I do, and it fucking destroys me.
There is so much pain and fear in his eyes, but I also see so much rage he is swallowing for my sake.
“We’re not giving you to him,” he says, “I don’t care what he thinks he owns.”
Kai steps up behind me, pressing his body against my back.
“Julia,” he murmurs near my ear, “you’re safe here.”
I look between them. I look at the blood, the cracked tile, and all the bruises forming beneath Mikey’s ribs.
Safe…I don't feel safe… But I do feel something else… Fear, terrified, protective, loved, wanted… I feel many things, but safe is not one of them.
I cup Mikey’s face with both of my hands again and force him to look at me. “Don’t you ever…,” I whisper, “Take a beating for me again.”
His eyes flutter shut. “Too late,” he breathes.
Kai’s hand gently slides down my spine, grounding me right where I stand.
“We’re in this together now,” he says. “All three of us.”
And I believe him.
Chapter 22
Julia
The moment the words stop, I feel something else rising in me.
They think we’re done talking… but we’re not. Not even fucking close. I step forward, blocking the door to the bathroom and crossing my arms over my chest.
“Okay,” I say tightly. “I have one more question.”
Two sets of eyes look up at me. Kai immediately looks worried, and Mikey… Mikey looks defeated.
I don’t give them time to brace for impact.
“Why. The. Fuck.” I say each word sharply, “Were you dealing with my father in the first place?”
Mikey blinks several times like I just slapped him, and Kai freezes.
Good. I want them frozen and scared. I want them to feel even a fraction of what’s twisting inside my chest.
“I… uh…” Mikey stumbles over his words.
“We used to work for him,” Kai blurts out. Both mine and Mikey’s eyes shoot to Kai. Mine are full of shock, and Mikey’s look like betrayal and fury.
“Wanna explain?” I ask.
“No, not really,” Kai answers honestly.
“Well, regardless, it involves me. My father and my men. You will tell me.”
“Ohh, am I your man now?” Kai wiggles his eyebrow at me, and I slap his chest.
“Not the time! Tell me what the fuck is going on.” I am as stern as I can be with these two men.
Mikey runs his hands through his long hair, pulling it back into a messy bun on the back of his head.
