Page 87 of Kai
“Shut up while you’re ahead.” Bozeman clipped Javier on the back of the head.
“Hey!” Javier rubbed the spot. “What did I do?”
“You talk too much, and my ears have reached their limit for today.” Micah climbed down the ladder and entered the water. “King, focus on Bravo. Be there.”
“Aye, aye,” I returned. “Be safe, Bozeman.”
Granite strapped on his mask and fins and swam away from the boat.
“Goof,” I said. “Give Cece a break. Remember that Richard Astor did a number on his kids.”
“I know that.” Guzman bent his knees and sat on the platform, his long legs dangling over the edge and in the water. “Thena’s way is duty and loyalty. Missy’s approach is goodness and kindness. Cece’s angle is… what? Fire and brimstone? Torments of hell? Wrath of God?”
“She’s hardest on herself,” I said. “Be patient. You’ll grow on her.” At least I hoped so.
“For Missy’s sake, I hope you’re right.” Guzman slid on his fins and flashed me a smile. He genuinely wanted Cece’s approval. He lowered his mask over his face. “See you, K-man. Watch any acid compounds you may have lying around the catamaran. Don’t let them near your manly parts.”
I cocked my eyebrows. “Really, Goof?”
“Just saying. Shoot up a few flares if you need rescuing from Sorceress’s spells, will ya?” The clown laughed, gave me a sloppy salute, and dropped into the water. “Good luck with Bravo,” he added when he surfaced with his DSV in his hand.“You’re gonna need it.”
Chapter Twenty-eight
Cece
I didn’t march to my berth and lock the door because I was afraid that Kai might burst into the room and yell at me after my confrontation with Javier. This is what my father would’ve done, rip into me, threaten and insult me for my impertinence, and accuse me of being a crazy hothead.
But Kai wasn’t like my father.
I locked the door because I was done, depleted and exhausted from keeping up my tough façade. Protecting my sisters was hard work. It came at a high emotional cost. I was also confused. Javier had not reacted violently to my challenge. He hadn’t responded to my triggers. Kai’s friend was more like him than I’d expected.
Even so, apologizing for securing Missy’s wellbeing was not on the menu. Testing Javier had to be done. Ensuring he was loyal to Missy also had to happen. Who else was going to do it if not me?
Kai must think I’m nuts.
Since when have I cared about what other people think of me?
Since you met Kai,my impertinence replied.
Kai, who’d assured his friends that he wasnotfalling for me.
Good for him.He’s smart. Unlike you.
Kai probably thought I’d overreacted. And maybe I had. After all, I’d been mad at what I’d heard, and he hadn’t included me in the meeting. A part of me still resented him for that. My chest ached when I remembered how adamantly Kai had deniedhe had fallen for me to his friends. I couldn’t understand my feelings. Why was I hurting?
I’d told him I was a no-men, no-love, no-relationship gal. That love was a fallacy. I’d accused all men of being aggravations and gold diggers. My attraction to him was just lust.
Then why the emotional ruckus, Astor?
Because I’d gotten to know Kai. I’d developed… what? An appreciation of his qualities? An admiration of the person he was? A crush on him? Something more?
You’re not capable of whatever ‘more’ means,I reminded myself. You can’t have feelings for Kai. Most of the time, you don’t even have feelings. You don’tdolove.
Stomping to the head, I dropped the towel, parked before the mirror, and frowned. God, I looked so vulgar. And yet, dressed like this, I’d started a mental cage fight, given that Javier refused to engage in a physical one.
Stupid Cece,Father’s voice echoed in my mind.No man in his right mind is ever gonna put up with you, and that includes this Kai fellow whose sausage you’re craving in your bun.
I yanked down the tiny thong and kicked it away. It went flying across the room. Tugging on the T-shirt, I unknotted the fabric and let it hang down. Loose as it was, it dangled down to my thighs. I was no longer an obscene walking display.
