Page 20 of Broken King

Mustering every ounce of strength I have, I cross my arms over my chest and smooth my hands over my hair. “I’m sorry that’s how you had to find out. You didn’t deserve that.” Taking a chance, I move forward and trace the bruise forming under his eye. “I’m going to kill Hudson for hitting you.”

His hand darts out like a snake and catches my wrist. “Scarlet, I get hit for a living. Your brother didn’t hurt me.” He holds my palm in place against his cheek. “Talk to me.” His words are softer than I deserve.

I pull out of his hold, and take a step away, breaking the electricity humming between us. “Believe it or not, I had a plan. What Hudson did was cruel.” Over Cade’s shoulder, the door to Crucible opens, and I see Imogen standing just inside. Cade’s little girl is still sitting on her hip, both of them watching us. “Seems we have an audience.”

Cade reaches for me again, but I angle my body away, not wanting to be touched. “Come home with me, Scarlet. Let’s talk about this in private.”

After a moment, Imogen peeks her head through the door. “Cade,” she yells. “I’ve got to get going. I’m singing at Kingdom tonight.”

Of course,she’s singing at my brother’s bar tonight.

Because this will provide even more fodder for my family phone tree.

Cade ignores his sister and bends his knees to bring himself eye level with me.

At five-foot-seven, very few men can make me feel small and delicate, but this man does.

He always has.

“Cade...”

The door opens again. This time a small, strawberry-blonde head pops out. “I put Hudson in a time-out, Daddy. You can come back in now.”

“Come home with me, Scarlet. Let’s talk about this.” He’s trying.

He’s still angry, but he’s trying.

I’m the one refusing to budge.

“Go home, Cade. Your little girl needs you. Take some time and think about it.” What I really want to say is “Give me some space because the control I thought I’d have tonight was shot to hell with my brother’s actions, and I can’t possibly stay composed through a meal at your house with you and your daughter.”

Not now.

Not when you’re this angry.

Instead, I simply say, “We’re both adults, Cade. How involved you are in this child’s life is up to you.”

He studies my face as his jaw clenches. “What are you trying to say?”

“I’m trying to tell you that it’s up to you. I’m fully prepared to raise this child alone. If you’d like to be involved, that’s fine. But it’s not necessary.”

I expect anger.

Resistance.

What I don’t expect is the slow smile that spreads across his face.

“Nice try, duchess.”

The door creaks open again, and his daughter squeals, “Daddy...”

“This isn’t over, Scarlet. Give me your phone.”

Why I revert back to being a seventeen-year-old girl when I’m with this man is beyond me, but I do it all the same. I’ve done so many things with him simply because he told me to. Reaching into my purse, I dig out my phone and hand it over.

Cade holds it up to my face, unlocking the home screen. Then his fingers fly across the screen before he hands it back to me. “My number is saved in there, and I texted myself so I’d have yours.”

“I left you my card.”

“I don’t want your work number, Scarlet.” He moves behind me to my car door and holds it open. “This isn’t over.”

I slide behind the wheel and glance up at him. “I know.”

“Buckle up.” Cade watches me put my seatbelt on, then closes my door and stands sentry as I pull out of the parking lot, wondering what exactly that smile was hiding.

---