Thick silence engulfs the room.
“Abby is right, Kai.” Rick sighs, scrubbing a hand along his smooth jawline. “We need to take both those bastards down. And the only way we can do it is by playing them at their own game.”
CHAPTER NINE
Kaiden
I need to fight. To release the tsunami building to epic proportions inside me. Except, I’m in no fucking condition to fight. I’m only in control because I don’t want Abby to see the murderous intent racing through my mind.
I want to throttle my father until he’s blue in the face.
And I want to punch Charlie Barron until he’s a bleeding, broken, lifeless piece of shit at my feet.
I scan every inch of her beautiful face, vowing to do everything in my power to protect her. Not for the first time, I don’t feel worthy of her.
How she is still standing, still fighting, is beyond me.
After everything that’s happened, most women would, understandably, be a shell of themselves.
But the more her father pushes, the more determined my wife gets.
With every calculated move, he tries to break her spirit only to reinforce it. Abby is one of the strongest people I’ve ever met, but I see what she’s doing too.
She’s throwing herself into this battle full force so she doesn’t think about the ultimate betrayal.
Murderous intent returns with a vengeance when I think back to Christmas Day. When he told her he’d stolen her womb. Stolen the experience of her carrying my child from both of us. I’ve spent the last few days in and out of consciousness, but any lucid moments were consumed with thoughts of Abby and all that we’ve lost.
Michael Hearst is going to suffer for the pain he’s inflicted on his daughter.
I will fucking die to ensure it if I have to.
But he is not getting away with it.
Which is why I know I need to agree to this.
My ribs are on fire, and my body fucking aches, but it’s nothing compared to the pain in my heart at the thought of what she’ll have to do to save us.
I could live a million lifetimes and never be worthy enough of her.
I’m a lucky son of a bitch that she loves me. Still don’t understand why. But I won’t ever take it for granted. The only way I can get through this shit show is to remember all we have to look forward to.
“Okay.” The word is like poison as it slips out of my mouth.
Abby’s shoulders slump in relief, and I know I’ve done the right thing. Even if it will kill me every second of every day. I won’t add to her burden. Especially when she’s doing it to keep me safe. But we will be having words in private, because there are some lines she cannot cross.
“And that’s the only reason we’re not going to strangle Atticus with our bare hands,” I add, giving Drew and Abby a glimpse into Rick’s and my conversation.
“You’ve made the right call,” Drew says, thanking me with his eyes.
“Abby and Kai are the only reason I’m not on a plane to New York already,” Rick admits. “I want to hang that bastard by his balls from the rafters.”
“He’s going to get what’s coming to him,” I say, as my hands clench at my sides.
Abby unfurls one fist, leaning down to press a kiss to the back of my hand, and I want to grab her into my lap and hold onto her for eternity.
But I know we’re on borrowed time. She needs to leave soon. And I need private time with her. “I know we have a lot to discuss, but I need to speak with Abby alone,” I tell Drew and my brother.
They stand. “Of course.” Drew leans down and kisses the top of his sister’s head.
