Reparation (The Kane Trilogy, #3)(78)

“Tatum,” Jameson's voice was full of warning, but he kept his eyes on Nick.

“I didn't realize you were here,” Nick started, glancing at Tate briefly before going back to Jameson. “I'm Nick Castille.” He held out his hand. Jameson did not shake it.

“I know who you are. The question is, do you know who I am?” Jameson asked, his voice full of steel. Nick nodded.

“I am very aware of who you are. Is he bothering you?” Nick asked her, his arm getting tighter around her waist. She pulled away from him, moving to the side of them both.

“No, just give us a minute, he was about to leave,” she said quickly. Jameson snorted.

“I'm not fu-cking going anywhere,” he replied.

“She asked you to leave. You need to leave,” Nick stressed. Jameson moved his stare to Tate.

“Unfinished business, Tatum,” he told her in a soft voice. She shivered.

“Not anymore, Kane,” she whispered. Nick glanced between them and stepped forward.

“Alright, enough. You're obviously upsetting her. Time to go,” He told him. Jameson barked out a laugh and stood to his full height, a good two inches over Nick.

“I'm not going anywhere. Didn't she tell you? The whole point of my existence is just to upset her,” Jameson informed him. Tate actually laughed at that one. Nick just got angry.

He never did quite get my sense of humor.

“That's it. You need to leave, or I'll get security to kick you out of the hotel,” Nick warned him. Jameson laughed again.

“Try it. I'll buy this hotel, then redecorate the interior with your small intestines,” Jameson threatened.

“Stop it,” Tate finally piped up.

“Wanna say that again? I didn't quite hear you,” Nick growled, stepping closer to him.

“I don't repeat myself to people like you,” Jameson growled right back.

“Probably because people like me are too far above you.”

“Yet not far enough above me that I couldn't make you regret ever touching her.”

“Stop it!” Tate shouted, pushing her way between them. She put a hand on each chest and shoved. Nick took a step back. Jameson didn't move a muscle.

“Tate,” Nick said, his tone no-nonsense. She glanced at him.

“Give us a minute,” she urged. Nick's eyebrows almost went into his hairline.

“Are you kidding me? After everything he's done!? Tate, don't let this guy ruin what we -,” Nick started to argue, when Jameson stepped foward, pushing into Tate so see she was trapped between the two of them.

“Stop!” she hissed, trying to push them away from each other again.

“'This guy' was here long before you ever were, and he'll be here long after you're gone,” Jameson warned him. Nick glared and stepped forward as well. Tate was officially squished, her shoulders pressing against a chest on either side of her.

“Yeah, well, I'm the guy who's with her right now, not you,” Nick snarled. Jameson laughed demonically.

“You so sure about that?” he challenged.

“I was sure last night.”

It happened so fast, Tate didn't even see it coming. For a big guy, Jameson was pretty quick. He gave a sharp jab with his right arm, slamming his fist into Nick's nose. Tate shrieked as Nick stumbled backwards into a wall. She turned and hurried to his side.

“I didn't even see you yesterday! Why would you say that!?” she demanded, grabbing his head and forcing him to look up. Blood was coming out of both nostrils, and from his teeth, but nothing looked broken. He managed a chuckle.

“I wanted to piss him off,” he sighed.

“Mission fu-cking accomplished,” Jameson swore behind them. Tate glared over her shoulder at him.

“Just go away. You've already ruined my evening – did you have to ruin his!?” she snapped.

“Yes. I came down here to say something, and I'm not fu-cking leaving till I say it,” Jameson snapped back.

“Well I don't wanna fu-cking hear it. I've heard enough, so just go fu-ck yourself,” she said through clenched teeth. He smiled.

“I believe that's your job.”

Nick lurched off the wall, almost knocking her down. She pressed her hands against his front, trying to stop him, but he surged forward. She yelped, lost her footing, and had to wrap her arms around his chest to hold herself upright.

He thinks that's an insult? That's everyday-polite-conversation for Jameson Kane.

“Talk to her like that again, and we'll see who -,” Nick started to shout.

“Shut up!” Tate finally shrieked. Everyone paused. She pushed herself upright and stared at Nick. “Stop trying to defend my honor – there isn't much there to defend. He's not going anywhere, so let's just go back inside.” She heard footsteps and then Jameson was right behind her. She didn't look, but held out an arm, putting her hand on his chest again to force him to keep his distance.

“Tatum,” Jameson's voice was right near her head. Almost pleading sounding. “Hear me. Just this once. Do what you want, not what you think is going to piss me off.” She turned her head back to face him.

“You need to go,” she urged.

He stared at her for a long moment. One of his hands went to his chest and covered her own. His palm was warm. Almost hot. He clenched his fingers around hers, and it was like he was transmitting images and memories straight to her brain. The places his hands had been, the places they had taken her to, if she would just remember. Just listen to him.