Page 14 of Savage Salvation

“I already had it.”

I cram the unwanted candy into what’s left of the gift wrapping and thrust it against his chest. He doesn’t move to take it as the gift bag and the bat both fall to the floor in my haste. He’s not here to taunt me. He’s here to cause severe destruction. And he’s using something that’s too personal for me to remain intact against. “Sure you did. It’s past time for you to leave now. Five minutes are up.”

“I thought you’d be happy with it.”

“What the actual fuck is wrong with you? How did you even figure out that I liked it?” I shake my head. I’m such a freakin’ fool. “Ryan. He told you.”

“You don’t like it. You love it. And I know that because you told me it was your favorite. ‘Very Berry Strawberry Fairy. Only a real magical fairy can get the flavor just right.’”

No. Fucking. Way. Am I in a parallel universe? Because the brute in front of me just recited my words, bringing up a memory of me telling the ten-year-old version I knew of him that exact same thing.

He takes a slow, calculated step forward. His hand reaches for my hip, and he grips it for a second before moving it to the small of my back. The fingers of that powerful hand that had delivered such brutal blows to Pete mere hours ago slip under the hem of my tank, soft and gentle, just above the waistband of my cotton pajama pants. Cold from the rain, his touch leaves a chilling trail as his mouth moves to mine, his lips brushing tenderly as I remain still, afraid to move because he’s pulling me under his alluring spell, as he says, “I’ve savored every fucking piece of it because I imagine it’s what you taste like.” His lips press against mine, his tongue dipping into my mouth, eagerly exploring and devouring me between his words as he says, “And I was fucking right. You taste so goddam sweet.”

My mind slowly registers his words, trying to fight the feel of his mouth on mine. When my body molds to his solid frame, I know his allure is overpowering any good sense that I have left. But as the smell of whiskey on him clicks in my brain, it tells me exactly what’s overpowering his good sense right now. What am I doing? The grip of his hand on my ass, pulling me against him, allowing me to feel his rock-hard dick pulls me out of the delirium I’ve been caught up in. Even if he looks (and feels) like heaven on earth, he’s not. He’s not just some kind, thoughtful guy bringing me an innocent birthday gift. It’s Gage. He’s the serpent in the garden with a mouthwatering apple of temptation. And I can’t take a bite. Because it’ll come with a price, and it’ll be a steep one.

Thrusting my hands against the wet material of his T-shirt, I push away from him. And unsurprisingly, he doesn’t completely let me escape. “Leave. Now.” I shove him, and thankfully, he finally drops his touch from my skin. Even though his hands are cold and rain drenched, my skin burns where he’s touched. I don’t need the holy water for him. I need to take a freakin’ bath in it. “Get. Out!” I scream, my shriek ringing through the vacant store. I reach down to grab the baseball bat, motioning to the exit.

“Kinsley.” His desperate huff of my name sends my rage into overdrive. Why the hell is he doing this? Why is he here, dredging up memories and moments that no longer exist in reality? He crushed them long ago.

“I’m not that little girl anymore. And you sure as fuck ain’t that little boy. You’re the ignorant ass who stands by while his sicko friend makes my life miserable.”

“You make yourself miserable. Just like I do.” His strained tone, along with his words, cause my arms to rear back unbidden. Swinging the bat, it’s anyone’s guess if I’m more surprised by my action or his response. With lightning reflexes, his hand comes up, the aluminum slapping against his palm as his fingers clasp around it. He doesn’t make a move to take it, but he holds it from moving, stops it from hitting him. “You don’t have to fight me. Or this. Or us.”

“You said you’d leave.” I take the opportunity to hope there’s something decent in him and he’ll honor his word. I won’t be knocking any sense into his stupid head with the bat, but I know he’s still in control of this situation.

“You really should learn to defend yourself.”

“You really should fuck off,” I retort, earning a snicker from him.

“I’d rather fuck you.”

“I’d rather fuck your dad.” Not true. But it’s a low blow, an open wound I know still stings after the gross rumor of him catching his ex and dad together. And apparently, it’s landed exactly as I intended. I’ve pressed a button that’s lit a wild, furious look in his eyes.

He glares to me, surging forward to harshly grip my bicep. “Be careful what you say, Kinsley. Some things can’t be undone.”

“Like death,” I whisper, and his hand drops from my arm.

Turning, he trudges out of the store as I stand there, watching the door shut behind him. None of this can be undone. And I worry the damage has only started to reveal itself.

10

Gage

“Why are you questioning me?” I ask, knowing damn well he’s questioning me because that’s what I pay him to do. I don’t have a good enough grasp on the industry, so I signed Walter up to do the shit I should be doing but don’t want to. His specialty is law, but he’s been around long enough to know the ins and outs, does all the research I’ll never do, and has good business sense. I don’t care to learn about any of it. Yet, I can’t entirely walk away from it, either.

My brother is thriving with his share—still in the mix, making decisions, taking his rightful place in the company even from across the country. Me—I just want to bury all of it in a grave beside my mother. But the disappointment she’d have in me is the only reason I haven’t.

“It’s my job. It’s not a bad move, just out of the norm for you to get involved.”

“Yep. So do it.” I tap the screen of my phone, disconnecting the call before dropping the device in the pocket of my navy slacks. Looking to the school building, I consider the fact that I could drive away now, never graduate, and it wouldn’t make a damn bit of difference in my life. Only, being here gives me a reason for not sitting behind a desk at the company I own a third of. Because I can’t. Not yet. Not when my father is mere steps down the corridor, reminding me of everything I want to get away from.

The sucker doesn’t know it won’t be long before he’s completely out of the company. It’s been more than a year of behind-the-scenes planning and gathering of solid evidence from my father’s shady (and highly illegal) dealings, but it will all come to a head soon. He won’t have a choice but to step down. Hopefully all of our work ends with him losing what he holds most dear to him—his company, and in turn, his wealth. That’s when Walter will take on even more, and he’s ready because he’ll be rewarded substantially. And it’ll be worth every cent. And I’ll be happy to sit back and watch my father’s world collapse from the inside out.

My anger at him is redirected when I see her silver Camry park in a spot across the lot. Kinsley steps out, fumbling with her bag as she tugs down the pleated skirt that my hands itch to reach under. Only, the words she said force out the image of me doing it, replaced by the sicko I call my father. The reminder of him fucking my ex was enough to piss me off, send me into a spiraling frenzy that included more self-imposed misery. But the thought of him touching Kinsley, that would be the last day the motherfucker would take a breath. But I know she was fucking with my mind. And she’s damn good at it. Time to return the favor.

She rummages through her bag, her head down as I step behind her. “You’re not gonna find what you need in there.”

Her shoulders stiffen, her movements halting for a few seconds, but she doesn’t turn to face me and instead continues digging through her bag. “Stop pretending you know anything about me or what I need.”