What happened after Charlie’s funeral sure didn’thelp matters.
When we were gathered at Charlie’s house after his funeral, Declan overheard one of the Charlie’s most loyal men plotting to kill Carter and leave Kai widowed. Declan confronted the guy and when that didn’t work, killed him to make sure he didn’t have a chance to fulfill his plans.
Carter and Kai only saw the killing part, not giving Declan a chance to explain because of his reputation. We didn’t find out until a few days later that he was justified in his actions. They just called him reckless and kicked him out.
That’s what I mean about Declan figuring shit out himself, then letting everyone else know. Then again, the situation would have ended up the same, so in my opinion, he did what needed to be done.
But it caused a divide between Kai and Declan because Carter took his husband’s side in the argument.
That was months ago, though. They should probably talk that shit out and leave it in the past.
Shaking my head, I go back to my text thread.
Me: He’s not that bad. No worse than you. Hell, y’all would get along if you sat down to talk.
Declan: Pass. I’m not sending you a dick pic.
Me: You’re no fun.
Kai looks over at me,eyebrow raised. “You wanna keep this going or you wanna make heart eyes at your fucking phone?”
I stick my middle finger up at him as I put my phone down and guzzle some water.
We’re in our home gym, getting a workout in. Kai rarelyhas the opportunity to work out with me, but when he does, we usually spar instead of doing our own thing. After the run in he had when some dickheads that gave him a concussion, he likes to stay on top of his hand-to-hand, even though he’s lethal with the knife he always keeps on him.
I stride back over to Kai and put my hands up in a fighting position. “Let’s go. I’ll have your ass on the mat in no time.”
Kai grins and rushes at me. We trade blows—careful not to strike too hard—but in the end, I do what I said and get Kai on the ground, my hand around his throat.
“You’re moving slower today,” I say as I ease off him. “Tired?”
“Nah. Got a lot on my mind, is all. Carter is worried about Declan, and his worry makesmeworry.”
My stomach clenches at hearing Declan’s name, but I keep my face blank. “Carter ain’t his dad. He’s too overprotective.”
“He just doesn’t want anything to happen to him. He wants him to grow old.”
I give Kai a long look. “You know that’s not guaranteed, no matter what job you work. In this life, it’s almost unheard of. He can’t protect him from everything.”
“I know. It’s nice that someone has his back. We never had that.”
“We had it with each other.”
Kai grins and throws an arm around my shoulder. “Yeah, always had each other’s back. Now I have Carter. When will you get someone?”
I smirk. It would be so easy to tell him that maybe the other Whitlock brother will have my back, but I won’t give up our secret. What me and Declan have—casual as it is—is between us. If or when he decides to say something will be his choice.
“Maybe one day,” I say, shrugging his sweaty arm off me. “You good or you wanna go another round?”
“I’m good. I think I’ll hit the treadmill before I have to go to work. The casino drafts are almost done. You sure you don’t want that job? After that shit with Paolo, I don’t know who Carter and I will tap to run it.”
“Why not get someone like Percy? He’s affiliated, but he’s not a soldier. He might be your best bet.”
Kai rests his hands on his hips and looks off into space as if he’s thinking. After a few beats, he nods. “Yeah, someone like Percy, but not Percy himself. He’s too valuable to my company. Kid is a wiz with how he organizes my shit and keeps the books clean, even with all the dirty money flowing.” He meets my gaze. “Did you really feel like I was trying to get rid of you?”
I shrug, a lance of pain flashing over me. After what happened when those bastards jumped Kai outside the club, and then the night Charlie died, I felt like he would stop trusting me, like his life wasn’t safe in my hands. Bringing up the casino only drove that knife in deeper.
He walks over and claps me on the shoulder. “I’m not. There’s no one I trust more than you.”
