Page 231 of Kiss the Villain

I’ve always been friends with Jer and Niko. Maya and Mia, too. Vaughn as well, but I’ve kept them all at arm’s length, never allowing any of them to get too close or see inside me.

But talking to V anonymously allowed me freedom and a sense of companionship and friendship I didn’t know I needed.

I was always a loner anyway. Even in a group, I was alone. Even when laughing and talking and being surrounded by people, my outer layer kept me in a bubble. One that Kayden snuck into, and I want to keep him there.

In my bubble.

Not outside or on an operating table or bleeding out.

But V is actually the first person whose friendship I appreciate. The one who listened to me bitch the entire time and kind of did the same about Yulian.

“Fuck, man.” He releases a long breath. “What can I do?”

“I already called Aunt Rai, but I want to double my efforts. Kayden…” My voice chokes on his name and I exhale slowly. “That’s his name. Kayden. He’s become a target of this stupid-ass organization because of me. Because he’s with…me. And I want to kill his brother and all of them, but Simone and Jethro tell me that would be hard and I’d become a target and so would Kayden if he…”survives.

Ican’tsay it.

The words taste like acid, burning my throat and boiling in my veins.

“He will.” Vaughn’s voice comes out calm and steady. “From what you told me, he’d never leave you, right?”

“I want to think he wouldn’t, but he…he went into the bullet’s path to protect me. He didn’t think about it, he…he ran straight toward death like a fucking idiot.”

“I don’t think he wanted to die per se. He just didn’t wantyouto die.” He pauses. “He’s a keeper, G. I like you much better when you’re with him.”

“Hey, does that mean you never liked me before?”

“You were always just fucking shit up while you were being a golden boy. Now, you’re all right, I guess.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“Anytime, my bro.”

“Will you talk to your dad about protection?”

“I’ll make it happen.” His voice softens—as much softening as V is capable of. “I’ve got your back, man. Always.”

“Thanks. And, V?”

“Yeah?”

“You deserve better.”

He blows out a breath. “I know.”

“I’m always here. Until you figure your shit out.”

“Thanks, G.”

I’m about to insist on him talking to his dad when I see Simone hobbling toward me on a crutch, Jethro supporting her.

If it weren’t for Simone, I would’ve probably died. She called the police, so Grant and his men fucked off from the scene as soon as they heard sirens.

And Jethro, well, I don’t like him that much because he tried to stop me when I decided to go back.

If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have left Kayden, and he wouldn’t be in this predicament right now.

But I have no right to blame him when Kayden took that shot for me.

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