“I can’t believe you’re hiding out in Connecticut. Isn’t it a little risky to stay this close to home?”
“That’s the beauty of it,” Rick says. “They won’t expect us to hide right under their noses.”
I nod, because it makes sense. It’s sneaky, and I love it.
When we round the next bend, a few buildings come into view in the near distance. I lean forward in my seat, poking my head through the gap in the front seats, as I lock eyes on the beautiful wooden cabin. “Wow. It’s beautiful.”
The house is gigantic. Out front, the façade is a mix of wood and decorative cream stone with a triangular-peaked roof. A similar structure looms over it at the rear with two large windows built into the alcoves, but the roof on either side is rectangular. An elevated, railed deck spans the width on both sides. The right-hand part of the house has small windows, but the left-hand side has floor-to-ceiling windows that I imagine let in plenty of light.
“Wait until you see the inside.” Rick veers right just before we come to the cabin, heading toward the cluster of smaller buildings. “My friend’s mom is an interior designer, and she designed everything. It’s spectacular.”
“I wish it was summer,” Joaquin says, “so we got to use the lake.”
As Rick pulls the car into one of the side buildings—which is actually a six-car garage—I can just about make out the large lake in the background, the water glistening eerily under the cover of nightfall. I can visualize how incredible it’d be hanging out here in the summer, and whoever owns this has found a little piece of heaven on Earth.
Rick parks the car, and we climb out. Butterflies scatter in my chest, and bile floods my mouth at the thought of my imminent reunion with Kai. The guys grab their bags from the trunk and start walking toward the open doors.
“Hang on! I left my bag in the back seat.” I yank the door open, bending over the seat so they can’t see as I remove the cell and switch it on. Then I stuff it back in the pocket of my jeans, pull my sweater down over it, and grab the plastic bag containing my measly possessions.
I wipe my sweaty palms down the front of my jeans as we walk, barely feeling the bitterly cold wind swirling around me.
“Here.” Rick removes his jacket, draping it around my shoulders as we walk the short distance from the garage to the cabin. “I’ll take you shopping tomorrow, and you can get everything you need.”
I arch a brow. “How long are we staying here?”
“Indefinitely.”
That surprises me. “What about school?”
“You’re worried about school?” He shoves his hands deep into his pockets, as he pins me with an inquisitive look.
I shrug. “You can’t keep me prisoner here indefinitely,” I say, watching with my mouth in my throat as the door to the cabin opens.
“You’re not a prisoner, Abby. Kai wants to keep you both safe.”
“And if I want to leave, he’ll let me?” My heart is pounding behind my rib cage as a familiar tall, dark-haired form steps out onto the front porch.
“You’ll need to discuss that with him,” Rick says, a smirk spreading across his mouth as he spots his brother.
My feet slam to a halt of their own accord at the bottom of the steps, and I lift my eyes, instantly meeting his. Pain slams into me, almost knocking all the air out of my lungs.
It’s been five weeks since I last saw him, and the time apart hasn’t eliminated the connection between us. I feel it in the prickles on the back of my neck. In the rampant throbbing of my pulse. In the instant ache between my thighs. My entire body tingles as every molecule recognizes his presence, and the craving is almost like a high, urging me to run into his arms and never let go.
His gorgeous dark eyes drill into me, invading all my senses as he peruses my body from head to toe. Danger seeps from his pores, mingling with relief, frustration, anger, and something darker and more intense. His eyes are on fire. Part lust. Part residual hate. And it shouldn’t turn me on.
But it does.
I wet my dry lips, ungluing my tongue from the roof of my mouth as I steel my spine in readiness.
My body is screaming at my head as a violent inner battle starts up.
The attraction between us has always been off the charts, making it difficult to stay away from him even when he was tormenting me. But anger is a storm that’s mushroomed into a tornado over the weeks of our separation, and the need for vengeance is stronger.
He will pay for all the lies, the secrets, and the ultimate betrayal.
Rick, Harley, and Joaquin greet their brother, and he hugs them one by one, but his eyes remain locked on mine the entire time, as we battle it out with silent deadly looks. Rick whispers something in his ear, and he nods curtly, never taking his eyes off me.
I force my legs to move, and blood thrums in my veins with each step I take that brings me closer to him.
