Sweet Retribution (Rydeville High Elite #3)(72)

But he failed.

We all did.

And she ended up hurt again.

Well, I’m putting a stop to it now.

Hunt confirmed it before we left, but I haven’t had any time to tell Drew or Abby.

Abby will protest if she finds out what I’m planning to do, which is why I’m not telling her until after it’s done.

She’s my wife, and it’s my job to protect her and keep her safe.

I know she wants, needs, to direct this thing. Because that bastard has hurt her over and over again.

I get that.

But she needs to realize she isn’t alone.

That sometimes others know what is best for her.

And on this occasion, I’m doing what I must do to ensure nothing like tonight ever happens again.





CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN


Abby





“Kai, I’m fine. I promise,” I say, hating how raspy my voice sounds. Truth is, my throat hurts like a bitch, and I’m shaking all over from the aftermath of my near miss, but I don’t want to worry him any more than he already is. His face is twisted in pain, and I know tonight put him through the ringer as well. Apparently, I fell asleep in the car on my way to Lauder’s place a couple hours ago. Which is why I’m still wearing my ripped wedding gown. Drew stayed behind to help Charlie, but I’ve still got five strapping guys hovering over me, all wearing troubled expressions.

“Can I get you something to eat or drink?” Jackson asks, kneeling in front of me.

“How about some hot sweet tea?” Sawyer inquires, arching a brow.

“Do you need any pain pills?” Rick asks, frowning. “And I really should check you out.”

“How about tequila?” Xavier says. “Or a whiskey for the shock.”

“Guys.” Kai shoots them the evil eye. “Stop crowding her.”

“It’s fine.” I push off my elbows on the couch, straightening up and biting down on my lip to avoid whimpering as pain shoots through my hip bone. I took quite a nasty fall, and I’m guessing I have the bruises to show for it.

“How about a warm bath?” Kai suggests, and I nod, because soaking my aching muscles in the tub sounds perfect. But I’m caked in Denton’s blood, and I really need to scrub myself clean first.

Rick follows us, but the others give us space, as we leave the room. Kai carries me upstairs to his bedroom, setting me down on the bed. “I’ll start the bath, while Rick checks you out.”

I nod, holding still as Rick checks my vitals, examines my throat, and asks me a few questions. When he’s happy I don’t need medical intervention, he slips quietly out of the room, and I’m glad he didn’t ply me with sympathy or pepper me with endless questions, because I can’t deal with that right now.

Kai steps into the room, lifting me off the bed and carrying me into the steam-filled scented bathroom. Silently, he helps me out of my ruined dress. I grab the USB sticks from the side panels, handing them to him. “Xavier and Sawyer will want those.”

He nods, placing them on the marble counter. “I’ll ensure they get them.”

“I want a shower first,” I explain, reaching for the shower door. “To get clean, and then I’d like to soak in the tub.”

“Okay, babe. You need me to hold you in the shower?” he asks, leaning in to switch it on.

I shake my head. “I’m covered in that bastard’s blood. I don’t want any of that touching you.”

His jaw locks tight. “Our long game better work, Abby, because those bastards are not getting away with any more shit.” The vein in his neck pulses, and his body is chock full of tension.

“It will work,” I say even more determined to bring them all down.

“Fuck, baby.” He pulls me close, resting his forehead against mine and closing his eyes, as his hands rest gently on my waist. He’s shaking all over, and his chest is visibly heaving.

“Hey.” I touch his face. “I’m okay.”

He opens his eyes, and there’s so much emotion brimming in his gaze. “I can’t watch them hurt you anymore. I can’t stand by and do nothing, Abby. I just can’t.” His voice cracks, and I want to wrap my arms around him and soothe him, but I’m covered in blood. “I need to protect you from them, and I haven’t been doing a good enough job.”

I caress his cheek. “None of this is on you, and what I need now is you to hold me and love me and help me put it behind me.” I hold his face more firmly. “They didn’t win tonight, Kai. I fought back, and you all came for me. They didn’t get what they wanted.”

“How are you so strong?” He kisses my cheek. “You are so brave, Abby. And every day I find more reasons to fall deeper in love with you.”

I stretch up and kiss his lips. “That right there. That’s what I need.” I sigh. “But first, I need to get clean.” He moves aside, and I step under the water, closing my eyes as the shower washes away every trace of them.

When I get out, Kai carries me to the tub, gently placing me in the water. A contented sigh slips from my mouth as the warm water caresses my aching muscles.

“Can I join you?” he asks.

“Please.” I smile, happy to be with him, despite what went down tonight. I watch him stripping out of his clothes, admiring his beautiful body, feeling the usual stirrings of lust, but I’m not able to act on anything. Because I feel like I’ve just gone ten rounds in a boxing ring and my psyche has taken another battering.