Page 52 of Riot

“Oh, you met her. That’s Ice.” Kage grins as he heads my way and hands me a mug. “I’m glad you’re back.” He leans in and kisses me, and I get distracted for a moment.

“You got a cat?” I eventually ask after much staring.

“We got a cat.” He grins. “Our first child together.”

I don’t even know what to say to that. “Why a cat?”

“It reminded me of you, and when I’m not here to cuddle you to sleep, you still have our baby.” He drapes his arm around my shoulders, and with his other, he reaches down and picks up the cat, dropping a kiss on its head. “Let’s get your mommy some food. She had a busy day.”

What is it about a hot man and a cat that makes me weak?

I let them lead me to the kitchen, where he pushes me into a chair and places Ice on my lap before moving to the fridge. I’m helpless to do anything but cuddle the purring machine as he cooks for me.

After eating, I know I should go home, but I let him lead me up to his bedroom where clothes are already waiting for me. I shower, dress, and slip into bed and his arms with ease, like it’s normal. Ice curls up between our legs, purring happily as Kage turns on the TV.

How many nights did I sit alone, listening to my husband snore after I got back late?

How many nights did I wish he would turn over and hold me?

Here is Kage, someone I’m not even dating, and he’s doing everything he can to look after me, to make me happy and comfortable, and it’s driving me wild. All those worries and desires flee, however, as the news replays an interview. I stop Kage from switching the channel as I sit up, shock filling me.

On the screen, calling from his home, is Yuri, Terrie’s husband and my father’s bandmate. “I think Fallon’s comments were coming from a place of love, but they are from a naïve child. She was young when her father died. She doesn’t know much about his life since we protected her from a lot of it. He would be disappointed in her and her response to this docuseries. I don’t want to discredit her pain or relationship with her father, since we all know she had a bad year after her husband cheated on her, but I feel like she is taking her anger out on us and his legacy, and that’s distressing. I wish her nothing but the best, and I hope she can support us.”

Kage turns off the TV, but I stare at the darkened screen in horror and growing anger. “He basically called me an emotional bitch.” I laugh, startling Ice. “I knew they would fight back, but I guess I didn’t expect it so soon.”

“They are just trying to protect themselves. They are scared,” he murmurs. “It was a threat.”

“I know. He’s trying to silence me, just like he did back then.” I look at him. “It won’t work. I won’t let them win.”

“I know, sweetheart.” Wrapping his arms around me, he slides us down the bed. “Ignore him, ignore them all. The only person who matters is you. They can’t touch you. I’ll make sure of it.”

Nodding, I move closer, breathing in his calming scent. I knew they wouldn’t lie down and accept it, but it seems the games are starting early. They will all underestimate me. I might have taken it easy on some of them, but now I won’t.

Not anymore.

The game is on.

I fall asleep in Kage’s arms, letting him comfort me, all while revenge fills my heart.

TWENTY-FIVE

I’m furious. No, furious isn’t even the word.

The deadly fury within me can’t be contained in one word.

Sliding from bed, I pick up Ice and put her into Fallon’s arms. “Keep her safe while I’m gone, okay? I’ll be back soon.” I softly kiss both of their heads before I move to the closet and get dressed. Each movement is swift and filled with the anger that chases me from the house to my car. Sliding into my Aston Martin DB 11, I shoot off a text and get a response within minutes.

Firing up the engine, I pull out onto the streets.

I might be a rock star now, but I grew up on the streets, fighting to survive, and nobody, I mean nobody, threatens my girl.

The city is busy despite the hour, so it takes me almost an hour to get to the address. I park down the road and kill the engine. Sliding my cap down just in case, I tug my mask up and walk toward the big house at the corner. It screams money, but the closer I get, the more I notice how run-down it is. Hell, the security cameras don’t even work, so I shouldn’t have worried.

Hopping the wall and fence is easy, and I head to the back sliding doors, breaking off the handle, then I slide them open and head inside. There’s no noise or movement, and everything is dark. I step through the wide kitchen and toward the hall. Framed photos hang there, as well as albums and records. I smirk as I take the stairs two at a time. At the top, it breaks off left and right, and I tilt my head, listening. The slight snores to the left make up my mind, and I head that way to wide double doors at the end that are slightly open. After peering inside, I creep over the carpeted floor to the king-sized bed dominating the room. The blinds are open, letting in enough light for me to see the figures under the quilt.

I recognized the orange hair as Terrie, and the man from the TV, Yuri, is snoring at her side, his naked ass out of the blanket. Pulling my knife from my side, I tap his ass. His snoring pauses before resuming, so I head around the bed to try something new. I press the knife to Terrie’s throat. Her eyes snap open, confused and half asleep, as she tries to sit up before hissing in pain. Fear fills her gaze when she spies me above her and realizes what’s happening.

I don’t want to take Fallon’s power or revenge away from her, but I won’t let anyone threaten her. I won’t let this man hurt her again. If I didn’t love her so much, I would kill him now for what he did to her, but I know it’s important for her to deal with this her way. However, a little threat might make her case stronger and stop him from coming after her so intensely.

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