Page 46 of Burning Bridges

I clutch my hands together under the table, trying to hide the tremble of my fingers. Not many things rattle me, but this does. I never expected to see this man again. I feel like all the air in the restaurant has been sucked out of the place, and I’m going to suffocate. Yet he sits across from me like this situation is normal. His pale blue eyes watch me like a hawk, taking in every detail of my face. I’m sure he can see it. The fear he brings out in me. He probably gets off on it, others' fear.

He crosses his arms, one over the other, as he relaxes back in his chair. His leather jacket bunches up, looking like it might bust open from the bulge of his oversized muscles. He’s not a delinquent kid anymore, he’s a hulk-sized man, with a buzz cut and more ink than a school supply closet. “W-what are you doing here?” I stutter, trying to piece together how it’s even possible.

His brow knits together like he is confused by my ignorance. He strokes a hand over his stubble, now more salt-and-pepper in color. “Didn’t Ace tell you? He thinks it’s time we put the past behind us and start working together. Acevedos and Kings, just imagine how powerful we will be.” He smirks like the psychopath he is.

“Put the past behind us?” I whisper, hardly able to push the words past my lips. There is no living hell where that would be possible, and Tony knows that.

“Yes. It’s funny, isn’t it, how much has changed since I was last in town. You find yourself on the bottom of the pecking order. And your brother has reached out to me for assistance. I just took over the Kings.”

I try not to show the devastation on my face, but if what he's saying is true, he’s now one of the most powerful men in Palm Desert, and Tony must be planning on joining forces with them to take over Palm Springs. The thought is nauseating, and I have no idea how I didn’t know Kylo was still around. The last I heard, the Kings were run by his father, Cory, but now the message from them with the photos of Gator's corpse makes more sense. That is exactly what this psychopath would do. He probably thinks he’s a hero. Is that what this is, am I supposed to be grateful to him for killing the man who sold my mother the drugs that killed her?

“You're very quiet, little princess. I bet you're wondering why you had no idea about any of this. I thought Ace would have clued you in, but since he didn’t, I’m happy to catch you up to speed. You see, your brother came to see me in prison, and we struck up a deal right before he disappeared, plotting our revenge on those unfortunate souls who wronged us. Last night, our crew took over the Kings for good, and now it’s time to get the Acevedos back on top here.”

“You’re saying you killed your own father?” I grit out, trying to understand what he's telling me. But I know his father would never just give up the title to him, so for Kylo to be here claiming he’s on top, Cory has to be dead.

“I prefer to think of it asretiredhim. He was stale and losing control. I have just secured the family name, much like your brother did when it was time to take his place at the top.” His face is expressionless as he says it, and I’m not surprised. There is no heart inside this man. He is a cold, hard killer, taking what he wants from life. And Tony killing my father—well, I had always assumed that’s what Tony did that night, but as usual, no one clued me in and actually admitted that was what happened. Is this Kylo's way of showing me he and Tony are close enough to share each other's secrets? Because it sure seems that way. If Tony didn’t tell me, I would be surprised he told anyone else.

I glance over at Leo. He’s now back at his table and watching us with a death stare. He thinks the worst of me, I can already tell. I wish I could tell him what’s going on, how much trouble I’m in. It’s the last thing I want to do, be reliant on another man, but I know if I stay here with Kylo King and whatever plan he and my brother have for me, I will end up dead or killing him myself. He’s the lowest of the low, the scum of the earth, and if my brother really thinks he can work with him, I’m out.

“Aren’t you worried talking about this here? With them around.” I motion to Leo’s table.

Kylo smirks and offers Leo a wave. He thinks this is a joke.

The waiter joins us, looking uncomfortable, and he should. “What can I get for you?” he asks, seeming even more twitchy than he was when I turned up here.

I take this as my chance to get the fuck away from Kylo. “I need to use the restroom. Order for me,” I tell Kylo with the best smile I can muster. I take my purse with me and move quickly across the room, hoping the look on my face says it all to Leo. Surely, he must know me having a meal with the likes of Kylo is out of character for me. I told him myself that I hate the guy. My heart sinks. He probably thinks I’m in on it. He must, or else he would have already come over to save me. Wouldn’t he?

The bathrooms are just up the hall from the back door. I walk straight past them and then make a run for the fire exit, pushing open the door to the parking lot behind the building. The cool air hits my bare arms and face, sending a chill over my skin, but right now, I don’t care about the cold. I suck it into my lungs in deep breaths, feeling like I can finally breathe again. I don’t know what to do. I can’t go back home, not now. Not knowing this is Tony'sfriend. I’m just going to have to get in my car and work it out as I drive.

Before I have a chance to work out my next move, Kylo is out the door, glaring daggers at me. “That wasn’t very smart, Piper.” He stalks toward me, and I back away from him, connecting with the solid back wall of the of the restaurant with a thud.

“Don’t come any closer,” I warn him. I have my pistol in my bag, and I will use it on him this time.

“Here you go again, making things more complicated than they need to be. I thought you would have learned last time. If you struggle, I only enjoy it more.” He takes another step toward me, pinning me between him and the wall. My eyes glaze over, his face becoming blurry and distorted. My panicked brain struggles to process this man standing in front of me. My mind flashes through images of last time he was this close to me, and my chest grows unbearably tight, making me feel like I can’t breathe. I can’t force my fingers to reach into my bag and grab the gun.

“Go on, scream, let your boy toy inside come to your rescue. If he even cares.” He smirks like he knows he doesn’t.

I wish I could, but I’m paralyzed. My body is so riddled with fear I can’t move my mouth. The way he smirks at me, it makes me feel like I’m going to be sick. This wasn’t about meeting me to call a truce; he wanted to make a scene. He must have known Leo would be here, and I’m just a pawn in their fight. Used again by another family member to help him get something he wants. I’m so hurt. I trusted Tony, and he has just put me in a complete nightmare of a situation for his own gain. If I wasn’t done with all this before tonight, this has sealed the deal. My father’s words play through my head—family comes before anything else. But Tony is no family of mine if he could put me in such a situation.

Kylo presses his body against mine. “What do you say we skip the meal and make up for lost time.” He licks his lips, and I feel bile rise in my throat.

Do something, I beg myself to move. A whimpered cry leaves my lips, but I stay deadly still.

His body cages me in, trapping me beneath his large frame.

“Get your fucking hands off her.” I hear Leo’s voice from behind Kylo. It’s filled with a promise of what will happen if he doesn’t.

I whimper. I almost can’t believe he came to my rescue.

Kylo takes a step away from me, holding up his hands dramatically. “Don’t go throwing your threats around, Rivera. You can relax. I was just having a friendly chat with my date.”

“I’m not your date,” I push out through clenched teeth, finally finding my words knowing Leo is here to back me up. Now that Kylo is out of my way, I can see it’s not just Leo who followed me out back but his other dinner guests as well. Amelia looks at me with a hint of sympathy, but I don’t need her pity, nor do I want it.

“What are you doing in Palm Springs?” Kobe growls in Kylo’s direction. “You know what happens to Kings that don't follow rules.

“Those rules you're referring to were between my father and Anton Acevedo. Since both men are now deceased, I would say they are null and void.” He grabs my waist, trying to pull me into him. “Besides, how could I resist such a beauty when she invited me to dinner. We’re old friends you know, Rivera,” he taunts Leo.

I squirm out of his grip and notice Leo reach for his gun.

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