Sweet Retribution (Rydeville High Elite #3)(22)

“And what about the bodyguard?”

“He put a goon on babysitter detail, but I’ve already gotten him removed. I’ve told him we have the tape from Christmas Day and that he needs to back off, and give me my freedom, or I’ll show it to his mom. The last thing he wants is her discovering he sold his soul to the devil and got his father killed.”

“Your mind is a devious place, Abby,” Rick says, grinning. “But I fucking love how you think.”

Kai growls. “Only because she’s not your wife, and you don’t have to worry about her being in the line of fire. Or picture that asshole touching the woman you love.” Kai pulls his hand away, dragging it through his hair.

“I won’t let him take it too far. I promise.”

“God-fucking-damn it.” Kai yanks fistfuls of his hair in frustration. “I can’t do it.” His tormented gaze guts me, and I understand, because even the thought of our roles reversed makes me want to hack up my dinner. “We’ll find another way.” He grabs both sides of my face. “We’ll fucking run. Let’s do it. Let’s just go now and forget about all this.”

Pain spears me, making mincemeat of my heart. “We talked about this before. We can’t. He’ll go after everyone we love.”

Thick silence engulfs the room.

“Abby is right, Kai.” Rick sighs, scrubbing a hand along his smooth jawline. “We need to take both those bastards down. And the only way we can do it is by playing them at their own game.”





CHAPTER NINE


Kaiden





I need to fight. To release the tsunami building to epic proportions inside me. Except, I’m in no fucking condition to fight. I’m only in control because I don’t want Abby to see the murderous intent racing through my mind.

I want to throttle my father until he’s blue in the face.

And I want to punch Charlie Barron until he’s a bleeding, broken, lifeless piece of shit at my feet.

I scan every inch of her beautiful face, vowing to do everything in my power to protect her. Not for the first time, I don’t feel worthy of her.

How she is still standing, still fighting, is beyond me.

After everything that’s happened, most women would, understandably, be a shell of themselves.

But the more her father pushes, the more determined my wife gets.

With every calculated move, he tries to break her spirit only to reinforce it. Abby is one of the strongest people I’ve ever met, but I see what she’s doing too.

She’s throwing herself into this battle full force so she doesn’t think about the ultimate betrayal.

Murderous intent returns with a vengeance when I think back to Christmas Day. When he told her he’d stolen her womb. Stolen the experience of her carrying my child from both of us. I’ve spent the last few days in and out of consciousness, but any lucid moments were consumed with thoughts of Abby and all that we’ve lost.

Michael Hearst is going to suffer for the pain he’s inflicted on his daughter.

I will fucking die to ensure it if I have to.

But he is not getting away with it.

Which is why I know I need to agree to this.

My ribs are on fire, and my body fucking aches, but it’s nothing compared to the pain in my heart at the thought of what she’ll have to do to save us.

I could live a million lifetimes and never be worthy enough of her.

I’m a lucky son of a bitch that she loves me. Still don’t understand why. But I won’t ever take it for granted. The only way I can get through this shit show is to remember all we have to look forward to.

“Okay.” The word is like poison as it slips out of my mouth.

Abby’s shoulders slump in relief, and I know I’ve done the right thing. Even if it will kill me every second of every day. I won’t add to her burden. Especially when she’s doing it to keep me safe. But we will be having words in private, because there are some lines she cannot cross.

“And that’s the only reason we’re not going to strangle Atticus with our bare hands,” I add, giving Drew and Abby a glimpse into Rick’s and my conversation.

“You’ve made the right call,” Drew says, thanking me with his eyes.

“Abby and Kai are the only reason I’m not on a plane to New York already,” Rick admits. “I want to hang that bastard by his balls from the rafters.”

“He’s going to get what’s coming to him,” I say, as my hands clench at my sides.

Abby unfurls one fist, leaning down to press a kiss to the back of my hand, and I want to grab her into my lap and hold onto her for eternity.

But I know we’re on borrowed time. She needs to leave soon. And I need private time with her. “I know we have a lot to discuss, but I need to speak with Abby alone,” I tell Drew and my brother.

They stand. “Of course.” Drew leans down and kisses the top of his sister’s head.

I’d worried the elite and Parkhurst had changed Drew permanently, but it’s obvious how much he still cares. Sending his woman away killed him, and I admire his strength. I’d like to think I’d do the same in his shoes, but when it comes to Abigail, I’m a selfish prick. I can’t last five minutes without her, so there’s no way I’d consider sending her away for good. Drew sent Jane away to protect her the only way he knew how, and he’s going out on a limb for his sister, double-crossing his father even though he knows he’s a dead man walking if he finds out.