Page 37 of King of Wrath

He kisses that spot just under my ear. “Earlier, you said that Toni wasn’t your father.”

I stiffen. Shit. Did I share that?

I was so hot in the moment. I knew I shouldn’t play this game. He’s got so much more experience than me and I am clearly losing if I’m sharing details like that.

“I just meant…”

“Considering your mother and my brother had an affair?—”

I gasp, turning toward him. “What?”

His mouth thins. “They had an affair. It’s what got him killed.”

My eyes blink several times. Toni killed his brother? Is that why I’m here? Jake said it was because Toni was attacking their women, but these things always have a beginning.

I’ve paid attention long enough to know that. Nearly every aggressive act I’ve witnessed is the tenth, eleventh, twelfth in a long line of acts that have created deep wounds.

I swallow down a lump. “Your brother was killed?”

“Gunned down in the street. His son Leo was with him. It was Leo who held him as he bled out.”

I don’t really know Leonard Kincaid, I’ve only seen him from afar a few times. “I’m sorry for Leo,” I say, but emotion is clogging my throat. Because I know all about watching someone you love die.

But that memory is the reminder of where placing your faith in the wrong man can take a woman.

So I push my sympathy back down, drawing several deep breaths. It’s like I pick up the pieces of a suit of armor and slowly, I put each piece back on, hardening myself, putting my feelings away.

He studies my face, his head cocking to the side. “No one should have to watch that kind of shit.”

“No, they shouldn’t.” I push away from the wall I’ve been leaning against, shuffling around him to get out of the shower. I don’t want to be this close to him anymore. My insides are turning dead again, my emotions closing like turning off a faucet.

But his hand shoots out, grabbing my waist. I shrink away, a gut reaction. I’ve gone into full duck-and-cover mode.

“Hey,” he whispers, his hand softening but not letting go. “What’s going on?”

“I want to get out of the shower,” I huff out, my voice tight. “I need some space…I…”

“I’m not going to hurt you.” His fingers gently brush my skin. “I promise. Protect. Help. Satisfy. Apply those words to me.”

It’s very tempting, but so dangerous.

“Enemy,” I return. “Make sure to add that one.”

His jaw goes granite-hard. “I am your father’s enemy, but I am not yours.”

“You took me, Jake. Like the pawn that I am.” And then I twist away. He lets me go this time and I step out of the shower, wrapping myself in one of the towels.

Tears prick at my eyes as I wrap my arms tighter about myself. I’m not even sure what just happened. Why I suddenly feel so vulnerable. Unsafe.

“You’re not a pawn, sweetheart. I took you off the board. You get to go be whatever you want. Stay here, be my wife. Go and start a whole new life.”

My shoulders deflate and one of the tears I’d felt pricking at the back of my eyes slips down my cheek. He sees it and wipes the little bit of water away with the pad of his thumb.

If there is one thing I’ve felt with Jake, it’s been cared for. I’m not sure what changed in the shower, but the gentle touch reminds me ofwhy I grew comfortable in the first place. But it also helps me focus on the moment. I lost that feeling. “What’s with all the questions about my mother? About Toni?”

His head cocks to one side. “Your mother. My brother. While I like you calling me Daddy, I’d be less fond of uncle.”

My eyes go wide, and I gasp in a breath. Because. Yeah. That’s a really valid reason to be asking about my mother.

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