Are you hungry?” I ask Coco because I’m sure they didn’t care for her while she was detained.
She shakes her head and steps back into my embrace, resting her head on my chest. “I just need some sleep.” My arm tightens around her. I’ve spent so many years trying to protect Coco from my world, and now it’s come crashing down on her. “Are you going to be okay if I leave you with her?”
I kiss the top of her head and glance at Kennedy. She’s standing with feet planted wide, arms crossed in front of her chest, and one shoulder dropped with her head cocked. Clearly, she’s pissed off, but it’s not my issue anymore.
“I’ll be fine, love. She’s not staying.”
Kennedy glares at me, but she keeps her mouth shut.
“Okay,” Coco says, yawning as she untangles herself from me. “Can I stay in my room tonight?”
“Always. You know you’re always welcome here. This is our home.”
“Thanks.” She smiles softly. “Goodnight, Nix.”
I lean forward and kiss her cheek. “Night, babe.”
“Night, cunt,” Coco calls out over her shoulder with a smirk on her face as she walks away.
Kennedy’s jaw ticks, but she doesn’t say anything. Her eyes are still trained on me. Our glares are locked, and neither of us moves. My hands are at my sides, clenched into tight fists, and I’m hanging by a thread to keep my anger in check.
“You can go now,” I tell her after Coco’s bedroom door closes.
“Nix.” She steps forward and reaches out to me.
I put my hand out, stopping her. I don’t trust myself not to go off on her just yet. “Go.”
“I didn’t know,” she whispers, closing her eyes and shaking her head with a pained expression. “Please…”
I cross my arms over my chest and narrow my eyes. “You can walk out the door now or I’ll carry your ass out, but you’re not staying and I’m not talking.”
“I’ll wait until you calm down,” she says as she turns her back on me, facing the door.
I’m on her in an instant, slamming her body against the door. My front plastered to her back, pushing her chest against the door as I place my mouth next to her ear. “This is me being calm, Kennedy.” I reach in front of her and grab her mound. “Is this what you want? Did you come back for another taste?”
“No,” she says quickly, turning her head sideways to look into my eyes.
I slide my hand up her stomach and palm her breast. “’Cause I’ll fuck you. It’ll be an anger bang and nothing more.” I place my lips on the delicate skin right behind her ear and trail my tongue down her neck as she shivers. “Is that what you want? You want this cock inside you.”
“Let me go.” She pushes backward, grinding her ass into my erection.
