She’snotokay, but she will be.
I’ll make sure of it.
I edge her behind me so she’s safely out of the way before turning my attention back to the piece of shit currently lying at my feet. I bend down and grip him by the lapels of his fancy designer jacket, dragging him to his feet and shoving him up against the wall.
“You enjoy beating up women, huh? Let me show you how it feels.” I drive my fist into his face and his eyes roll, his knees buckling beneath him but I hold him up, my hand locked around his throat.
He claws weakly at my hand, trying to remove my iron grip around his neck and fails miserably.
“I don’t like men who abuse women, I like rapists even less, and you my friend are both.”
“S…She tell you that? That Ir—rapedher?” he slurs, “I didn’t f—fucking touch her.”
“The intent was there, asshole. Wanna find out what happens to men like you?” I lean in close. “Put it this way, I didn’t spend seven years in prison for nothing.”
His eyes flare and he goes to speak, probably to plead his innocence but, we’re interrupted.
“What in God’s name is going on here?” Mayor Watson’s voice has my head snapping in his direction. Beside him is Kaia’s mother, who’s eyes are wide with shock, but not shocked enough to go to her daughter’s aid.
Watson’s eyes flick from Kaia, to the prick in front of me before finally settling on me. “Hm. I might’ve guessed it would be something to do withyou.”
“You’re damn right. This how you take care of your daughter? By letting this piece of shit near her!” I shout.
Jett and Drew appear then, Sofia close behind, rushing to Kaia’s side and wrapping her arms around her friend as a crowd starts to gather.
“What is this? What have you done to my son?” The tall man from earlier that I don’t recognise beside the mayor asks in outrage. “Peter, who is this thug?”
“Yourson?” I interrupt. “Tell me, what kind of a father raises a son who thinks it’s okay to hurt women?”
He frowns. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me,” I snap before my eyes return to Watson. “And what kind of a father lets the guy who tried to rape his daughter to come within an inch of her?”
He’s speechless for a second, processing my words before his eyes dart to Kaia. “Is this true?”
“I—I tried to tell you earlier,” she sniffs, her voice thick.
What?!
“Shefuckingtold you and you still made her come here with him! The fuck is wrong with you?”
I release her ex and he drops to the ground like a sack of potatoes. I stretch out my hand to Kaia. She untangles herself from Sof and hurries to me. She takes my hand, her other looping around my upper arm as she presses herself againstmy side, clinging to me like I’m her lifeline.
“She’s your fucking daughter, Watson. You had one job: toprotecther, and you blew it. But don’t worry, that’s my job now.” I squeeze her hand comfortingly. “Come on, butterfly. Let’s get you out of here.”
I lead her towards the exit, past Ryan Eaton and past the guys still sat behind the desk and out into the cold night, descending the steps at the front of the building. It’s sub-zero out here, the biting wind like needles against my face. Kaia’s body shakes violently beside me, and I stop to shrug off my jacket.
I haven’t had the chance to take her in until now, and if the cold hadn‘t already stolen the breath from my lungs, the sight of Kaia sure would’ve.
She’s dressed in a beautiful midnight blue satin gown that hugs her soft slender curves, looking like a fucking goddess. Her dark hair falls in waves down her back and around her bare shoulders. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything so beautiful in my life.
One of the thin spaghetti straps of her dress has slipped off her shoulder and I reach down to put it back into place, my fingers dusting over her skin and I’m not sure if it’s the chill in the air that makes her shiver or my touch.
“I’m gonna take you home, okay?”
She shakes her head. “I don’t wanna go home.”
“Good thing I’m not taking you there then. You’re coming home with me.”
