Leaving behind one hell of a landslide.
You see, where silence was comfortable between Julius and me, it was unsettling for Kraven and me. I never felt the need to talk to Julius, but with Kraven, there wasn’t a need…
There was only a desire.
I learned right then that where Julius helped me with my problems, Kraven helped me forget them. Only until he triggered them.
In the snap of a finger, it all came crashing down on our heads when someone yelled, “Look what we have here! If it isn’t dumpster trash, Kraven Knightly!”
I was hit with an awareness that nothing but trouble awaited us.
I jolted, trying to pull away, but Kraven held me firmer, not allowing me to move an inch. I searched for who had shouted and what was going on, when Kraven unexpectedly and protectivelysecured me behind him with one hand on my hip as I looked out in front of us. I had a face-to-face with the guy who was suddenly standing there.
“Walk away, Justin,” Kraven gritted through a clenched jaw, squeezing my hip. “Not now.”
I glanced up toward the side of Kraven’s face and saw his murderous stare aimed right at Justin. From the way they were both glaring at each other, I knew there had to be something brewing between them, and it hadn’t started tonight.
This went back months, maybe years. There was definitely history there, that much was crystal clear.
Justin angled his head to the side, ready for anything. “Walk away?” he mocked in a condescending tone. “Now, where would the fun be in that?”
Kraven’s grip tightened further at my side.
Justin didn’t stand down. “Does she know about your dumpster trash family?” he snidely replied. “Probably not. I mean, it’s not anything I’d go bragging about. Especially if I’m trying to get my dick wet from some fine-ass pussy.”
My stomach was in knots, tossing and turning as my gaze shifted to the side of Kraven’s face again. His concentrated scowl hadn’t moved from Justin’s devious stance. Everything about him screamed trouble with a capital T. Guys like him always ended up having something to prove and someone to bully, but Kraven didn’t strike me as the one to take on.
In a sarcastic chuckle, Justin spewed, “How old were you when your mommy abandoned you? Even she couldn’t stand your face! She left your ass and never looked back!”
Each slur from his mouth felt as if it were a threat, and I could feel Kraven’s pulse quicken. My heart was breaking for him. It was one thing to hear it from Julius or Kraven, but it was a whole other one to hear it from this bastard who had it out for him.
Kraven hadn’t moved, hadn’t made a sound. He just kept staring at Justin with those lethal eyes, and if it wasn’t for the fact that he kept tightening his hold on my side, I’d think Justin’s malicious intent wasn’t getting to him at all.
“By the way,” Justin sneered with a look of hate, “how’s your junkie-ass father these days? Word around the street is that he’s abandoned you, too. You know it’s only a matter of time before CPS is back on your ass and you’re separated from your brother.”
He stepped forward, and Kraven stepped us back.
Justin took one last look at me, turning his full attention back to the furious guy standing in front of me.
In one breath, he sadistically raged, “Maybe I should report you, see how fast you’re an orphan and out of my fucking face!”
One minute was all it took for anarchy to be unleashed.
I just didn’t expect to have a front row seat.
CHAPTER
NINETEEN
KRAVEN
My jaw clenched,and my hand on Isla’s hip twitched.
“But look at that ass on your redhead,” Justin spat. “I guess I can’t blame you for keeping the truth about your dumpster trash family. We all know your mom used to deep throat anyone who’d cover her bar bill at the end of the night.”
I gripped harder.
“But I’d love nothing more than to go a couple of rounds with her red head too. The party is just getting started. How about you come bend over for me, darlin’?”
