“No. He isn’t here… he’s my stepbrother, Michael. That’s it.” If we were anything other than that, I’d still classify him as that. The last thing I want to do is cause trouble for Keoni.
He scoffs. “You hold hands with your stepbrother?”
I goddamnknewit. “Youwerehaving mefollowed!”
“You fucking him, too?!” He raises his voice above mine. “Huh?!”
Shaking my head, I glare at him as though he’s lost his damn mind. “I can’t believe you… Why’re you here?Howare you here?”
He throws his hands up and paces further into the cabin. “Get away from the door, Ayden. Stop being such a scared bitch.”
For the briefest moment, I consider snapping back—raising my voice and calling him the psychotic, narcissistic asshole he is, someone who desperately needs psychiatric help. But escalating won’t end this conversation any faster.
It may look like I don’t have a backbone when it comes to Mike, and suppose I don’t, but I’ve been here before. I’ve fought back, and it only ever ended with me broken, mentally and physically.
I step a little farther into the cabin, just as Clover comes padding down the stairs toward me. Michael notices her but doesn’t comment, instead scoffs at me.
“How’d you enjoy the silent treatment?” His attitude remains the same; a storm of anger and bitterness battling for dominance.
“I hadn’t really noticed. It was for the best.”
“For you!” He turns quickly, causing my shoulders to jump. “See? You’re so selfish. All you think about is yourself!”
Blaming me. Surprise, surprise.
“You’re right,” I say while nodding. “I am, and from now on, I’ll only think about myself.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. It’s what’s best forme.”
I’m not surprised when he kicks the coffee table, sending itcrashing into the fireplace. Clover hisses and scurries back upstairs. Good, I don’t want her down here, especially around him.
“You have no idea what’s best for you, Ayden.” He takes an aggressive step toward me. “Need I remind you of what I did for you no longer than a year ago? I saved your fucking ass and you’re going to just drop me for your stepbrother's cock?!”
I fight the urge to box myself in and force my arms to my sides. “I’m not fucking him, but even if I were, it wouldn’t be any of your business. Wearen’ttogether.”
“Like hell we aren’t.”
“Michael…” This argument won’t get us anywhere, so I pivot. “How did you know where I was?”
I just want confirmation that he used his connections to find out where I’ve been living. At least then I could reach out to Travis and see if he’d help me sue whatever department was involved. I’m already planning to report those officers. The fact that Michael knew Keoni had grabbed my hand in the parking lot confirms those two were spying on me.
His jaw flexes, the muscle ticking, and I swallow hard.
Seconds drag into what feels like eternity as silence stretches between us.
Then—like a switch flipping—everything changes. His dark eyes soften, and his lips curl into a meek smile. It’s terrifying how easily he does this, and it’s exactly why none of my so-called friends in San Francisco ever saw the real him.
“Ayden, babe, you know all I want to do is protect you. You think I can just let you go anywhere without knowing where you are?” His hands raise, gesturing for me to come to him. “I’m sorry, look, I’m just jealous. You know how I can get.”
“You aren’t answering my question.” I shake my head and glance over my shoulder, peering through the window beside the front door, hoping to see Keoni’s truck. Nothing. Even if he’d taken a sports bike, he’d still not be here by now.
When I turn back, he’s edged closer. Instinctively, I shuffle back, circling away from him as best I can. The wall behind me is lined with windows, all of them open to the lake outside.
“Were you on a date on Saturday night?”
Ihatehim.
