Page 5 of His Dark Hunger

“Because of me?” He frowned. “You couldn’t afford to help me and pay the rent, could you?”

“That’s irrelevant.” She wanted to hug him again, but he backed away when she tried to close the distance between them. “I said I’d get the money for you, and I did.”

“Mum!” He rubbed his temple. “If you’d told me you’d be homeless, I’d never have taken the program.”

“But you did.” She tugged at his hand until he allowed her to grip his palm. “And I don’t regret anything I did. This new job gives me a great place to live, and you can stay there, too.”

“You’re sure?” To say he seemed unconvinced was an understatement.

“I’ve checked, and it’s fine,” she assured him. “You can stay there and continue studying virtually.”

“And after the trial?” he probed. “What happens to you, then?”

“I have a feeling I’ll stay beyond the trial.” She’d have to now that she’d given the judge Kyle’s address for Jonah. “It’ll be okay.”

“Mrs. Kendal?” Stevens stepped forward behind her son. “Are you ready to return to Brock Hall?”

“Yes.” She met Stevens’ stare pointedly, half expecting the flicker of judgment in his gaze. She didn’t like the driver much, but just like her, he was on Kyle’s payroll. “Thank you.”

“Brock Hall?” Jonah’s attention flitted between her and the stranger in the uniform.

It was strange to hear the name of Kyle’s property bandied around, but itwasthe place she currently called home.

“Yes.” She squeezed Jonah’s fingers. “That’s where you’ll be staying.”

Chapter Two

Tenancy

Kyle

Years before Amy

Aspen Way was exactly how Kyle had envisioned it. A slice of the suburban dream filled with large semi-detached houses with separate garages and white picket-fenced gardens. Peering out of the window of the car, he took in the picture of middle-class perfection. The residents there were likely on average incomes. They’d chosen the area because of the nearby good schools and local parks.

He was sure they could stretch to the small rent increase he was there to implement, but he’d do his best to sell it to them in the only way he knew how—with a warm smile and a firm handshake. They’d be reasonable people who sought the security of another twelve-month tenancy while they considered buying. He’d feign sympathy while he listened to their predictable woes, then they’d sign the new contracts. Unless they wanted to move, they’d have no other option. He owned ten of the twelve properties in the cul-de-sac now, so he decided the price of the rent.

“This is fine, thanks.” He gestured to the driver, Stevens.

The guy was young, but so far, he seemed reliable. He’d upgrade the car Stevens drove just as soon as he finalized the rent increases.

“You have around an hour before I’ll need picking up.” It might take longer, but Stevens could wait. “I’ll call you if I need anything else.”

“Very good, sir.” Stevens brought the car to a halt outside the first house. “See you then.”

Climbing out of the car, Kyle’s gaze ran along the row of conventional houses. He didn’t have to waste an hour of his life explaining his reasoning for the increases. He could have just sent a letter to each tenant detailing the new terms, but Kyle preferred a more personal touch. That was just the kind of guy he was. He’d rather look people in the face when he had something to tell them, size them up, and see who they really were.

There was no trepidation as he opened the first gate and strode toward the front door. It was going to be a breeze.

***

Raising his fist to the green door, Kyle knocked three times. The property housed the penultimate resident he needed to speak with, and so far, things had been relatively straightforward. No one had been exactly ecstatic at his proposal, but it seemed no one wanted to refuse to sign the contract and move. Eight residents had scrawled their names on the line with little fuss. Whoever answered next would be number nine.

“Yes?” The weary-looking man cast a glance over Kyle. “Can I help you?”

Putting down the briefcase harboring the signed contracts, Kyle thrust his hand in the man’s direction. “Good morning. I’m Mr. Kyle. Your new landlord.”

“Oh.” The resident’s expression morphed from something akin to disdain to concern. “Hello.”

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