Page 23 of Crazed

She scratches the back of her neck, shifting on the mattress while avoiding my gaze.

My red flags fly full mast. There are so many ways she's innocent even though she's been through so much. Plus, she's fifteen years younger than I am. I'll be forty in a few months, and she's only turning twenty-five.

As smart as Katiya is, my gut says she's gotten herself into some sort of trouble. I can't imagine what, but all the warning bells are ringing in my head. The hairs on the back of my neck rise. In a firm voice, I demand, "Katiya, tell me what's going on."

She locks eyes with mine. "Promise you won't get mad at me?"

Every urge I have to protect her consumes me. I warn myself to stay calm, but the feeling I get when I'm ready to kill someone ignites. If she's done something wrong and now has a problem, I'll do whatever it takes to solve it for her. Yet, I don't want to scare her before she tells me what's going on. I keep my voice level and emotionless. "Of course I won't."

She hesitates, glancing around the room.

I take her hand and kiss it. "Katiya, please tell me."

She lets out a long sigh, turns on the mattress, and pretzels her legs. Her lip slightly trembles. She pins her scared orbs on me, confessing, "I shouldn't have done it."

My heart races. I tighten my fingers around hers, asking, "Done what?"

She closes her eyes briefly then states, "Let me show you." She carefully unclasps the gold latch on the box and starts to lift the lid then stops.

"Katiya—"

"I don't want you to think I'm a thief. I'm not. I promise you that I'm not," she blurts out.

I try to hide my shock. "Why would I think that?"

She stays quiet.

I point to the wood. "You stole what's in that box?"

She rubs her hand over her face. When she removes it, she squeezes her eyes shut, confessing, "Yes, but...but it wasn't how it sounds."

I've done a lot of bad things in my days. While I don't consider myself a thief, there have been times I've stolen something. In my eyes, the end always justifies the means. So while I don't normally agree with stealing, there are certain circumstances when I can condone it.

I tug her so she's on my lap. I place the box on her thighs and caress her jaw. I assure her, "Dolce, whatever you did, tell me. I won't judge you. Scouts' honor."

She smirks. "You were in the Boy Scouts?"

I arrogantly grin. "No. I got kicked out of the Cub Scouts."

A tiny laugh flies out of her mouth. She covers it. "How did that happen?"

"You really want to know?"

She nods. "Absolutely."

I give her several kisses. "Fine. But after I tell you, it's your turn to spill it."

Anxiety fills her expression, but she agrees. "Okay. Now tell me."

"Well, Ms. Bossy Pants," I tease.

She pushes my chest. "Hey, now!"

I chuckle then continue, "If you must know, Little Danny didn't like me playing with his sister instead of him when I went to his house."

Amusement floods her face. "And?"

"He said something to me about it. I might have challenged him to a duel during one of the meetings," I admit.

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