Since then, I’ve done everything in my power to forget him and that fucked up time in my life, but his eyes follow me everywhere. I didn’t need to fall for my savior, but there I was, falling head first into his ocean eyes. I never thought I’d see him again. Why he has to show up in my life right now is beyond my wildest guess.
All I know is that those blue eyes are haunting me. They’ve taken residence in my mind and I’m powerless to fight their pull.
Do I even want to fight it, though?
Six
Kayden
Ispend the majority of my day catching up on much needed sleep. When I last checked into Dani’s cameras, she was curled up reading a book, so I knew I didn’t need to worry about her for a few more hours. I reassured myself that once night falls and she takes her evening medications, I’ll be able to go back to her apartment and take up my spot in the corner of her room as she sleeps, blissfully unaware of my presence.
Now that I’m awake, I pull up the app Franklin installed on my phone so I can watch through her cameras. Not seeing Dani in her bedroom, I switch to her living room camera where she was last reading her book. Still nothing. In a last ditch effort, I pull up the camera that faces her entryway door in the kitchen and find an empty room except for her cat eating its food. Normally, I am ironclad in my nerves, always calm and collected while my brain works to find the answers. Not when it comes to Dani, though.
A slight tremor of fear chokes me before I push it down and make myself think rationally. Going back through her camera’s recording history, I come across snippets of Melody and Dani getting ready to go out. Dani normally sticks to her routine of staying in on the weekends, so this explains why she’s notat home. And just my luck because—surprise, surprise—they’re going to Club LAX. I own that club, not that Dani is aware of that. Melody has never brought her there before, and I always viewed that as being for the best while I was trying to stay away from her. But now, all bets are off the table—she’s mine.
Watching the last recording before they leave, I see the dress that Dani is wearing, and it sets my teeth on edge—what I wouldn’t give to ravish that dress straight off her delectable body. A tight-fitting black minidress that shows off all her tattoos and fuck-me high heels. Damn, this woman gets me hard without even trying. And what’s even worse is every guy in that club is going to want her. Just the thought alone has me clenching my jaw so hard my teeth threaten to shatter.
Running my hand down my face, I resolve myself to get ready to go to my club. After a quick shower, a beard trim, and aftershave, I’m ready to head out.
I own the building I live in, and although my apartment is quaint, the underground garage makes up for it. Locking up the apartment, I take the elevator to the lower level and find myself wondering which vehicle to take. I have one nice car, a white Lamborghini, mainly to keep up appearances at the club, but my other two vehicles consist of a matte black motorcycle and a black GMC truck. I normally reserve my truck for ring busts given it has enough room to load all my equipment into it.
Torn between the motorcycle and the Lamborghini, I finally decide on the Lamborghini hoping I end up taking Dani home with me. Having her ride on the back of my motorcycle with just a tiny dress is not a reasonable option. Shaking myself from my thoughts, I chide myself for thinking that taking her home is even a possibility.I’m enjoying the chase far too much to end it so soon.
Pushingmy way through the sea of bodies, I stop at the bar to grab a bourbon on the rocks before making my way to the upper level of Club LAX, hoping to spot the girls from a higher vantage point. The top level is normally full with our VIP members, and tonight is no exception. Taking a seat at the bar-top railing, I look down into the crowd searching for Dani and Melody when my eyes catch on a group of people that have stopped dancing. As my eyes adjust to the strobe lights, I recognize Dani and Melody surrounded by a group of men. The situation is tense, to say the least. Before things get out of hand, I throw back my drink and make my way back down the stairs, pushing my way through a group of drunken girls screaming the lyrics to the newest hit song at the top of their lungs.
As I shove my way through the men, I take in the sight before me. Dani looks furious as she clutches her hand, Melody standing in front of her—ever the protector. My eyes catch on the man standing directly in front of Melody, his eyes darting over her shoulder trying to keep Dani in his sights.That just won’t do, now will it?
“What seems to be the problem here, gentlemen?” I question the group, even though my eyes are dead set on Derek who is sporting a nice red mark on his left cheek. I recognize him as Dani’s ex from the intel Franklin gave me, and I know that didn’t end too great.
Derek holds up his hands as he tears his eyes away from Dani to focus on me. He must see the deadly calm in my eyes. “Look,I don’t want any trouble. I was just trying to have a conversation with my girlfriend.”
“I am NOT your girlfriend, Derek! And if by conversation you mean grabbing me, then sure. I ended things with you last month, you need to drop it or I swear to god…”
“Baby, don’t be like that. We can figure this out.”
“Don’tbabyme, Derek. It’s over. Go run along before I punch you again, you ass.”
My gaze darts to Dani, my appreciation for her spitfire attitude notching up a level. Although, my anger spikes as I look down and see her clutching her hand. Dani’s eyes dart to me for a split second, and I see the way her eyes widen with recognition and—what is that—fear?
Derek continues his prattling, yelling over the music, “You don’t mean that. You just needed some space, but, baby, we got this. You and me, together.”
Seeing this guy turn desperate, I put myself between him and the girls and level him with a glare. “I believe she said you’re done. I would recommend leaving before the next one to punch you is me,” I shout, rolling up my sleeves as he starts to back up a few steps. Pushing through the crowd are a few members of my security team, all bigger than the next as they come to stand on either side of us.
Derek looks between Dani, security, and me, uncertainty written plainly on his face before it shutters with anger. “This isn’t over, Dani! Mark my words.”
Faster than a snake, my hand snatches him by his button up shirt and I yank him toward me. “I don’t think you understand me, fucker. Dani said the two of you are done, so leave her the fuck alone.”
Pushing him out of my grasp, I let my men take him away. The rest of the men scatter, not wanting to get mixed in withDerek’s problems. Probably for the best—I was hoping not to get my attire bloodied up tonight.
Turning around, my eyes land on Melody and instantly warm at the sight of her. Her and Jaxon were married two and a half years ago, and I’ve had a soft spot for her ever since we rescued her from that warehouse. She’s the strongest woman I know, and she has the scars to prove it. My sister-in-law narrows her eyes at me, however, and it’s my turn to hold up my hands in surrender.
“Whoa, tiger.”
“Kayden, why must you always interfere? I had that handled myself,” Melody says, placing her hands on her hips, glancing back at Dani before looking back at me in annoyance.
Grabbing her hand and motioning to Dani, I lead them off the dance floor and make my way over to the bar at the back of the club where the music isn’t so loud.
The bartender sees me approaching and finishes his current task before I have his entire attention.
