Page 92 of Hate So Deep

I don’t know what to say, which is just as well because Hayden says, “We’ll be back in a while.”

Ramie’s head pops up and she frowns as she looks between them before saying, “Don’t do anything that will put your ass in jail.”

Chuckling, he presses a kiss to her temple and says, “Don’t worry, sugar. I plan to be in your bed tonight.”

Her cheeks heat as a beautiful grin lights up her features while I stare because I can’t fucking turn to say, “You promised.”

“I didn’t promise anything, baby girl,” Dirk says.

The growly rasp pulls at my stomach but I ignore the heat pooling in my belly and mutter, “Please. Let it go.”

He doesn’t respond and I cover my mouth when he steps to the door and says, “This is who I am, Lauren. I won’t change for any-fucking-body.”

Chapter 35

THEN

Lauren

The days bleed into each other while I slowly shrink into a version of myself that I don’t recognize.

My family continues to disintegrate before my eyes and there's nothing that I can do but watch the action from the sidelines.

Dirk’s cruel words follow me and while I get his anger at my omission, I don’t think he understood my true motivation.

This had nothing to do with Colt, beyond trying to forget but somehow my need to get closer to the rough and tumble guywho made my heart sing became a dirty game to bring my half-brother down.

It was not true but what could I possibly say? I was the one who didn’t introduce myself from the start and I can only imagine how it looked considering Buck’s nonstop quest to bring Colt down.

It’s a moot point now but after another brutal fight between my brothers in which no one has bothered to explain what happened, I find myself sitting outside the bookstore across town.

Buck came home from the hospital broken and bloodied. Meanwhile, Dad performed his perfunctory duties before claiming work and rushing out of the house.

What makes them so special?

I guess I’m about to find out because I didn’t follow him across town for nothing.

After exiting the car, I slam the door shut and round the hood before a deep, raspy voice says behind me, “I wouldn't do that if I were you.”

When I glance back, Dirk raises a brow. What the fuck is he doing here?

“Yeah,” I snarl, “well I’m not you.”

My veins seethe with emotion that I no longer have a desire to hold in. I've had enough and I'm about to expose their sordid little world.

Before I can take a single step though, Dirk grabs my arm and backs me toward the car, saying, “Get your pretty little ass in your car and go.”

“Fuck off,” I breathe, sucking in a breath when my heaving chest brushes his.

His chuckle sends a zing straight to my core as he pins me to the car and says, “For such a good girl, you sure swear like a fucking sailor.”

“I’m not a good girl,” I say automatically, and his eyes light with fire.

“Good to know,” he rasps, his gaze dropping to my heaving chest. “But baby girl, you don’t want to do this. It won’t end well. Not with Colt.”

“Colt? My father–”

“I know,” he says, cocking his head. “Let it be. There’s nothing you can do.”

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