Sweet Retribution (Rydeville High Elite #3)(77)

He’s no longer on speaking terms with Trent or Drew, and he’s just thrown me out on my ass.

Meaning he literally has no one.

He hurt me, and he hurt Kai.

And he helped set everything in motion.

I have every reason to hate him, but I just feel sorry for him.

Charlie is a product of his environment and his upbringing, and I wonder if there is ever any way back for him.

I’m sad for my friend.

For the guy who has always had my back even if his motives weren’t always pure.

“Babe.” Kai lands his hand on my thigh as we emerge from the driveway out onto the open road. “I love how passionately you care, but Charlie Barron dug that hole he’s in, and he has no one to blame but himself. As long as he leaves you alone, I consider this a win.”

I gulp over the messy ball of emotion in my throat as I place my hand over Kai’s. “I know it’s a win, and I’m happy I’m back with you, but I can’t help how I feel.”

“You have a big heart, Abby,” Jackson says. “Don’t ever change.”

“Shit,” Sawyer says, sighing, and three sets of eyes turn in his direction. “Drew just texted. Your father has shown up at our place. He’s demanding a meeting.”

“Crap. He’s probably mad Drew is there.” I’m always worried about Drew ending up bearing the brunt of all this. He’s still not off the hook with the bastard.

“I informed your father in the message that you were living with me,” Kai says, and my eyes pop wide. Kai really threw caution to the wind, and I seriously hope he doesn’t end up regretting his ballsy move. “Drew can say he was checking up on you.” He takes his eyes off the road for a second to glance at me. “Don’t worry. He’ll be fine.”

“He’s got some balls showing up there,” Kai adds. “But I’m glad he appears to be taking our warning seriously.” He sends me a triumphant smile I don’t share. “Now, it’s our turn to lay down some ground rules.”

When we return to the house, Drew and Rick are with the bastard in the formal living room. I’m guessing Xavier is keeping out of sight, because he doesn’t want Father discovering his identity. I’m hoping he had time to set up surveillance so this conversation is being recorded. Kai keeps a tight hold of my hand as we step into the room. He shoots daggers at my father, not hiding how much he hates him.

“Abigail.” He stands. “I came to see how you were.”

I snort. “Cut the bullshit, Father. We all know why you are here. You want to negotiate, so just spit it out.”

He takes a step toward me. “Abigail, I—”

Kai moves in front of me, keeping his hand threaded through mine. “Don’t come any closer, or I’ll blow your fucking brains out. You don’t get to speak to her or touch her. You have something to say, you say it to me.”

“I’ve got to hand it to you two,” he purrs. “You almost had me fooled, but you let your emotions get in the way. You should never show your hand so blatantly, Kaiden. It’s a rookie move.”

“I don’t give a damn what you think, you perverted fuck,” Kai says. “All I want is you to stay away from Abby and to ensure those fucking assholes you call friends get the memo too.”

“You are so much like your father,” he calmly replies. “And look where loving a woman got him.”

I grab fistfuls of Kai’s shirt, sending a silent warning to keep his cool. Because the bastard wants to wind him up. “I am nothing like my father,” Kai says in a lethal tone. “Because he’s always been a selfish prick who was too arrogant to see what was right in front of him. Trust me, I won’t make the same mistakes.” He pulls me around to his front, bundling me into his chest and wrapping his arms around me. “I love your daughter, and I will go the ends of the earth to protect her. If you think my threat is empty, then you’re the fool. If you even breathe funny on her, I’ll send that video to every major news outlet worldwide. Not even the elite could save you from the fallout.”

“Once I am elected president,” he says, “I will permit Abigail to seek an annulment of her marriage to Charlie, and I’ll give you both my blessing and my word that you are free to do as you please provided the shares in Manning Motors are transferred back to me and all copies of the recording are also in my possession.”

“And in the intervening period, you will keep away from her and keep those other bastards away from her,” Kai adds.

“You have my word,” he says, and I smother a snort. He’s so full of shit. No one is buying this, and it’s the most ridiculous charade, but at least it buys us some time to implement our plan.

“Fine. We have a deal,” Kai confirms, and I know he’s deliberately letting Father think he’s weak by not arguing the point further.

“Abigail will have to act as Charlie’s wife in public until then. I don’t care what you do behind closed doors, but there can be no indication the marriage isn’t real.”

“I’m not the one you must convince,” I say, turning around in Kai’s arms. I can barely tolerate looking at him, but I fake it, schooling my lips into a neutral line. “Charlie doesn’t want anything to do with me now.”