Page 53 of I Should Hate You-but I Don't

He raised his gaze at River. Going by the muffled struggle in the background, his brother had someone with him. "What's going on?"

"Kenna won't go anywhere without seeing her sister first."

"Tell her she can come here."

"Tried. She doesn't trust me."

"Why the hell not?"

"Long story."Kingsley groaned."The faster you get here, the better."

"Put her on the phone." If he could get Kenna to talk to River, prove that she was here, Kingsley could bring her to Gem Haven.

"She can't exactly talk right now."

"Jesus." He rubbed the back of his neck. "It'll be a couple hours before I can get there."

"Bring the truck. Make sure the tie-downs and ramp are in the back. I'll have to send my Harley with you."

"Got it. And Kingsley?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't fucking lose her." He disconnected the call.

River's face paled, watching and listening to the one-sided conversation. He slid out of the booth and into the other side, trapping her while protecting her from gawkers in the bar.

"We're going to need to leave." He palmed the back of her neck. "Do you want to get a container and take the rest of your food with us?"

She shook her head. "Did he get Kenna?"

The vulnerability shining in her eyes ripped him apart. All she'd ever wanted was her sister back in her life.

"Yeah, sweetheart. He has her."

Chapter Twenty Three

River

—Nine months ago—

––––––––

Zane stopped at the bedroom door and looked over his shoulder at her. River kneeled on the bed, frantically searching for her shirt.

"What do you mean, we can't do this anymore?" She snatched her t-shirt up. "What's wrong with me?"

His shoulders dropped, and he faced her. "There's nothing—"

"Then tell me the truth." She scrambled off the bed, yanking her shirt on to cover her naked body. "What's stopping you from loving me outside this bedroom?"

"It's not that simple." He raked his hands in his hair. "We shouldn't even be—"

"Stop." She fisted her hands. "You keep saying that.We shouldn't have sex. You shouldn't touch me. I shouldn't touch you.Who's making the rules? You act like you're married or have a girlfriend somewhere else, and I'm one of your secrets. O-Or it's embarrassing to be seen with me. Do you know how that makes me feel?"

"You know how I feel about you." He exhaled loudly, striding across the room to grab her wrists and pull her hands to his chest. "You're the most important person in my life. Don't I show you that when I'm with you?"

She swallowed hard. "You do...until you walk away from me, or you tell me we can't have sex again."

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