Page 27 of Dali: The Demolisher

She wasn’t at home.

Dali found her at Kennessy’s apartment.

It took some convincing for Ken to even let Dali see her. Kas had an idea that he’d come looking for her and had given her key to his home to Ken. As he made his way out on Ken’s patio, his heart raced at what she would have to say. Though they were technically single, it still felt like her bursting in was like catching him cheating.

He sat next to her on the swinging bench, and she immediately tensed.

“I’m sorry. I should have called first or knocked. That won’t ever happen again.”

His chuckle was more out of anxiousness than amusement. Dali turned slightly to face her, but she kept looking forward.

“You have nothing to apologize for, Kas. I gave you that key to use at any time. I’m the one who’s sorry. I hate you had to see that—”

“It’s fine. You’re single. Fuck who you want.”

She brushed a tear away, and that made his own eyes water. “Are you… okay? Why’d you come over?”

Kassadee chuckled and shook her head. “It doesn’t matter anymore.”

“It matters to me.” When she didn’t respond, he sighed and sat back in his seat. “Kassadee…”

“It’s getting late.” Standing, she sniffled. “I’m gonna call it a night.”

“Hey,” he called, leaping to his feet and grabbing her wrist. Her head hung. “Why can’t you look at me?”

Kas’s tongue rolled over her cheek. “That hurt,” she whispered. His heart burned. “I know I have no right to feel a way but…” Chuckling, she pulled her wrist from his grasp. “Like I said, it’ll never happen again.”

Before he could formulate words, she was heading back inside. He didn’t think he could feel any worse, until Ken told him she’d called things off with her man to be with Dali.

14

Kassadee

Three Nights Later

Initially,I wanted to ignore Dali’s text. He texted me and told me to meet him atLashae’s Loungeat 7:00 p.m. Since it was the only day off I had for the week, I wanted to take full advantage of it by being pampered and not talking to people unless I absolutely had to. However, this was Dali Ingram, and I very rarely denied him of anything—except me it seemed.

Before getting out of my car, I looked at his text again.

The Demolisher: Lashae’s Lounge. 7pm. Come here.

Groaning, I exited the text thread and got out of my car. There was no point in me wondering what he wanted when I could just go inside and find out. I made my way through the dimly lit lounge. It wasn’t hard to spot Dali. He was in a burgundy booth in the back corner sipping from a glass of brown liquor. I couldn’t fight my smile even if I wanted to. Dali looked good even when he wasn’t trying.

He stood as I rounded the table and pulled me in for a warm hug, allowing the warmth of his woodsy scent to invade mynostrils. As I sat down, I smiled at the sight of wine and dessert flights already on the table.

“What are you up to?” I asked teasingly, making him chuckle.

“I can’t just want to spend time with you?”

“After avoiding me for a month? No.”

“I wanted to enjoy this with you before we talked but clearly you’re going to overanalyze this if we don’t go ahead and get this out the way.”

“I’m glad you know.”

Though we shared a laugh, his expression turned serious as he took my hand into his.

“I don’t chase anyone or anything, not even my liquor, but I will chase you, Kassadee. I just need to know you want to be caught.” He nibbled his cheek briefly, as if he was second guessing what he was about to say—which was odd. Dali was one of the most confident people I knew. Did I unnerve him? “I need to know that when I catch you, you’ll be okay with me keeping you forever.”

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