Page 65 of Brutal King

“Love?” I said. I knew the word ‘love’ was often used as a euphemism for sex. ‘Give me your love.’ Sex. ‘I’m ready to love you.’ Sex. ‘Let’s show our love.’ Sex.

“Yes, Kat,” Kobe said. “I love you. I love you more than I ever realized. I guess I always have. I just didn’t want to admit it to myself.”

“What about all the bullying? You were mean to me, Kobe. Really mean.”

He shook his head. “Years ago, my father made it clear that I had to cut ties with you. What can I say? I was a stupid kid who just followed my dad’s orders without really thinking it through. But I can tell you this; not seeing you made me bitter. I grew angry. Angry at Dad. Angry at myself. Angry at the world. I took it out on a lot of people... you the most. I thought I can make you hate me so you’ll go away, far away from me. I thought I can turn away from you. When I first saw you sitting there in the cafeteria that day, my heart stopped, and I couldn’t breath. It was as if everything I’ve been suppressing for years all came out. I had to try to scare you away from me. We could not be together or I’ll lose everything. My family, my life as I’ve ever known... But now, now that I realize the depth of affection I have for you, there’s nothing that my father could say to make me leave you again. Nothing. I will forever cherish you. I’ll always be there for you. Trust me.”

“I’ll try,” I said. “I guess time will tell if I can really trust you or not.”

“I can live with that.” He looked at me, his eyes so filled with hope. “But... do you think you could ever love me? After all I’ve done?”

I smiled. “I guess that’s precisely what made this so hard all these years. We were apart but I knew how much I loved you, Kobe. I think I always have.”

His fingers resumed their gentle stroking.

“I always have, Kobe,” I whispered as I clung to him. “And I want you. I want you to be the first... the first and only.”

He kissed my nose. “I will be your first, but not now. Not like this, in Trent’s office, on Trent’s desk, with Trent’s unconscious body nearby. When I make love to you, it’ll be a night to remember.”

Chapter 20

Kat

IN THE WEE HOURS OF the morning, Trent finally shook off the effects of Kobe’s power punch.

“What happened?” he said as he rubbed his head.

“You tried to hit on the wrong girl,” Kobe said.

“Go fuck yourself, kid.” He struggled to get to his feet. “What the fuck are you doing here anyway?”

“Maybe you should sit down,” I suggested.

“I’m fine.”

“Suit yourself.”

But behind him, through the wall of windows with that impressive view of the valley, I could see my father and Mr. King walking up to the door. Behind them, two police officers.

After reviewing the footage and realizing that Trent was the culprit, I’d called my dad.

“You have to come down here right away.”

“What’s going on, honey? Are you alright?”

“Please, Dad. Just come.”

“I’m almost an hour away.”

“I’ll wait.”

“Okay.I’m coming.”

Now, seeing him enter the devastation that was his new baby, I could clearly see the concern in his eyes; not for his restaurant but for me.

“Katrina, honey, what is this all about?”

The officers from the local police department stood by.

---