Page 33 of Katie 3

“I won’t let you touch me for a full day. A full day for every fight, Brad,” I threaten.

He turns off the shower. “Is that—”

“Non-negotiable. I’m serious too. I’ll even tell Carter so he’ll hold you to it. I bet he’ll kiss me and touch me twice as much just to make you angry and to make you regret it,” I say.

Brad wraps me in a towel and shakes his head. “Where’s my eager little slut who loves my hands all over her?”

“Right here, bribing you to make sure I get your hands all over me sooner rather than later,” I argue.

He watches me for a long moment, then nods. “I know you’re right.”

“I know how you are. I don’t care what anyone in there says about me or you or… any of our family. Defend yourself the right way and don’t start anything because I…” I need him. It’s that simple.

“I know,” he whispers.

Chapter sixteen

Brad

No one can be prepared for this, no one. We knew it was coming, and yet the cuffs feel heavy on my wrists. The cold metal burns my skin. Neither feelings distract me from the tears inhereyes.

I want to kiss her cheeks, catch the tears before they roll down, but it’s too late. I did this, I caused all of this.

I’m the monster. I hurther.

She keeps her head up, putting on a brave face as Carter holds her close, worried she might run towards me.

I should’ve been better.

So I’ll do what she asked. No fights. I’ll get the shit beat out of me if I have to. I might throwapunch to defend myself, but if I show up to trial bruised with wardens saying I didn’t fight back, saying I didn’t do anything but throw one punch then duck and cover, that’s evidence in my favor, right? It means I get back to Katie sooner.

Booking is a simple process I’ve been through before. And it reminds me of my past and drops my spirits. I haven’t ever beena golden boy and as hopeful as we are that the jury will see me in a better light, I have a feeling my past is going to do plenty of talking in Dan’s favor. And ifeverythingcomes out, the secret that Carter, Dad, and I have been hiding, Katie might be caught in the crossfire. Carter and Dad better have a fucking plan.

The goal was to avoid getting this far. But I’m booked, read my charges, go through a bail hearing, and then I’m put in jail.

The air is suffocating and my skin itches as a chill settles around me. I didn’t have anything to lose last time, but now… I can’t live with myself if I loseher.

Carter

Katie is desperately trying to study for school, in need of something normal and steady. I know she’s been fighting to keep some sense of her old life these last few days—specifically since watching Brad get in the back of a police car with his hands cuffed.

She keeps rubbing her wrists when she’s not keeping her hands busy and I’m sure that’s what she’s replaying in her mind.

I hate it. I hate that she wouldn’t let me lead her away. I hate how she sits in front of the window with it open, just by a sliver. She doesn’t want any press to see her. A few have come and gone, but whether it’s bad or good, Brad’s case isn’t a huge story. More violent crimes happen every day and since everyone’s alive and my father’s smart, the judge pretty much banned Dan or his team from talking about what happened and corrupting the jury.

Ten days. Ten days since my brother was arrested and ten days since Katie has been willing to smile. I’ve tried plenty, but she just waits for him to be able to call her, asks the same questions,listens, barely manages a smile when she tells Brad she loves him, then she’ll sit back down.

Dad’s working hard on the case, but always says hello to Katie in the morning and kisses her to prove he’s not going anywhere even though stress is haunting him.

“Doll,” I say softly.

She peeks up at me and drops her textbook. She crawls over it and sits in my lap, kissing my neck. She rubs my chest and exhales softly in my ear, making me shiver. My dick rises for the occasion, just like it does any time she’s involved.

“I miss you,” I say.

“I’m right here. You can’t say that,” she grumbles.

My lips tease hers as I cup one of her breasts. “I miss fucking you until you’re dizzy and smiling. I miss teasing you in the car. I miss you smiling and teasing me back.”

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