“I hope you’re good and mad now,” Kai continued, “because that’s exactly how mad Michael is. Trevor fooled us all, and you should know by now that the only dangers we can fight are the ones we can see coming. And right now, we’re blind.” His voice filled the entire car, and I refused to look at him. “Trevor is unpredictable and unreadable, and Damon has one emotion. Hate.”
I stared out the window as we pulled onto Delcour’s street. He was right. There was possible danger, and I was being childish.
But they were treating me like a child, too.
“Is it so difficult to understand that Michael wants his girl safe?” Kai asked, his tone gentler.
“Maybe,” I admitted, turning my head to look at him. “But maybe you guys could talk to me like a person instead of manhandling me? Is that possible?”
Kai’s eyes softened, and his gaze lingered on me. I held my breath, a moment passing, I think, where we were both remembering last night.
The car was suddenly too small.
Will pulled up in front of Delcour, and I hopped out, grabbing my bag.
“I’m going to check her apartment,” I heard Kai tell Will. “You go park.”
I slammed the door, giving the doorman a quick smile as he opened the building’s door for me. Kai followed behind as I walked to the elevator and pressed the button.
“You don’t have to come up,” I insisted. “I’m quite capable of locking myself in.”
He exhaled a quiet laugh. “It won’t be too long. Michael will come by later to keep you company, I’m sure.”
I stepped into the elevator as soon as the doors opened, pressing twenty-one. I knew Michael was at practice, which is why he’d sent the guys after me, but I wasn’t sure I’d let him in the door later.
What was worse than him coddling me was sending his friends to do it, as well.
Once in my apartment, Kai walked ahead, searching all the rooms and checking the rear exit and balcony doors.
“Everything looks fine,” he said, strolling back across the living room and checking the locks on the front door.
“Of course it does,” I replied. “Trevor’s in Annapolis, and Damon is probably drunk and buried under an endless supply of teenage hookers in New York City.”
He grinned, holding the door open and standing on the threshold.
But then his eyes came to rest on me, looking thoughtful, before slowly falling down my body. His gaze lingered long and intense, and I froze, feeling the heat on my thighs and down my legs.
He looked back up at me. “I cou
ld stay with you if you want,” he offered, his voice deep and husky.
I tilted my lips in a half-smile, approaching him. “And what would we do?”
A sexy smirk adorned his beautiful face. “Maybe order food,” he hinted and then cast a longing glance down my body again, “or have something to drink?”
I came up and held the door. “Or maybe…you’re testing me. Seeing if I’ll invite you in behind Michael’s back.”
“Why would I test you?”
“Because you love Michael more than me,” I shot back.
He dropped his eyes, smiling. “Maybe,” he answered, reaching out and brushing his thumb across my chin. “Or maybe I liked it. Maybe I’d like to see what it’s like having you to myself this time.”
I cocked an eyebrow, giving him a knowing look.
He dropped his hand and broke out in a quiet laugh. “Sorry. I had to make sure.”
I stared at him patiently, knowing exactly what he was doing.