Page 58 of Hush (Fighting Fate)

Stupidly, I was a little excited about Kaeli’s impending visit. I kept telling myself I just needed to see she was okay, but I knew the real reason was because I just wanted her. I wanted to see her, smell her, and taste her. Oh, and maybe feel her against me. Just a little.

The sound of my cell pinging saved my thoughts from going where they had no right to go. I pulled it out of my pocket and immediately recognized the number as the disposable cell I’d given Kaeli. Why was she texting me again? She knew it wasn’t safe.

When I opened it up and saw she’d actually written words this time, I nearly cursed. I’d told her not to do that.

I stiffened the instant I read what she sent.

I think someone’s following me…

Fuck! I typed quickly. Where r u?

I waited for her answer with clenched hands. When nothing came back straight away, I started to panic. I was just about to type again when a response finally appeared.

Alley. 2 blks away.

Without wasting a second, I started striding for the door. “Davo! We’ve got a situation!” I called.

I didn’t wait for him. Kaeli could be in trouble, but by the time I’d reached the corner, Davo was beside me. “What’s up?”

“Kaeli thinks someone’s following her,” I said straight.

I knew having Davo know I’d given Kaeli my number could be dangerous, but I was pretty sure he’d be cool with it. Out of all the other guys, he seemed to be the most understanding and nonchalant when it came to my choices with women.

His eyes hardened, but that was the only emotion that came. I liked that about Davo. He didn’t ask questions. He just did what was needed to be done and got out. No fuss.

I already knew the exact route Kaeli took when she came - I’d made damn sure of that when I realized how innocent she was, so I moved through the back streets with sure, quick steps, Davo following my every lead.

We stuck to the shadows close to the buildings, our eyes wide and watchful as we moved. When we rounded the next corner, I saw them.

The guy had her cornered, a knife drawn in front of him to scare her. Pulling out my gun, I released the safety, and began my slow, agonizing approach. All I could think about was getting Kaeli away from the fucker. Then killing him.

I could hear him yelling at her to hand over the bag. “Now, bitch!” he snarled, waving the knife in her face.

My blood went from an aggravated simmer to boiling within in the blink of an eye. I moved as stealthily as possible, wanting to get as close to him as I could before making myself known.

I watched Kaeli slowly hold the bag out to him, then him snatching it out of her hands. He dropped it to the ground, instantly searching its contents. I took the opportunity to advance further.

The guy must’ve liked what he found, because he laughed and zipped it back up before standing again. “Aaron said you were a hot piece of ass,” the guy drooled.

I froze, my eyes instantly narrowing at hearing Aaron’s name. He set this up?

Kaeli’s head jerked back a bit in surprise and she blinked. Obviously she had the same thought as me.

“He also said I had to kill you.”

Yep. Last straw. I was going to kill him. Then I was going to find Aaron, and I was going to kill him. But not before torturing the fucker.

The fucking scumbag started to stalk confidently towards Kaeli, an evil grin plastered to his face.

“What?” Kaeli said, panic flaring in her eyes.

My brain hurried to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. If Aaron wanted Kaeli dead, then he was obviously trying to cover his tracks, which meant he didn’t want Ken to know he was behind it.

“Sorry,” the guy said, not sounding very sorry at all.

I decided now was a good time to move in. Taking aim, I moved out of the shadows, not surprised when Kaeli’s gaze jumped towards me. I expected the thug to turn to see what had caught her attention, but he grabbed Kaeli and forced her in front of him, holding the knife to her throat instead. Fuck.

“Don’t come any closer or I’ll kill her!”

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