Page 9 of Blood Ties
Color blooms on Riley’s pale face. She opens her mouth like she wants to say something, but then she shuts it again, and crawls over to Knox just like she crawled to me.
Knox isn’t hesitant like I was. He grabs her and yanks her into his lap, and then his mouth is against hers, swallowing the startled noise she makes. He kisses her hard, hand gripping the back of her neck, and she sighs and leans into him. His free hand grazes her bare back and drifts lower, squeezing her ass.
I look away, jealousy burning like acid at the back of my throat.
“Okay,” Felix says, drawing out the word. “I think that’s enough of that, yeah? Let’s play something else.”
“What, are you suddenly not having fun, Felix?” Caleb asks, glaring daggers at his friend. “Sure seemed to be enjoying yourself a minute ago. What could be the problem?”
Riley slides off of Knox’s lap, wiping her mouth, casting an uncertain look at the boys. Knox looks past her, right at me, and mouths something, his eyebrows lifting in question.
Keeper?No. My veins turn to ice as I realize what he’s asking.Keep her?
“Chill, Caleb,” Felix says, both hands extended in a placating gesture. “It’s a game.”
“Don’t tell me to chill, man!” Caleb throws his own hands up and knocks a beer onto the floor. As I watch it seep into the carpet, my stomach clenches.
“Watch it,” I snap, jumping to my feet. Everyone’s heads whip toward me, eyes wide — except Knox, whose gaze narrows instead.
“Sorry,” Caleb says, hands frozen mid-air.
“It’s fine,” Knox says, still glowering at me. “Relax, Kai.”
“Well somebody needs to fucking clean it up.” I storm out of the room and into the kitchen, search for cleaning supplies while my heartbeat rises in my ears. It better not stain. If it does... if Dad notices, then—
A hand clamps on my shoulder, and I nearly jump out of my skin.
“Hey,” Knox says, shaking me. “The fuck is wrong with you?”
“Withme?” I brush his hand off and whirl to face him. “They shouldn’t be here.”
“Keep your voice down,” he mutters, a warning in his eyes as he steps even closer.
My instinct is to shrink away, but with alcohol in my veins I’m feeling brave, for once. I jut my chin out, though I do lower my voice. “If Dad finds out—”
Knox grabs me by the jaw, and all of my newfound bravery dissipates. “He won’t,” my brother says through gritted teeth. “Because you’re sure as hell not going to tell him. Isn’t that right?”
His fingers dig into my skin. “Of course I won’t.”
“Then he’s not gonna find out.” Knox’s eyes bore into mine. “Because I’m gonna clean up my tracks. I’m not a fucking idiot. Do you think I’m a fucking idiot, Kai?”
I try to shake my head, but he’s gripping me too tight. “No,” I say. “But-”
“Butwhat?” he snarls, his face inches from mine.
“Is everything alright in here?”
We both freeze. Then Knox releases me and steps away, a smile already sliding into place as he turns to face the doorway. Riley is clothed again, only her puffy lips and tousled hair showing evidence of the game we played.
“We’re all good,” Knox says. “Just trying to get this little shithead to relax. You need something?”
Riley is quiet for a moment. Her eyes are so blue, so constantly watchful. It makes me worry. Not about her, but for her. “No,” she says, after a second. “Just seeing if you guys want to join us for another round of shots.”
“Sure,” Knox says. Riley nods, turns and leaves, and his smile drops as he turns back to me. “It’s gonna be fine,” he says in a low voice. “You’ll see.” He follows her back into the living room.
I stay where I am, rubbing my jaw and leaning back against the counter. I really hope he’s right.
Because if Dad knew these people were in our house right now, he’d kill every last one of them.
