Page 180 of Will Bark for Pizza
He’s here.
Turn around.
We need to go back.
Now!
SIXTY
KIRA
“It’s okay.I’m not in line,” a male voice cut through. “I just need to get inside quick. I know the author. She’s my girlfriend.”
The blood in my veins ran cold at the sound of that hauntingly familiar voice. My entire body stiffened at the sight of Travis squeezing his large frame through the open doorway.
He looked disheveled, his wrinkled button-up shirt partially untucked, and his jeans scraped up as though he’d tripped and his knees skidded across dirty pavement. His eyes were bloodshot, and he’d shaved his head. It made him look meaner. Colder.
What the fuck was he doing here?
At first, I thought I was imagining it. Until the lovely lady I was signing a set of books for asked, “Who is that guy? He looks like one of your villains.”
“Right,” another in line behind her agreed. “Like that guy Vincent Veltori unalived for touching his mate.”
“He looks meaner in person.”
Not imagining it.
What the actual fuck?
“He’s not supposed to be here,” I said to the curious women near my table. “And he isnotmy boyfriend.”
Travis stumbled his way through the crowd, his sights set on me. It was obvious he’d been drinking. How much was anyone’s guess.
Where the fuck was Luke?
“I’ll go find your brother,” Thelma muttered low, patting my shoulder before she disappeared.
My first impulse was to cower. To feel guilty for the success of today, because it would makehimfeel bad. As if his failures and shortcomings were somehow my responsibility. How many times did Travis tear me down from a high moment simply because he was jealous? How many times did he make me believe I didn’t deserve my success? That it was nothing more than a fluke?
The crowd lined up outside proved otherwise.
Fear turned to anger.
I pushed back from my chair, determined to stand my ground, both figuratively and literally.
“No,” I commanded, so loudly Travis actually stopped in his tracks and gaped at me in shock. I spotted Luke in the doorway, along with Beckett. About fucking time. “You donotget to come here and ruin my day.”
“Kare bear?—”
“Call me that again, and it’ll be the last thing youevercall me.” Okay, so making death threats in front of my police chief brother and dozens of camera phones was probably not the wisest course of action, but I was beyondcaring. Travis had stolen enough from me. I was done allowing him to take one more damn thing. “This is the only time I’ll say this nicely. You need to leave.”
“But I came here to see you?—”
“If you want to stay, it’s your funeral.” I stared him down and held my ground, despite the way my entire body was shaking.
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m done being silent.” I folded my arms over my chest. I caught sight of my brother hanging back, ready to step into action, but allowing me to have my say. Beckett and Connor were both at his side, looking equally pissed. “If you want to stay, I’m telling them everything.”
