The image is burned into my mind.
Kaia surprised me when she tried to kiss me, but what surprised me even more was that Iwantedher to.
I haven’t kissed anyone since I was a teenager. It’s a hard limit for me and I’ve always done my best to avoid it. But for the first time the thought of kissing someone didn’t repulse me. I wanted to feel her soft lips on mine. I wanted to taste them. To show her just how much I want her.
And what did I do? I turned my face away, letting her lips land on my cheek instead. I didn’t even call her name or go after her when she ran out of the clubhouse, tears of humiliation glazing her eyes, embarrassment burning her cheeks.
I was too stunned and I still don’t think the shock has fully worn off yet and like the coward I am, I’ve been avoiding her ever since. The feelings she’s stirring inside are unlike anything I’ve ever felt and they scare me.
The bell above the front door jingles, snapping me from my thoughts.
Shit. I forgot to lock the door and turn theclosedsign around.
“We’re closed!” I call.
When I get no response, I get up off my stool and head for the front door, my blood pressure spiking when I see who’s standing on the other side inspecting the pictures and designson the wall.
“What the fuck areyoudoing here?”
Peter Watson turns to face me, his face as emotionless as ever. He really hasn’t changed over the years. He’s still a hard-faced bastard I want to fuck up with my fists. “I must say I’m impressed. You’re quite the artist. At least you put what you learned in prison to good use.”
“If you’re looking to get a tattoo, you’re shit outta luck. I don’t tattoo assholes.”
He huffs a laugh with a shake of his head. “Typical Killian Hunt. I came here to have a civilised conversation like adults and you turn it into a playground slanging match.”
“Civilised? That would involve one person listening to the other. I don’t remember you listening to a single goddamn word I said all those years ago in your office,Warden.”
Before becoming the mayor, Watson was the prison warden of Red Hook Penitentiary where I was incarcerated and I’ve hated him ever since. Hate like that doesn’t go away. It burns hotter in my veins every time I see him strut down the street like he’s something important. Even after all these years, I haven’t forgiven him for what he put me through—what heallowedto happen on his watch—and I certainly will never forget.
“Whatdoesshe see in you?”
“Fuck knows, but it should tell you something if she’d rather spend her time with me instead of you.”
“You’re a real piece of work, you know that?”
“Coming from a guy who degrades his own daughter, I’ll take it as a compliment, but excuse me if I don’t give a shit what you think about me.”
This fucking guys has the gall to callmea piece of work?After all the shit he’s done?
“Where’s Collins tonight? Isn’t he your little bitch now?”
“You’d know all about that, wouldn’t you,Hunt?”
And here he is calling me the animal when he just went straight for the jugular, a sick feeling settling in my stomach.
Before he can react, I have him pinned up against the wall, one of the framed photos smashing onto the floor at our feet. My forearm presses against his neck. It would be so easy to press a little harder and strangle the bastard.
“I would think very carefully about your next move, Killian,” he says coolly, like the fact I could end his life right here right now doesn’t faze him.
I bark a laugh. “Gonna plant drugs in my shop next time?”
“I could make life incredibly difficult for you, Killian,” he warns.
“Do your fucking worst, Watson. You got cards to play? So do I.”
“Hit me,” he goads. “Do it.”
My fist clenches. “Don’t fucking tempt me.”
