Page 44 of Reckless Encore

She met Tyler’s gaze through the darkened glow of moonlight, and he stepped toward her. The slight offering of support warmed her in an instant. It was a balm against the severity of their fight. But it was also an admission of guilt.

His wide eyes and gaping mouth spoke volumes as he clung to the neck of the spirit bottle. Remorse had clearly written itself all over his gorgeous face.

“You,” her father growled.

She pushed to her feet, stumbled, and righted herself with enough time to get in front of her dad before he stormed toward Tyler.

“You slept with my daughter?” he roared. “And you’re drinking, too?” Rage contorted his face. His hands fisted at his sides.

“Stop it,” she whispered, backtracking from her father with each of his menacing steps.

His predatory stare bore down on her. “I’ll talk to you later.” He nudged her out of the way with the back of his arm. “Right now, it’s time Tyler and I had a few words.”

“Dad.” She stumbled to get between them.

Tyler dropped the bottle to the ground and retreated, matching each of her father’s forward steps with one in reverse.

“Leave him alone,” she begged.

“Why? If he’s mature enough to fuck you, then he sure as shit needs to be mature enough to face me like a man.”

She glanced around, frantic for help, and landed a pleading gaze on Maya. “Go get Mom.”

Her sister nodded and ran, Beth following close behind.

Tyler raised his hands in surrender, his skin white enough to be translucent. “Mr. Kennedy, I—”

“Mr. Kennedy?” her dad spat. “So, now that you’re fucking my daughter, you feel uncomfortable calling meUncleBlake?”

“We’re not cousins.” She placed a hand on his chest and pushed. He didn’t budge, just kept storming forward, the three of them walking in circles around the small clearing as Ethan and Chase stood frozen on the sidelines.

“No,” he seethed. “But I treated this little prick like a nephew.”

She always knew he would find out one day. She had anticipated his disappointment. His anger, too. But she’d never pictured the disgust and rage contorting his face.

He lunged around her, latching onto Tyler’s shirt, dragging him forward to sandwich the three of them together. “So, tell me, kid, how long have you been treating me like a fool?”

Chapter Twelve

Tyler planted his feet and met the threat in Blake’s eyes.

Sophie stood between them, the softness of her body leaning into his chest, her long blond hair cascading down his shirt. He could smell her—couldn’t stop smelling her—even when his life hung in the balance.

“I disrespected you,” he admitted in a rush. “I apologize. It won’t happen again.”

Sophie stiffened, her spine taut.

“You’re damn right it won’t happen again.” Blake clutched tighter to his shirt and gave a tug. “There’s no way in hell you’ll ever be welcomed back into my house.”

“Stop it,” she snapped. “Stop being such an insane asshole.We’re seventeen years old.”

The grip on Tyler’s shirt loosened as Blake grew two inches in the space of a heartbeat. He loomed over his daughter, his glare crackling with fury.

Tyler feared for her safety.

The man he’d known—the guy he looked up to—was gone. The fabulously brilliant bass guitarist had become a skeleton of the encouraging, uplifting person who had acted like a second father to him since his earliest memories.

Tyler placed his hands on her hips and hid a wince over the breathtakingly warm softness of her curves. He wouldn’t touch her again. Not after this.

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