Before I can respond or demand answers he’ll never give, his cell buzzes against his desk. His wife’s picture flashes on the screen. He picks up the cell and adjusts the sleeve of his blazer.
“You can go,” he orders before answering and bringing it to his ear.
Whatever Sam’sdigginginto—whateverthisis—it’s bigger than some kiss outside an admin building. Bigger than him pitting me against my brother.
This isn’t about protecting Alex. It’s about control. And if he thinks I’m going to play the loyal son now, he’s got another think coming. I don’t know what Sam’s gotten herself into, but I’m going to find out.
And when I do, he won’t be the only one pulling strings.
I should leave.
But I can’t turn away.
I try. I mentally will myself to move my feet back in the other direction. My brain must have other plans because instead I remain cemented in place. A part of me needs to know why my father’s interested in her and how she’s involved with Alex. Imeant it when I told Richard that who Alex fucks is none of my business.
Only this feels like my business.Shefeels like my business, and that irritates me. Whether I want to admit it out loud or not.
My knuckles rap against the door, and I wait. When no one comes, I knock once more, this time harder. Then it opens, and Sam’s face appears. Even in the shit glow of the hallway, I can see the panic spread on her face.
Without a word, I push against the door and step inside. No greeting or introduction needed. She looks at me like I crawled out of hell. And maybe I did. Sam’s frozen state lasts only a moment before she snatches up the throw blanket on her bed and haphazardly throws it over her laptop and papers there.
“What are you doing here?” Sam asks, the frown forming before she finishes the question, her eyes falling to the bottle of whiskey still in my hand.
Her eyes barely meet mine as she moves over to the desk on the left side of the room, skittishly crossing her arms in front of her.
“Why are you here, Kane? What do you want?”
I rake a hand through my tight curls, feeling the sting in my scalp from the pull, and laugh under my breath. It’s bitter and hollow.
“I don’t know.”
“You’re drunk.” Her lips press into a thin line. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Hmph,” I huff. “What’s wrong with me?”
I pace in front of her, bring the bottle to my lips and toss it back. My reflection catches in the full-length mirror on the bathroom door, and I despise what I’m looking at.
“What’s not wrong?” I mutter more to myself than Sambefore turning back to her. “You. You’re what the fuck’s wrong with me.”
A wrinkle deepens between her brows. “What?”
I step closer, looming over her.
“I said you’re the problem,” I grind out, dragging a hand down my face, hoping to calm the riot under my skin. “Everywhere I go, you’re there. Always breathing my air, taking up space in my head.”
Her jaw clenches. “Then stay away from me.”
“I’ve tried.” I sneer, jabbing a finger against my temple. “But I can’t get you out my goddamn head.”
We’re so close now, the warmth of her body meeting mine, and I was right. Frustratingly so. The scent of vanilla cocoons me.
“Like you’re some walk in the damn park.” Sam inches forward, causing me to take one step back. “You think I like having to seeyou? Think I spend my days thinking aboutyou?”
Cute. Using my own shit against me.
“News flash, jerk. I don’t.” She jabs a finger in my chest, eyes blazing. “Being here hasn’t been easy, and I damn sure don’t want to be y’all’s locker room flunky, but it is what it is.”
“Then leave SKU. Whatever you’re doing here, whatever you’re up to… forget it. Go away and don’t look back.”
