Page 73 of Risk

It’s clear how much he loved Henry in the way his voice softens when talking about him. I just hate how many people Kaden has lost in his life.

He runs his hand over his mouth. “But even though he taught me to channel and control my anger, it’s still inside of me, Missy. I still have my father’s genetics. And with the brain injury—”

“I’m going to stop you right there. I know what you’re going to say, but that is not you.”

“You don’t know me. Not really.”

It’s my turn to get to my feet. “Fuck you for saying that. And fuck you for insinuating that my brother—your best friend—would allow me to move in here if he, in any way, thought you’d be a danger to me or our babies.” My hand instantly presses against my stomach.

“Zeus wouldn’t think that because he sees the best in people.”

I scoff, knowing for a fact that is the biggest load of bullshit I’ve ever heard. I love my brother, but seeing the best in people and giving the benefit of the doubt are not his strengths.

“Fine. He sees the best in me.”

“He sees the truth in you. He sees the real you. And honestly, I’m surprised you’re trying to pull this kind of crap with me. You’re reiterating textbook statements to me.”

His face darkens. “I’m not one of your fucking textbook cases.” His words are quiet, but the anger lacing them is not.

“I know.” I sigh, frustrated, completely knocked off my game here. “I’m just saying, your thoughts and responses are normal for someone who’s experienced and been through what you have.”

I let the air settle between us for a long moment before I speak again. “I know you have headaches from the brain injury, but have there been any signs of anger outbursts? Aside from the normal anger a person feels.”

“I’ve never felt anger like a normal person does.”

God, he’s hard work when he’s like this.

“And I no longer fight anymore, so I have no outlet for it.”

He’s trying to scare me here, and I’m not sure exactly why.

“Why did you ask me to move in with you?” More than ask. First, he demanded, then talked me around to see his point of view.

His brow furrows. “You know why.”

“So then, why are you currently trying to talk me into leaving?”

The frown gets deeper. “I’m not.”

“Yes, you are.” I sit back down. “You’re basically telling me that you have anger that you can’t control.”

“Because that’s something you need to know.”

“So, I should move out then, right? Because I’m assuming it’s not safe for me to live here with your uncontrollable anger.Although I’ve hardly moved in.” Only got one box of my things here, and he’s pulling this crap.

His lips part, but no words come out.

“Exactly. If you really, truly believed anything you just said, then you wouldn’t have asked me to move in here in the first place.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because I know you.”

His soulful eyes meet mine. “I should have told you about my past before you moved in though. I guess I was just afraid, and then having you here, in my space, and telling you it all, I just…panicked that maybe I am going to be like him.”

“If you were a man like your father, you wouldn’t have told me any of it at all. You’d have left me to find out through some other means, like the internet, and if I had never found out, you’d have just carried on regardless. You are not the man your father was.”

“Maybe, maybe not? Do you…” He pauses, taking a breath. “Do you see me differently now?”

---