With our bodies still joined, she pressed her forehead to mine. “You’re mine now, Kreed.”
“Always,” I said. And I meant it. I was hers as much as she was mine. Our hearts, souls, and bodies were intertwined.
She wiggled backon the T-shirt I had only recently removed and sauntered out of my room, my eyes drawn to the sway of her hips and her bare legs. She threw me a brazen grin before trotting to the room across the hall. I sat motionless for a heartbeat, one hand pressed firmly to my injured side, the dull throb a constant reminder that the world didn’t stop turning just because we’d made love for an hour. All my fucking problems were still waiting for me.
I carefully probed the skin beneath the bandage, checking for swelling. The last thing I needed was a damn infection. She’d been so delicate, too delicate, while we’d been tangled up in each other, but the wound was still pissed at being aggravated even slightly.
When I remembered the quick soft pants and the breathy moans…the pain was so worth it.
I swung both legs carefully over the side of the bed, movingslowly to minimize the pull on my stitches. The pain flared hot and immediate when I shifted my torso, one of the bruised ribs voicing its loud complaint. I ignored the sensation like I’d learned to ignore most physical discomfort, a necessary skill for this life. I needed to check in with Jesse.
I stood with a groan, heading into the bathroom to crank the shower and take a piss while waiting for the water to heat up. Once the toilet finished flushing, I pulled out my phone and dialed Jesse’s number.
He answered on the fifth ring as if he debated whether to take my call. “If you threaten me again, I’m hanging up.”
My lips twitched. “Tempting, but I am surprised you answered.”
“I didn’t want to see your face.” His voice was dry as dust. “If I hadn’t answered, there’s a good chance you’d show up at the shop. I’d rather not risk it.”
I huffed a quiet laugh. “Smart, but now I kind of want to pop in.”
He made a low sound of annoyance. “I assume you want something?”
Straight to business. Good. “Heard from Daddy Dearest?”
A rustling noise came through the speaker, as if he was shifting tools or closing a drawer. “He came tearing home last night in a full-blown rage. Like breaking-shit levels. Grabbed some stuff and left just as fast. Told me he’d be gone for a few days and to watch the shop.”
The muscles in my jaw ticked. “And you didn’t bother to call? That’s not what we agreed on, Jesse.”
“There wasn’t enough time, okay?” His frustration snapped through the line. “You never would’ve caught him. He was in and out within a few minutes.”
I pressed my palm to the cold edge of the sink, staring at the condensation gathering on the mirror. “Where did he go?”
“I don’t know.But…if he had half a brain, he’d be in another state by now.”
Rusty wasn’t the type to cut and run. He was the type to circleback, patch holes, and eliminate threats. And Kaylor…she was the biggest threat he had. “He’s not done,” I said flatly. “He wouldn’t leave loose ends.”
Jesse huffed, raggedly. “Yeah. That would be my guess as well.”
“You might want to think about following in his footsteps.”
“I’m not a runner.”
“Neither am I,” I said. “But we both know this ends bloody.”
He didn’t argue. That alone told me exactly how scared he was…or how resigned.
I straightened slowly, ignoring the flare of pain. “If he calls, find out where he went. I want an address by the end of the day.” I couldn’t allow Kaylor to be indebted to him. Absolutely. Fucking. Not.
“Kreed—”
“I’m not asking.” My voice dropped, steel sliding beneath the words.
A quiet swallow carried through the line. Before Jesse could respond, I hung up, my message clear. There were no other alternatives for him.
The water finally turned scalding behind me, steam rolling out like smoke.
Perfect.
