Page 9 of Pretty Spiteful

“Hawk!”

“Huh?” My gaze snaps to Kai, realizing I missed whatever he was saying.

“I asked if Wilder is here?”

“Oh, no. He’s at the frat house tonight.”

Kai purses his lips. “Fine. We can fill him in tomorrow, then.”

As if her body is a magnet drawing my attention back her way, I once again find my gaze resting on her. I note the exhaustion tugging her shoulders down and her unnaturally pale face with dark purple rings under her eyes. It’s probably fucked up that a thrill runs down my spine at seeing her haggard appearance. I guess life hasn’t worked out too well for Emilia Harrison since she left us all behind to move to her fancy college.

Not that I give a shit. Sure, she was hot as fuck and a fun lay. And maybe I went back for seconds and could have gone for thirds, but it was just sex and convenience. She was the only girl in school who wasn’t looking for something other than a good time from me, andthat’sthe only reason why I slept with her more than once.

Unlike Wilder, who lost his goddamn mind over her. She practically chewed him up and spat him out, leaving him to put the pieces of his psychotic little heart back together all by himself with duct tape and super glue.That’swhy I feel pacified in knowing she’s suffered too, even if whatever the reason for her hollow eyes and the fact that she’s currently sitting in my kitchen has nothing to do with Wilder. She’s still suffered, and there’s some satisfaction in that.

I once again have to rip my gaze away from Emilia to focus on Kai, and I realize I missed what he was saying—again.

“Sorry, what?”

He frowns, spearing me with a look that says whatever he’s trying to tell me is important and I need to pay attention. I’ve known Kai for just over a year now, and even though he’s technically my subordinate, we have an easygoing rapport.

After working to turn Nocturnal Enterprises into an entirely legit operation, offering private security to the rich and famous, I started an outreach program offering security and protection for those attempting to run from dangerous situations. It’s primarily battered women looking to escape their abusive partners, but we get other cases too. It was when I was recruiting men who could help get these vulnerable people to safety that I crossed paths with Kai. It’s difficult to find men who are competent and will take their job seriously, who won’t take advantage of such a situation, but I instantly warmed to Kai.

His years of service and the pride in his eyes at having served his country reassured me that he would put the lives of these men and women above his own, but it was his backstory that confirmed he was the perfect candidate for the job. After hearing that, Iknewhe would never let the same fate befall whatever charge he was protecting. He’d do whatever it took to ensure they were safe.

Over the following months, we fell into an easy companionship, and his knowledge and insight have been invaluable in ensuring the project has thrived. It’s thanks to him that we have successfully helped over fifty men and women escape life-threatening situations.

Several months ago, he’d come to me, asking for some time off. He didn’t give a reason and I hadn’t wanted to pry, but now that he’s here, in my kitchen with Emilia, I have to wonder what the hell he’s been up to and how she’s involved.

“Emilia has a stalker.”

Well, those words get my attention, and I finally listen to what Kai has to say as he fills me in on Emilia’s past with this so-called stalker, the events of today, and Hadley’s hastily thrown-together plan. Of course, my sister went to Kai asking for help. With his bleeding heart and history, there was no way he wasn’t going to jump to Emilia’s rescue. However, the fact that Hadley sent them here, knowing damn well that she was delivering Emilia like a sacrificial lamb to the slaughter… What was she thinking?

Hadley is more than aware of the safe houses we have dotted across the country. She could easily have sent Kai and Emilia to one of them. Hell, it would probably have been safer, and yet, it’s my kitchen Emilia is currently sitting in. My infuriating sister is playing with fire, and she damn well knows it.

The entire time, I watch Emilia, noting the fact that she never removes her gaze from the countertop while Kai talks. The only reaction she gives is the tightening of her hand around the mug when Kai mentions her dead boyfriend and the threats her previous ones received. Seeing as she’s not a blubbering mess on my floor, she couldn’t have been too attached to this boyfriend.

“So, Hadley thinks you’ll be safer here?” Kai’s already said as much, but I want Emilia to know that she may be safe here from her stalker, but that does not mean she is safe. I hitch a brow. “Under the same roof as me and Wilder?”

Emilia attempts to suppress her flinch at hearing his name, but I catch it, smirking at the knowledge of how uncomfortable this situation is for her. Given the fact that we hadn’t heard from or seen her since high school, I bet she never thought she’d see us again.

I can feel Kai’s gaze as it flicks between us, and I wonder if she’s told him anything about our past. Regardless, I ignore his questioning stare as I drill my gaze into Emilia until she squirms in her chair. I watch as her shoulders tense and her spine turns rigid as she gathers the courage she needs to lift her head, meeting my steely gaze with a resolute one of her own.

I can see the fire burning deep in her eyes, and I smirk at the challenge. Bring it on, Little Sparrow. This time, you’re playing by our rules, and you won’t escape unscathed.

Dismissing her, I flick my gaze to Kai. “Fine, you can stay.” As if I had any choice. “You can take the two bedrooms on the third floor.”

With an appreciative nod, Kai downs the last of his coffee before placing his and Emilia’s mugs in the sink. He grabs the two duffel bags they arrived with, and Emilia moves to follow him as he heads out of the room, but I quickly round the island and wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her back against me before she can run away.

I ignore the heat of her body radiating along mine, and the way she fits snuggly against me, her soft curves pressed flush against my hard edges. Lowering my face to her neck, my breaths fan over the sensitive skin beneath her earlobe, and I smirk as she reacts to my touch, her tense body trembling as goosebumps pebble along her skin.

“Don’t think your safety won’t come at a price, Little Sparrow.”

Dropping my arm, she scurries from the room without a backward glance, and I watch her go, both apprehensive and curious about this new development. For the first time in a long time, I find myself excited for tomorrow. Wilder’s going to obliterate every remnant of the safe world Emilia has built for herself, and I can’t wait to watch him.

* * *

Leaningagainst the headboard of my bed, I get comfy before dialing her number. It’s late. I had to wait until I was sure Emilia was locked away in her room for the remainder of the night, but I knew she’d still be awake, expecting this call.

---