“A few keystrokes and the evidence would be kaput,” he says.
“Maybe I can use that to keep her on our side,” I muse.
“I wouldn’t do that,” Kai says. “It might set the relationship off on the wrong foot if she’s sincere.”
I shrug. “Or maybe, I tell her when she’s proven herself we give her the evidence as reward for her loyalty. She can use it to screw over Trent and his despicable asshole father.” I loop my fingers in the band of his jeans. “I need to go.” I look up at him, hating the thought of leaving him again.
He kisses me slowly, uncaring we have an audience. “I hate this part,” he whispers over my lips.
“Me too,” I whisper back, yanking him in closer to me, my body heating again. One round with Kai is never enough, and I wish I could go to bed by his side and wake up with his heavenly arms around me.
“One final thing, Abby,” Xavier says. “I created that dossier file we discussed before, and I have everything set up. If anything happens to any of you, it will be sent to the leading local and national TV and radio stations.”
“Thanks, Xavier. You’re the best.”
“I helped,” Sawyer says, pouting a little.
“Aw, you’re the best too, Sawyer.” I mess up his hair, knowing it will freak him out. Sure enough, he scowls, swatting my hand away and attempting to tame the errant strands of his dark hair.
Xavier is right. Sawyer is wound up too tight, and he needs to loosen up. Not for the first time, I wonder what his story is.
The guys leave first, and it’s as if Kai has taken half my heart and soul with him. I drop onto the lumpy couch, psyching myself up for returning to Charlie.
“I know it sucks, babe,” Xavier says, flopping down beside me and circling his arm around my shoulder. “But it won’t be forever.”
“It doesn’t make the goodbyes any easier. It kills me. Every time.”
“I’m happy for you, Abby. I don’t think I’ve said that. Me and the caveman haven’t gotten along in the past, but I’m fully Team Kaiden now.” He twirls a lock of my hair. “He loves you, girl. Like really loves you. Don’t let your bastard father come between you, because then, he’s really won.”
The next week flies by way too fast. New Year’s Eve comes and goes, and it’s the dawn of a new era. Or that’s what I tell myself. Because this is the year I will free myself from the chains my father has kept me in. This is the year he will finally get what’s coming to him.
It’s a flurry of activity. Setting Chad and the crew up in Xavier’s warehouse. Digging into our investigative work. Keeping Charlie happy without letting him get too close. Trying to coax Elizabeth into coming out of her room. Trying really hard not to get too excited over the idea Mom is still alive, but the more I think about it, the more I’m convinced she was in my room. That it wasn’t a figment of my imagination.
And if she was, she must have had help.
That bolsters my spirits.
If we can just find out who, we might have our way in.
Father gives the wedding party his stamp of approval and a date is set for the end of the month. Charlie gives me free rein on the planning. Telling me to do whatever I want. No expense spared. He’s working crazy hours, and I don’t usually see him until nine or ten p.m. each night. Which makes it easier to sneak out a few times to meet Kai.
It’s Sunday night, and it’s the night before we return to school. I told Charlie I was catching a movie with Xavier, but I’m in the warehouse with Kai, both of us sprawled across the couch, naked, with only a flimsy white sheet covering us, wrapped around one another. Xavier left, giving us privacy, and I love him for it.
“Are you still in pain,” I ask, lifting my head up from Kai’s chest.
“Now, she asks,” he quips, winding his hands in my hair.
“I probably should’ve asked before I attacked you,” I admit, grinning as I remember how I jumped all over him the second he arrived without giving a moment’s thought to his injured ribs.
“I like how you attack,” he murmurs, nipping at my earlobe. “Feel free to jump me anytime.”
“Iwilltake that literally, you know.”
“I’m counting on it.” He smiles, hauling me up his chest and capturing my lips in a slow-moving kiss. When he kisses me like this, like he has all the time in the world, I feel like the most cherished woman in the world. No measure of time will ever be enough with this man. I will love him to infinity and beyond. “And it barely hurts anymore. Rick knows his stuff.”
“He’s going to make a great doctor,” I agree.
“I have something for you,” he says, leaning down and pulling a package from the inside of his jacket.
