Page 106 of Liars

Because he wasn’t wrong.

He leveled me with a stare that felt like it could pierce right through my bullshit. “You do know what’s at stake, don’t you?”

I swallowed, my muscles locking. “Of course.” He never let me forget.

“You sure?” His voice was deceptively calm. “Because the way I see it, you’re playing a dangerous game.”

I clenched my fists at my sides. “I can handle it.”

My father studied me before shaking his head, amusement laced with something harder in his gaze. “If that’s what you need to tell yourself, but you will end this thing with her before it gets out of control. She isn’t here for your amusement. She isn’t a toy for you and your brothers to play with. If you need a release, go to the club.”

It was just like him to suggest I sleep with one of his strippers. God knew he did. My father had little respect for women, my mother included. I hated how he made me feellike a kid again, like he saw straight through me. Like he knew damn well that whatever happened last night hadn’t just been a onetime thing, no matter how much I wanted to convince myself otherwise.

Without another word, he took his coffee and walked out, leaving me standing there, my fists clenched, my mind spinning.

Fuck.

Shit was getting out of control. This was his show. I didn’t want to be involved inhisbusiness anymore. He had Raine to inherithisfucking legacy.

My father’s voice still rang in my ears, each word fueling the fire burning in my chest. I couldn’t stay in that house for another second without punching a hole through the damn wall.

Storming down the hall, I barely registered anything around me. My only focus was getting the hell out of there. The front door slammed behind me, and I stalked toward my car, yanking open the driver’s side door. My hands were shaking.

I needed to get out. Needed space.

Needed to breathe.

The passenger door creaked open, and my head up, pulse spiking, ready to bite someone’s head off until I saw her.

Kaylor.

She climbed in without hesitation, pulling the door shut behind her. “Where are you going?”

I revved the engine. A warning for her to get out if she knew what was good for her. “What the hell are you doing?” My voice was harsher than I intended, still rough with anger.

She didn’t even flinch. Just reached for her seat belt like she had every right to be here. “I’m not letting you go off like this alone.”

I blinked, caught off guard. “You—what?”

She glanced at me, lifting a brow. “I’m going with you.”

I clenched my jaw, inhaling sharply. “Not happening. I’m already in hot shit with my father because of you.”

The resolve in her gaze remained steadfast. “Too bad.”

I should’ve told her to get out. Should’ve snapped at her for inserting herself into something that had nothing to do with her.

But I didn’t.

I just exhaled through my nose, too exhausted to argue. “Fine.” I turned back to the wheel. “Buckle up, little raven. You’re about to see just how bad my mood can get.”

Tires squealed as I tore out of the driveway, leaving the house and my father behind in the rearview mirror.

27

KAYLOR

For the first few minutes, neither of us spoke. The only sounds were the roar of the engine and the wind rushing past the windows.

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