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“That’s right. You might think it’s your brains, Kenna, but even your sister can see who you really are.”
Tears streamed down her white face, and part of me screamed to repair the damage I’d just done, but I couldn’t. I was too far gone and just wanted to ease the terrible guilt I felt. I ignored every warning inside me as I lashed out blindly. I wanted to tear her apart the way the croc had ripped up that piece of shit who had hurt my dogs. I wanted her to feel the pain I felt.
“Congratulations,” she managed to say, though her voice was raspy and barely above a whisper, “you’ve just managed to hurt me worse than anyone in this world.”
I thought she’d say more. I thought she’d fight, but she just stepped around me, opened the door, and disappeared down the hall. I stood there a moment then pulled on my pants and sank into the couch.
Zhar pushed his nose under my hand and rested his head on my thigh. Then Leal whimpered and got up. He hobbled to the open door and looked at the direction she’d taken and whined. He awkwardly sat and waited as if she was going to come back.
“She’s gone, Leal. She’s not coming back.”
Kenna
“What did he do now?” Minnie folded her arms and leaned against the wall of my suite as I slipped into a neon blue bikini. I was about to meet Yen Hong for a pool party he’d set up to entertain one of his younger clients. The guy was in town until tomorrow, so I couldn’t put him off. My job spanned many areas, and if Yen Hong wanted me to wear a glittery g-string and dance around the pool, I’d do it. The harsh sting of Grim’s words the night before were far from forgotten, but I’d managed to pull in my hurt and try to understand what had happened.
“He’s in pain.” I hated that I was smart enough to see what was really going on with him. Being an adult sucked sometimes. I reassured myself that he’d acted like a hurt child who needed to strike out. In reality, I just wanted to say fuck it and go back to our daily fights. I hadn’t realized I’d missed our regular faceoffs. He was fun to mess with.
She nodded. “So, what did he do this time?”
I held a cover up in front of me in the mirror. “Said some very nasty things.”
“You seem really calm for a woman who’s had nasty things said to them by the reaper himself.”
“Calm isn’t a word I would use for how I’m feeling right now.” I decided against the black coverup for a white one.
“Okay,” she studied me in the mirror, “on a scale from Jim Gates to daddy-dearest, how badly did he hurt you?”
“Oh,” I chuckled darkly, “we’re way past daddy-dearest.”
Minnie moved so she could see my face more clearly in the glass. “Are you okay?”
“Let’s just say I looked over Yen’s offer to work for him in Hong Kong again.”
Her face fell, and she turned me around by my shoulders. “Ken, no. This is where you belong.”
“I know,” I assured her, “and I know he’s hurting and that he lashed at me because I saw him at his most vulnerable, but he did some damage I’m not sure I even want fixed.”
“Fucking Jeezelle.” She snickered, and I followed her out of the closet.
“What does that delusional twit have to do with anything?”
“She showed up last night, tried to get him to take her back to his place. He tossed her to us, but I knew just having her show up would screw with his head. So, between her wide-open legs and Leo, I’m sure he’s a mess.”
“He blames himself for Leo’s murder.”
“How?” She looked confused.
“I guess he almost went to see his brother that night, but then changed his mind and came to me instead.”
“Holy shit. That’s terrible.” Minnie put her hand to her chest.
“Yeah, and then last night, after Grim’s nasty payback, I left his place in nothing but his shirt, and got caught by Jesse in the elevator on my way back to my room.” I closed my eyes, embarrassed Jesse had seen me that way.
“Men,” she huffed. “Maybe Grim and Brick need to spend some time together since he’s in a dick mood right now too.”
“What now?” I felt bad I hadn’t asked about her and Brick lately.
“Same shit.” She curled up on the couch. “He acts like he wants more, then he pulls away. Something’s going on with him and Trigger. Brick seems happy for a bit then disappears on some job and returns in a shit mood.” She covers her eyes. “Like, pick a mood and fucking stick with it.”
