Sweet Retribution (Rydeville High Elite #3)(75)

“I need to get my things,” I say the following morning, stretching my arms up over my head as I yawn. I finally crawled back under the covers at six thirty a.m., snuggling contentedly into Kai’s welcoming arms. At some point, he got up, returning with a tray laden with food. My tummy is full after a plateful of delicious eggs and bacon, and now, it’s time to get moving.

“I’ll get them,” he replies, pinning me with a look that says he means business.

I swing my legs out the side of the bed, moaning as pain spreads up one side of my body. “I need to talk to him, Kai.”

“It can wait until you feel better.”

“I know Charlie. He’ll only show up here if I don’t make an appearance today.”

“So, let him come here. It’s safer than you going there.”

I stand and walk around the bed toward him. “I’m going to him. That way I can kill two birds with one stone.” I peck him on the lips. “Come with me if it makes you feel better.”

He scrubs a hand over his prickly jaw. “What if he tries something?”

“What’s he going to try, Kai?” I shrug. “It’s clear whatever deal he had with my dad has broken down. They beat him and tied him to a chair last night. I don’t think he’ll be feeling charitable toward them.”

He sighs. “Okay.”

I look up at him. “Okay?” I wasn’t expecting him to concede so easily.

“There’s no point arguing when we both know you’re going to do it whether I approve or not.”

My smile is wide. “I’m glad you know me and that you’re willing to compromise.”

He playfully swats my butt. “It’s less about compromise and more about saving myself a pointless headache.”

An hour later, we are on the road. Sawyer and Jackson are in the back while Kai drives and I’m riding shotgun. Xavier, Rick, and Drew are on standby in case we need to call in the cavalry, but I really don’t think that’ll be necessary.

Kai parks directly in front of the Barron mansion, turning to face me. “I’m coming in.”

“No, you’re not.” I slant him with a warning look as I secure the earpiece in my ear. “That will only end in bloodshed.” I check my gun has the safety on before slipping it in the back waistband of my jeans. Then, I pull Kai’s sweater down over it. I had left a few items of clothing at Lauder’s place previously, but I had no tops. I’m sure turning up in Kai’s clothes will be like waving a red flag in front of Charlie, but it was that or show up in my black bra. I yank the sweater down at the top, securing the communication chip to my lower chest where it’s out of sight. I press down on it to activate it as the guys slip their earpieces in.

I lean across the console and kiss his antsy mouth. “He won’t hurt me, but if you hear anything you don’t like, just come get me.”

“I don’t like this at all, and if he says anything even remotely threatening, I’m barging in there.”

I kiss him again. “I’m counting on it, caveman.”





“Charlie?” I call out as I close the front door behind me. There’s no reply, and I wander to the kitchen, but he’s not in there. The house is spookily empty and quiet as I make my way from the kitchen to the basement. I’m guessing Lillian is out and Elizabeth is squirreled away in her bedroom, as usual.

Quietly opening the door to the basement den, I discover Charlie lying on the couch in sweats and a plain white T-shirt, watching TV. A plaid blanket covers his lower half, and his feet are bare. “Hey,” I softly say as I walk across the room.

He jerks around, grimacing and wincing in obvious pain.

“Can I get you some pain pills?” I ask as I round the couch toward him. “Did you call the doctor to check you out?”

“Don’t do that,” he says, his face contorting further as he attempts to pull himself upright.

“Do what?” I question, tentatively sitting down at his feet.

“Pretend like you care,” he hisses. “It’s clear now that I was fucking played.”

There’s no point lying. “You left me no choice.”

“I did it all for you, Abby. And it was for nothing.” A cold look washes over his features, matching his chilly tone.

“It wasn’t for nothing.” I lean toward him. “I still care about you, Charlie. I care about you a lot even though you’ve hurt me.”

The indifferent mask drops away, and anger blazes in his eyes. “Don’t fucking lie,” he roars, sitting up straighter, and wincing. “You don’t fucking love me! Not in the way I love you.”

“I can’t force myself to feel things that don’t exist.” I shoot him an earnest look because I’m being completely up front with him. “If you’d taken the time to properly talk to me, instead of siding with my father, then all of this could’ve been avoided.” I get up and sit down beside him. “I still love you as a friend, Charlie. You have been in my life for as long as I can remember, and I know this isn’t you. I know my father manipulated you. Using your feelings for me to screw with your mind and—”

“Don’t be na?ve, Abby,” he sneers, and his alternating mood swings are giving me emotional whiplash. “This is bigger than your father, and we both know it.”