Page 52 of Hate Me

“Couldn’t believe it when I picked you up on the cameras. I mean, I heard you were back, but coming here was a definite surprise. Besides, I figured you’d be with the boys your first night back.”

“Yeah, well.”

“Huh, I see. King is being his dickish self and driving home an aggravating point by banning you from his property, right?”

“It’s not your concern.”

“No? Then how come you’re here?” He leaned closer. “In my domain, babe?”

I shoved him back and he laughed. “God, I’ve missed this push and pull game of ours. It’s been a real bore without you around lightening shit up.”

“Why are you back here, D?”

“Why do you think? His Majesty finally deemed it acceptable.”

I shook my head. “No. I know Cas. There’s more to it.”

“You think so?” he asked with a coy grin.

“I’m certain of it.”

“Hmm, maybe you’re right.”

There it was. “Tell me.”

He wagged his finger. “Uh uh, not so fast.” He looked me up and down in my gray jeans and white t-shirt, my aviator jacket over the top. “You’re dressed the same. Coming back to your old self in that way.” His gaze flicked to my overgrown blond hair, the thick stubble lining my jaw. “But in others, you’re different. More rugged. Harder. Tougher. Haunted. And sexier than fucking ever, Cal.” He startled me as he laid his hand over the top of mine on the bar. “How about you stay with me tonight in my new penthouse?” As I went to pull away instinctively, he held on tight. “And I’ll tell you everything you want to know about the deal King made me.”

I brought my free hand down on top of his, digging my nails into his palm, making him hiss.

“Fuck, yeah. Give me more, babe.”

Son of a bitch. Of course he’d gotten off on that. It had been too long since I’d been around him, any of this, I guess I was a little rusty with it all. “Tell me something first, or nothing else is on the table. Something real, D.”

He leaned in close, his voice barely above a whisper as he told me, “King didn’t just leave me alone and merely have his people watch me while I was away. He also had me nurture a certain connection of mine.”

“He’s using you as an asset?”

He pulled back and winked. “Correct.”

“To what end? Who is this connection of yours?”

“No dice. I’ve given that in good faith as you asked. The rest comes later when you do your part.”

“Define my part.”

“Like I said, crash at my place, spend some time with me.”

“We’re not fucking.”

“You really think that’s all I’m about?”

“I know you.”

“No. You knew me. Things have changed, just like they have for you.”

“Damien.”

“Fine.” He dragged his hand from mine, then rubbed his clean shaven jaw. “It’s been lonely, all right? King hates me, I can’t go near my brother, my mom isn’t my greatest fan either at the moment because of King’s threats to her livelihood over what I did that’s kept me away from the Thorn estate. And you and me, we were friends at one point. I figured maybe for one night while you’re back here and still estranged from them, we could hang.”

---