I shake my head. “I don’t love him like that.” His eyes narrow, and I glare at him. “Don’t do that. He’s one of my best friends, and I love him the same way I love Jane and Xavier. In a purely platonic way.”
I want to add that the only one I love is him, but I’m fucked if I’m going to make myself that vulnerable.
He can say it first, and then I’ll return the sentiment.
His face contorts, and a myriad of conflicting emotions glints in his eyes. His features soften as he loosens his hold on my face, caressing my cheek with his fingers. “There’s something I need to tell you about Charlie. This’ll make me sound like a jealous asshole, but it’s more than that. I’ve wanted to tell you all week, but it means exposing you to something risky.”
He bites down on his lip, pausing.
“Don’t second-guess yourself. We agreed no more secrets. Just tell me.” I lean down and kiss him.
“Charlie is the reason you—”
The door to the hotel room crashes inward with a resounding thud, cutting off Kai’s statement. I jump off his lap, lunging for the gun on top of the bedside table, when a familiar figure storms into the room, flanked by two armed goons.
“I’ve found them,” Charlie says into his cell, frowning as he skims his eyes over my semi-dressed body, his gaze lingering on my braless chest. “I’ll have your daughter back in Rydeville before midnight.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“What have you done?” I’m horrified as I stare at Charlie, wondering if I’ve ever known him at all. I inch toward the bedside table as Kai slowly climbs off the bed, keeping his gaze locked on Charlie the entire time.
Charlie gestures with his eyes toward Maurio and Benjamin. I understand it’s a warning to be careful what I say in front of my father’s bodyguards. “Your father has your best interests at heart,” Charlie says. “As do I. Which is why youwillreturn to Rydeville with me.”
“Over my dead body,” Kai growls, stalking toward Charlie with murderous intent.
I grab my gun at the same moment Maurio and Benjamin withdraw their weapons, pointing them at Kai. I race in front of my boyfriend, shielding him with my body as I hold the gun out in front of me. “Back down or I’ll shoot.” I level the gun at Benjamin’s chest, gritting my teeth and steadying my hand. I don’t want to shoot him. But I’ll do it to protect Kai if it comes down to it.
“Wait outside,” Charlie commands them in an authoritative voice.
“Our instructions are to remain by your side at all times,” Maurio calmly replies.
“I don’t care what your instructions are,” Charlie says, eyeballing him. “I’m in charge. Leave. Now.” His cold tone matches the threatening look on his face.
Maurio considers it for a moment, glancing briefly at me, and I spot the flash of indecision before he concedes. Lowering his gun, he slips it back into his gun strap. “You have five minutes.” The two of them leave, and a layer of stress lifts from my shoulders.
Charlie locks the door behind them and comes to stand in front of me. “You can put the gun down now, Abby.”
I take a step closer, pressing the muzzle into his chest, right in the spot where his heart is. “Can I?”
Kai circles his arm around my waist from behind, holding me tight as I keep the weapon pressed to Charlie’s chest. “I won’t hurt you, and I’m not on your father’s side,” he adds in a hushed tone. “I’ve only ever been on yours.”
Kai snorts. “Bullshit.”
Charlie’s eyes darken as he glares at Kai over my shoulder. “I’m already resenting saving your ass, so don’t push it.”
“What does that mean?” I ask.
“It means there’s no longer a hit out on him.” He glances over my shoulder, pursing his lips. “You’re welcome.” Sarcasm drips from his tone.
I lower my arm while maintaining a hold of the gun. “And the price is I return to Rydeville and marry you?” I surmise. He nods. “My father isn’t trustworthy. How do we know he’s called off the hit?”
“He won’t jeopardize our marriage, because it’s too important.”
“Why?”
“It’s elite business. I’m not at liberty to disclose it.”
“Can’t or don’t want to?” Kai asks, moving us back a few steps and creating some space between us and him.
