Page 23 of Katie 2

“You have a boyfriend?” He raises an eyebrow, clearly amused.

“Yes, I do. So whatever this is, just leave me alone. Okay?” I try to move past him, but his hand catches my arm.

His voice drops an octave, becoming more serious, almost predatory. “You don’t have to act like you don’t like me. I can tell you do.”

The words make my skin crawl, but I’m stuck, rooted to the spot with his grip. My pulse pounds in my ears as the urge to run claws at me.

“Get your hands off me,” I order with a forced grin.

His touch slowly peels away, but that dark threat in his eyes lingers. I hate that I missed it. I hate that I assumed the best of him. I didn’t want Brad to be right. I wanted to prove that people are good at heart, that not everyone is a threat. I’m just about to say that when that sense of being watched pricks the back of my neck again.

And then, in the distance, I see him. Brad. He’s standing by the fountain, arms crossed over his chest, eyes locked on us. His expression is unreadable, but I can sense the anger radiating off him from here. I don’t know how long he’s been standing there, but he’s watching us—watching me.

My breath catches, and I take a step back from Dan, the words spilling out before I can stop them. “I really have to go.”

Dan doesn’t seem to hear me. His gaze follows mine and flicks between me and Brad. He’s putting the pieces together but clearly doesn’t believe whatever he’s thinking.

“Is that him?” he asks, and I nod.

“Bye, Dan,” I say and take off. But the closer I get to Brad, the more nerves crawl up. Will he disappear again or will he finally talk to me?

He’s either going to fight with me or… or something else, something naughty and overwhelming and punishing in a way I don’t entirely feel ready for. Not with anger still nipping at my heels and the threat of another headache teasing my temples.

No matter what he chooses, the public eye isn’t going to do me any favors.

As I’m coming closer, Brad only shakes his head before I hear his voice.

“Go home, wait for me.” His voice is low and dark, but he won’t say more as he walks past me toward Dan.

I should stop him, right? Tell him to come with me?

But it is really the best way to disobey him again.

I follow him with my gaze, his strides heavy with purpose, but I don’t dare to look and turn to head home.

Obeying him like he wants me to.

Chapter twelve

Brad

The air’s thick with the smell of fresh-cut grass and exhaust as I stand outside the house, staring down at my hands. I flex my fingers, but the blood that coats them doesn’t come off. It’s sticky, dry now, and the reality of it hits me harder than I thought it would. I lost control. I let the darkest parts of myself come to the surface again.

I can still hear Dan’s groaning voice in my head, the whimper of a man who thought he could take what wasn’t his.

He never saw it coming.

I glance at the door, knowing Katie’s inside. My feet move almost on their own, like they know exactly where I’m going before my mind catches up. She’s magnetic that way, impossible to resist.

By the time I step inside, she’s standing there, her back to me, not yet aware that I’m home.

I pause for a moment, breathing deep, letting the weight of everything settle into my chest. The bruises on my face sting. But it doesn’t matter. Nothing matters but her.

She’s mine.

I slide the belt from around my waist and hold it loosely in my hand as I step forward. She turns at the sound of my footsteps, her eyes locking with mine. Her breath hitches, and I don’t miss the flicker of fear that crosses her face, even if she tries to hide it.

Her lips part, but she doesn’t speak.

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