Page 117 of Just Between Us

A dimmed light hums above and Kai is sleeping in a blue suede armchair, his legs curled up to his chin and his breathing steady. Aleeta brought us both a change of clothes and he’s now comfortably in a pair of Levi’s grey sweats and a sweater.

I stand, leaning against the wall, watching them both. No matter how hard I try, I can’t fall asleep. It’s like I can’t take my eyes off them, worried something might happen as soon as I do. All sorts of horrifying scenarios play in my head when I close my eyes.

If Kai hadn’t found Levi in time.

If Kenny had hurt Kai tonight.

If I had stayed another night in New York.

If. If. If.

I’m not sure what I would have done but it’s terrifying how much I care about them, how much I want to destroy the world because someone dared to hurt them.

Ultimately, there was some truth to Doctor Phillipe’s reports. A part of me does get off on my ownership of them. The thought that I could wake Kai up now and tell him to crawl to me and he’d do it. The thought that I can stop all the bad thoughts Levi has just by kissing him. It’s addictive.

I like the cutting, the choking, the bruising, and the reality is I would probably enjoy cutting them both open just to see what’s inside, just like I carved that rabbit up. Yet, there’s an inverse to it because they control me too. I don’t think there is anything I could deny them and that outweighs any urges I have.

The police came by earlier to ask Kai a few questions, but they can’t arrest Adam before they get an official statement from Levi. Right now, they can’t confirm what happened especially if Adam denies it all.

But Adam Roth comes from an aristocratic background and if he gets arrested, his family has enough sway to sweep this under the rug and get him a simple slap on the wrist. A few weeks of community service is too good for someone like him, I need to find him myself and make him regret every choice he’s made.

A soft knock sounds at the door before Daniel steps in. He looks as exhausted as I feel but I know he’s as desperate to find Adam as I am.

“We found him,” he says, eyes on Levi on the bed. “He just got back to his flat. I have a few guys there already making sure he doesn’t go anywhere.”

My eyes fall on Kai and Levi again. I don’t want to leave either of them, but I don’t think I can relax until Adam is taken care of. After him, I’ll handle Kenny.

“Give me a second?” I ask Daniel.

He nods and quietly shuts the door behind him. I walk up to the bed, planting a kiss on Levi’s forehead before moving to Kai. He stirs slightly, eyes fluttering to look at me.

“Go back to sleep, princess.”

He frowns, blinking up at me. “No, where are you going?” he whines and I can’t help my laugh, kissing him again.

“Just need to take care of something quickly. I’ll be here when you wake up. Promise.”

He pouts slightly but his eyes are heavy with sleep. He nods, tucking his knees under his chin again and drifting off.

Adam is seated on a chair in the middle of his living room. It’s still dark outside, the neighbourhood completely silent. I look around, the stench of cigarettes hangs in the air, and I spot a few classic records next to the T.V. stand and knock-off Andy Warhol prints on the wall above.

I watch Adam’s eyes widen as I step into view behind Daniel. Three of Daniel’s men stand around the living room that overlooks a sleepy street, only tonight, the curtains are drawn, the only light emanating from a tall mid-century style lamp in the corner of the room.

Adam looks unharmed, dressed in a polo shirt and jeans but a few strands of brown hair are matted to his forehead, and his eyes wild like a starving caged animal.

“Cole?” he says my name like a question, clearly bewildered.

I smile. “Hey, Adam. It’s been a while.”

His eyes fall on Daniel, who is leaning against the wall behind me, then at the other men before he looks back at me. “What are you doing here? Who are they?”

I shrug. “Guess.”

He makes a move to stand from his armchair, but a hand clamps over his shoulder, forcing him back down. He glares at the burly man who looks down at him blankly.

“What is this? Why are you in my house? Tell your friends to get the hell out.”

I hate that he doesn’t realise what’s going on here. He looks like a little prince, simply inconvenienced by my presence. I want him terrified.

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