The Revenge (The Insiders Trilogy #3)(54)

I looked away.

And waited.

And waited more.

He was silent, and then a soft sigh came from him. His hand touched my arm and he tugged me to him. Drawing me into him, he looked down at me, and yes, into me. “If I’m looking at you in a way that you don’t want to feel, then I get it, but I love you. I can’t stop that. It’s me trying to figure out what’s bothering you and if I can do anything to help eliminate it. And for everything you just said, it goes both ways you know. You see me, too.” He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, his hand cupping and resting on the side of my face. “I’ll never stop seeing you.”

I moved into him, our bodies flush against each other.

My head went to his chest and I melted. I let go of tension that I hadn’t even known was there. His hand came up, rubbing the back of my neck, then my shoulder blades, and he moved further down on my back. Oh yeah. That was the spot. I was almost crooning and swooning here. Then his hand moved to my ass, and he grabbed a handful of one cheek.

My eyes darted up and he was watching me back, but his eyes were dark and lusty, too.

That was enough for me.



* * *



A few hours later, I got a whole lecture about being smart, and safe, but it was later.

Matt was called in, and he got the lecture, too.

Kash asked to see Matt alone afterward, and I’m pretty sure he got another lecture. I asked him at one point how bad it had been and Matt just grunted. “Let’s just say I’m not taking my ass for granted right now.”

I couldn’t stop hearing what Kash said, though.

“I’ll never stop seeing you.”

I smiled.





THIRTY-TWO

Kash


Bailey was half back to herself, but not all the way back.

Watching her now, as she was working on some project with Cyclone, I saw the vulnerability. It was on her, just under the surface, and it was thin. She was still struggling, but damn, she was getting stronger. Better.

“You here to stay now?”

Matt brought over a beer for me, taking the bar stool next to me. We were in the basement, with the wall section open between the bowling lanes and the bar area. Seraphina, Peter, and Payton were playing a game of pool. Theresa was up in the kitchen and Marie was in her office. I knew this because both came and checked in with me, hugging me, glad I was back.

Was I here to stay?

I had to be honest. “If I have to go, I’ll go. But I’m back mostly because I’m scared what else you and Bailey are going to do.” I gave him a pointed look.

He grinned, then shrugged. “Stay and love your woman or leave and kill your grandfather. What a choice to make.” He gave me some side-eye. “But you’re not infringing on Team Batt. We can do Team Katt or you can do Team Kailey. There’s no Team Bakatt.”

Okay. My turn now.

I leaned toward him, getting in his space and not giving a damn who noted it. “What the fuck were you thinking? There was one time her phone could’ve been lifted. Who did it? My guys said Tony was there. I know he’s got a juvie record. And then the hotel stakeout?”

Bailey’s head lifted and turned our way.

I kept going at him. “If Quinn gets proof about who stole her phone? Who hacked it? If Payton tells her? She could fuck with Bailey’s life, and you know it. She already has.”

“Payton won’t tell.”

I grunted, easing back a bit. “You don’t have a clue what Payton will do or not do.”

“What?” He looked and stared hard at me. “You do? The great and knowing Kashton Colello? So, tell me, brother. Tell me what Payton will do to hurt my sister. Huh?” His voice rose and carried.

The whole room silenced.

Eyes turned our way.

I ignored Matt’s question for a second, finding the woman in question. My gaze fell on her and she blanched. Her hands trembled, so she stuffed them behind her.

“I don’t know, Matt.” I spoke to him, my eyes on her. “I actually have no clue what Payton will do, but I would hope—”

“Kash,” a low warning from Peter.

I ignored him, too, continuing, “—that since she’s been brought into the fold, that since Seraphina and Cyclone love her so much and are so happy she’s here, that she won’t do anything to hurt anyone they love.”

Payton closed her eyes, lowered her head. Her one hand came out, rested on the pool table, and then hit it. Her head came up. Her eyes opened and she had made a decision. “Like my own sister? What about her? She knows Calhoun. Did you forget that? ”

“So do you.”

Matt stiffened.

Peter swore under his breath.

Bailey was standing up, at a slow rate. Her head swung my way, then swung Payton’s way. “You do? You know Calhoun? I knew Quinn did, but … Who else knows Kash’s grandfather?”

“I—” The courage she had seconds ago looked like it was dwindling. She turned for Peter, but he was already shaking his head. She was on her own, and seeing that, Payton paled. “I would never do anything to harm Seraphina and Cyclone.” She looked hurt. “You know that, Kashton.”

She sounded hurt, too, but then she went on the offense. “Haven’t you been gone?”