Sweet Retribution (Rydeville High Elite #3)(74)

“So, what does it mean for us now?”

“I pretty much showed my hand tonight,” he admits, and my heart stops beating for a couple seconds. “Your father knows I still care about you.” He stretches up, pecking my lips. “And you told me you loved me in the elevator in front of Charlie too.”

“Oh fuck.” I have no recollection of that.

“The game is up with Charlie, but I still don’t think he’d do anything to hurt you. He’s guilty as hell after how things went down tonight, and you can use that to buy his silence. That and the fact we have the tape.” He kisses me softly again. “I’m done living without you, Abby. I want you back in my life and in my bed.” He pulls me down on top of him. “We can make a deal with the bastard. You agree to maintain the charade with Charlie in public, and in return, we get to do what we want behind closed doors. If he doesn’t like it, we threaten to release the recording now.”

“He’ll want to negotiate,” I say. “He’ll want that tape, and we’ll have to find somewhere secure to store it, along with backups, because he’ll try everything in his power to steal it back from us.”

“We already have that all figured out,” he says. “And it’s under control. Don’t ask me to tell you, because it’s safer if you don’t know.”

“Kai.” I sit up, slanting him with a warning look. We agreed no more secrets, and he’s not starting this shit again.

“No, baby.” He holds my face in his hands. “There are some occasions where I get to overrule you. It’s my job as your husband to take control when you need to let someone else take care of you. This is one of those times, so please don’t fight me on it, because tonight has tested every limit I’ve got. Have you any idea how badly I wanted to slaughter every fucking bastard in that room tonight? How fucking terrified I was for you?”

“I know, babe,” I say, resting my head on his chest. “Because I was feeling those emotions too.” I’m worried about the consequences of what he’s done, but I can’t deny how happy it makes me feel that he’s taken charge and he’s arranging it so we are back in one another’s arms.





“Can’t sleep, huh?” Jackson asks, as I saunter into the kitchen a couple hours later, yawning.

“I slept fitfully,” I admit, scrubbing my eyes as I head toward the coffee pot. You’d think being back in Kai’s arms, getting to sleep snuggled up against him in bed, would induce the best sleep ever, but I couldn’t shut my brain off. I’m too wired over all the what-ifs.

“Let me get that.” His hands land on my shoulders, and he maneuvers me onto a stool.

I prop my face in my hands as I watch him pour two steaming mugs of coffee.

“I know why I can’t sleep, but what about you?” I ask, glancing at the clock on the wall. It’s twenty to five in the morning.

He shrugs, sipping his coffee, and I understand if he doesn’t want to say. But I’ve wanted to ask for a long time, and the opportunity has never presented itself. “The elite did something to your sister, didn’t they?” I softly ask, promising myself I’ll drop it if he doesn’t respond.

His entire body stiffens, and I reach out, placing my hand over his. “It’s okay, Jackson. I’m sorry for prying.”

His head hangs, and his eyes lower to the table. Silence descends, and it’s uncomfortable. “When Kai told us what happened tonight,” he says, in a low voice, lifting his chin. I’m startled to see tears in his blue eyes. “It brought it all back,” he admits, pretty much confirming my suspicions. “And, I—” He sighs heavily. “Fuck. If anything happened to you.” He stands, pulling me into his chest, and I wrap my arms around his waist, resting my head on his chest. He’s wearing a white T-shirt, but heat rolls off his body in tight waves.

“I’m so sorry, Jackson.” I hope someday he’s able to tell me about her. But if those bastards got a hold of her, I can only imagine the horrors she endured.

“I’ve spent all this time since her death fighting my feelings, but I can’t do that anymore because it’s killing me inside.” He tips my face up and our eyes meet. “Your strength and your determination to bring them down has encouraged me to start facing up to it.” He smiles, and my heart hurts so bad for him because he’s not hiding behind his humor. I’m getting an up close and personal view of the real Jackson. “I’ve failed my sister. I’ve let myself down. And I’m done being that guy.”

“I happen to think that guy’s pretty great,” I say, peering earnestly into his eyes. “And don’t be too hard on yourself. Everyone handles grief differently, and the mind can only process what it’s capable of processing. I didn’t know your sister, and I didn’t know you when she was alive, but I know you loved her very much. I know you were an amazing brother. And I definitely know you didn’t fail her.” I clasp his wrist. “So, whatever you’re saying to beat yourself up, stop. When you’re ready to deal, we’ll do it together.” Renewed determination fuses through my veins. “And whoever is responsible, we’ll make sure they pay.”





CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT