Page 84 of Love, Hate, Love

“You’ll only make it worse on yourself. The more trouble you stir up, the more will bounce back onto you after all. I mean, it looks pretty cushy here, but it was your first offense. Another offense and you probably won’t be so lucky.”

I wanted to rip his throat out. I wanted to scream that I’d get him if it was the last thing I did, but I couldn’t. Everything he said was accurate. I was screwed, and he held all the cards, at least for now. So I hit the only soft spot I’d ever sensed in him.

“I just hope I don’t slip and say something to Kade one night.”

I’d hit the target if his reaching out and gripping my forearm like a vise meant anything.

“You say one word to him and your heels will leave tracks through this whole place as they drag you out of here. Do you hear me?”

Why was he so afraid of Kade? This was more than fear of catching a beating.

“You had better take your hands off her.”

My stepfather’s face morphed back into its normal mask the moment he heard Kade’s voice. Showed how bad he was slipping that he’d even gotten caught. He used to stay more on his toes than this.

“Kade, we were just having a family chat,” he said, immediately letting me go.

“We don’t have those kinds of chats with women around here.” Kade walked closer and stepped in between us, physically backing Edwin up another couple steps.

“I’m sure you can understand a father’s frustration in a moment like this.”

Kade’s gaze shot to my arm, where marks were already showing.

“No. I actually don’t.” He walked closer, forcing Edwin to step back again. “What I would love to know is why you think you have any say in whether she stays here or not?”

“You came upon us at a very awkward moment. I’m only trying to help her not get herself in more trouble by saying foolish things or doing something crazy. Like I said, you caught us in the middle of a family squabble, is all. I know this must look horrible to you, but after what’s happened, I get a little emotional if I’m afraid she might be heading off down the track again. I’ve cared for her like she was my own flesh and blood. It’s hard to stand by while she’s making such poor decisions.” The veil was firmly back in place and he was calm sophistication again, expecting everyone to fall in line.

I stared at the ground, waiting to hear Kade say he understood. How could he not? Edwin was such a stand-up guy. Everyone knew it. How many times had someone said it to me over the last decade?

“Actually, I don’t. Get out.” Kade sounded as if he were barely holding back from ripping Edwin apart.

“Excuse me?”

“What are you misunderstanding? I’m telling you to get off my property.” Kade stood there, waiting, making it clear he wasn’t leaving until my stepfather did.

“I believe it’s up to Leah if she’s done having this conversation with me,” Edwin said, his dark underbelly showing. He wasn’t used to getting any pushback, let alone what Kade was dishing out.

“This is my ranch, and she’s under my protection, so this is how it’s going to go. You’re going to leave now. Not after you say goodbye to the bride; not after you circle a few times and work the crowd. You can go get your wife and leave, or just leave, but you need to get out of here in the next five minutes.”

“I… What?” Edwin’s face was so red that his flush was visible even in the dim light.

“You heard me,” Kade said. “If you don’t, something very bad is going to happen. I haven’t decided which route to go yet, but there will be a lot of pain and humiliation and zero witnesses.”

“I’m not sure what I’ve done to?—”

“You’ve received your warning.” He looked at his watch.

Edwin gaped at him and then tried to look past Kade to me. “Leah, how can you?—"

“You don’t get to speak to her. You’re dealing with me,” Kade said. He tapped his watch. “Four minutes.”

Edwin scrambled off.

Kade turned to me. “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice soft as his hand came to my cheek.

I had a lot of emotions flowing through me, and none of them so simply wrapped up in that word.

Across the way, I could see Cassie holding court, getting ready to depart.

---