Page 102 of Just Between Us

“Adam?” he frowns.

I nod. “But I don’t really believe it’s him either, to be honest. Too up his arse to do something so messy.”

Kai bites his bottom lip, and I can tell he wants to say something but before he can, Cole surfaces from his shower. He wraps his arms around Kai’s waist, pulling him in.

“Thought you weren’t coming tonight,” Cole says against Kai’s mouth.

His smile is watery. “Yeah, just wanted to make sure you’re both okay.”

As I watch them, I hold on to the feeling I have growing inside me. I recognise it like the back of my hand and something is terrifying about it. I fell in love with Cole so quickly and completely but in moments like this, I realise I’ve fallen for Kai, slowly, but completely.

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Kai

The twins are back home from university for the summer and whilst it’s still pissing rain outside, it’s nice to see them home, like their presence makes everything ten times better. Tonight, they are over at Jenna and I’s flat, and we sit with two boxes of half-eaten pizza on the floor and the final scene of The Proposal playing out on the TV.

I’ve barely been able to pay attention to the movie. I’ve barely been able to pay attention to many things in the last two weeks. Kenny’s threat still hangs over my head like a noose, his menacing voice gripping me tight whenever I close my eyes.

He hasn’t called or messaged since Monaco, but I know he’s somewhere, waiting for the money he demanded. I still have no idea what to do. I have some money saved up, but it won’t be nearly enough.

I’ve considered telling the police, but I can’t predict what he’d do if I did. I can’t put the twins or my mother in danger and now that he knows about Cole and Levi, I can’t afford to make the wrong move.

Guilt eats at me as the credits come on. We still don’t know who keyed Levi’s car. The security footage only showed a hooded figure with a surgical mask on. He had a solid build but there were no other defining traits to him.

It wasn’t Adam either. He told the police he was at a private tennis club and a few people confirmed his whereabouts as well.

There have been a few reported similar incidents around the city according to the police so maybe it has something to do with that or it was just someone having a bad day.

And yet, something in the back of my mind tells me it could have been Kenny. He’s been watching me which automatically means he’s seen Levi and Cole too.

If it was him—my stepfather…

I know I’d lose them, and I can’t risk that. I need to come up with that money, one way or another.

A few days ago, Cole handed me a black American Express card like it was a bottle of water.

I frowned, looking down at it. “Cole, what is this for?”

“A credit card is usually used to purchase goods,” he said, looking particularly happy with himself. I was almost distracted by how cute he looked, like a kid who successfully swiped a few sweets from the kitchen counter.

“I know what it does,” I said, glaring at him. “But why are you giving it to me?”

“Levi has one of mine.” He shrugged. “You should too.”

“I’m not taking this.”

“Kai,” he said, voice level.

I shook my head. “I know what you’re doing. I know you’re using that voice on me and usually it would work but no.”

His mouth quirked to the side in a half smile as he inched closer to me. “Do you think you can say no to me, princess?”

Princess.

That name shouldn’t have the effect it does on me. I’ve always been comfortable with my masculinity but Cole calling me princess always makes me disturbingly pliable. More pliable than I usually am around them. I don’t want to think about what that really means for my kinks.

“Fine,” I said after a second because he wasn’t going to change his mind. “But I won’t use it.”

“I really don’t care what you do with it, baby,” he whispered before leaning in and planting a quick kiss on my mouth. “It’s yours.”

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