Page 63 of Untouchable

“CONFESSIONS”

Idon’t know if I should be concerned by the amount of adrenaline I am feeling after kneeing some random guy in the crotch and then breaking at least part of his hand, but I’m definitely riding some kind of high right now. I’m trying not to let myself get confused by the feelings I have over Ace practically giving his stamp of approval on the act and then putting his arm around me. Because I meant what I said about leaving him alone the other night. As much as I hate it, I understand him wanting to keep his loyalty to my father in a way that means he doesn’t involve himself with me. Even if it hurt to be turned down by him after getting such mixed signals from him during our trip out here. I guess those mixed signals are finally cleared up, I just don’t like the end result. I know I’ll get over it—get overhim—it’s just going to take some time.

And him not putting his arm around me.

Or looking at me.

Or talking to me.

It’s going to take me going home and being able to avoid him, I guess.

“Kitty Kat, you’re a badass, and probably my hero,” Bodine says, as he plants his ass on his bike and fastens his helmetbeneath his chin. I laugh and shake my head, but before I can grab my helmet, Ace grabs it and puts it on me.

He’s also going to have to stop doingthat.

“Mine too.” My heart skips a beat but I try to play it cool.

“High praise coming from some of the toughest guys I know.”

“You think I’m tough?” Mikey coos, and even though I can’t turn my head, I cut my eyes to the right where I know he’s behind me.

“Oh, Mikey, I forgot you were here.” Bodine snorts and I hear Mikey’s hand slap his leather jacket. I smile and look up to see a smirk on Ace’s face.

“Definitely my hero.” I hate that I can feel my cheeks heat at his words and have to remind myself that it doesn’t change anything.

We pull back up to the cabin and as soon as my feet are on the ground I feel my phone ringing. When I look down to see that it’s Tabitha I immediately smile.

“Hey!”

Tabitha’s voice is solemn. “Hey, Kitten, I have something to tell you, but I don’t want you to freak out.” My excitement quickly fades into fear, and the guys seem to pick up on the shift.

“Someone broke into our place.” The blood completely drains from my face.

“Oh my god! Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I wasn’t home when it happened, but it looks like they tried coming in through your window.”

And now I want to throw up.

“Do you want me to come back?” All of the guys have deep frowns on their faces when I look at them, but they’ll have to get over it. If she says yes, we’ll leave tonight.

“Don’t you dare! I’m fine, Kat. I promise. I just wanted to tell you so you wouldn’t be mad at me for keeping it from you. I called your dad when it happened, I don’t know why but it justfelt like the right thing to do. He came over and stayed with me while the police checked everything and offered to let me stay in your old room tonight.”

I feel the tiniest sliver of relief settle into my chest. “Okay, good.”

“Enjoy your trip and don’t you dare worry about me. I’ll be okay.”

“I’m still going to worry because I love you.”

Her giggle makes me smile. “That’s fair. I love you, too.” I hang up the phone, and even though I thought I was doing well, all the emotion I was hiding from her comes rushing back to the surface when the guys voice their concerns.

“What’s wrong?” Bodine asks.

“Is everything okay?” Mikey adds, crossing his arms as they look at me. I try to take a deep breath, counting to five before exhaling to try and steady myself. Then one simple word completely crumbles me.

“Katarina?” The raw concern in his tone makes my lip begin to quiver and my blurry eyes turn towards him.

“Someone broke into our apartment.” I close my eyes, letting the tears fall as I remind myself that she’s okay. That she’s staying with my dad and she isn’t hurt.

---