Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 137326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 687(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 458(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 687(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 458(@300wpm)
Violet
You forgot your umbrella, Dahl. It’s raining. I’m in the arena’s parking lot near Kane’s car. Come pick it up.
Me
Aw, thanks, Vi. You didn’t have to.
Of course I did. I don’t want you to catch a cold.
On my way.
I look back at Kane. “Vi’s brought me an umbrella. I’ll wait for you by the parking lot?”
“You can go home with her if you like.”
“And miss the victory party? No way in hell.”
“You’re getting a bit too addicted to those.”
“I love seeing my man being the center of attention.” I smooch his mouth. “See you in a bit.”
Kane smacks my ass and I gasp in mock horror before I hurry outside, pulling the hoodie over my head. The parking lot is starting to empty out from all the spectators, and the rest are running to their cars to escape the pouring rain.
I can’t find Vi in the midst of the chaos, so I try calling her, but she doesn’t pick up. I go back to where Kane’s car is parked. Not here. The area is practically deserted now except for some players who are heading to their cars, chatting amongst each other.
A flash of movement catches my attention from a corner near the building.
I inch toward it in case Vi chose a secluded place to hide. She doesn’t really do well with crowds and always finds a corner.
My lips part at the scene unraveling before me.
A large, muscular body is flattening my much smaller sister against the corner. His right arm is on the wall above her head while the other clutches her chin in what looks like a painful grip.
Jude.
When the hell did he even leave the locker room?
An open yellow umbrella lies on the ground and the rain pours down, drenching them both, rivulets forming on his leather jacket, her hair sticking to her pale face as she stares up at him. I’m not sure if it’s rain or tears that stream down her cheeks. Or a mixture of both.
He leans down and whispers something in her ear. His muscles are tight, his posture stiffer than usual.
Vi’s eyes widen as he speaks and I march forward, about to rip him a new one.
Slap.
I freeze.
Did Vi just…slap Jude? The Jude Callahan, whose name she trembles at the mere mention of?
What the hell did he even say to make my sister, who’d never hurt a fly, slap him?
Jude’s lips pull in a smile as he strokes his cheek where she slapped him.
Jude smiling? I’ve never seen him do that. Like never.
I snap myself out of my daze.
Before he can retaliate, I rush over to my sister and pull her to my side. She’s trembling all over, and something tells me it has nothing to do with the rain.
“Go away, Jude!” I hug her closer as I glare at him.
He glares back as if he wants to bash my head on the ground for daring to interrupt whatever the hell he was going to do.
But he casts one last dark, cryptic look at my sister, and she stares back. Vi rarely looks at people directly. She usually stares at her shoes or anywhere but the other person.
Jude finally walks away, and she releases a long exhale as if she forgot to breathe.
I grab the umbrella and hold it over our heads. “You okay, Vi? I swear I’m going to kill Jude one of these days.”
“It’s nothing.”
“That didn’t look like nothing.” I study her. “Did he hurt you?”
“No. I’m all right.” She forces a smile. “Now that I brought your umbrella, I’m leaving.”
“Want me to come along?”
“Stop worrying so much, Dahl. I’ll be fine.” She motions behind me. “Your boyfriend is waiting.”
As she walks away, her movements are stiff, and I frown.
A strong arm wraps around my waist before Kane’s soothing voice rushes into my ear. “What’s wrong?”
“Jude was cornering Vi. He whispered something I couldn’t hear. She slapped him and he was…smiling. What’s up with that?”
“Hmm,” is all he says, his expression neutral.
“What type of response is that?”
“Just stay away from whatever foreplay they have going on.”
“Foreplay? What the hell are you talking about?”
“Probably nothing.” He presses me against his rock-hard chest. “More importantly, can I have your attention now?”
I grin. “You always have my attention.”
“Damn straight.” He lifts my chin. “I need that proper kiss now.”
And then his lips devour mine.
Until I completely forget we’re in public.
Until he’s my entire world.
And I’m his.
EPILOGUE 2 — KANE
A YEAR LATER
My heartbeat is steady as I lurk in the shadows of my mother’s extravagant garden.
No one is here.
In the garden.
Or the house.
I dismissed the entire staff and security team after my mother went on an international trip for the mental health charity she’s now spending most of her time—and money—on.
Dahlia doesn’t know that, though.
She thinks we’re having a family dinner and is probably dolling herself up to look her best.