I would have broken his neck if that was really what she wanted, but I knew she didn’t. She hated Scott Montez, but I knew deep down all she really wanted was for the man to care enough to put her first. We both knew that would never happen, though. Her actor/director father was too narcissistic for that. He barely remembered Kin existed.
“Who is the bimbo with him?”
She pressed her lips together for a moment before blowing out a rough sigh. “Jillian’s replacement. She wants a spring wedding,” she mocked with a shake of her head.
“Why does she look familiar?”
“Probably because she’s Shannon Stewart.”
“The bitch he was cheating with a while back?” Kin nodded, her lips pressing into a hard line. “I’m assuming since you knew about the spring wedding thing, you spoke to them earlier. What did you think of her?”
She lifted her shoulders in a careless shrug, but she couldn’t hide the flash of pain that crossed her face. I touched her back, stroking my fingers over her shoulder through the silky material of her top. She shivered, leaning into my touch, unconsciously seeking the comfort I offered.
“She seemed nice,” Kin said after a small pause, as if she couldn’t help herself. She wanted to be mad at me, but she knew she could tell me what she was feeling and what had happened without judgment. “But if she’s as blindly in love with Scott as she appears, then I fear for her mental health. Or maybe she’s just a really good actress and wants people to think she’s in love with him. I don’t know.”
Jenna and Angie moved past us, holding hands and whispering to ea
ch other.
“You’re leaving?” Kin whined, making the couple pause.
Angie leaned down to hug her stepsister. “Call me when you get home. If I don’t see you tomorrow, we’ll see you at the baby shower Sunday.” Her eyes landed on me as she straightened. The glare should have frozen me solid on the spot, but it had no power over me. I was beside the only person who mattered, and I would endure even Angie’s shit for Kin.
“If you need us, call,” Jenna told Kin, pulling Angie away. “And that’s the last beer you’re getting. I already told Lucy you are cut off.”
“I was done anyway,” Kin called after her. “I need a clear head.”
As they disappeared into the crowd, her attention went back to the bar. I glanced back over at the couple still talking to that guy. Of the three of them mixed in with the others at the bar, Scott looked out of place.
The guy needed to grow up and start acting his age. I hated the fucker for hurting Kin for so long, and if I knew she really wanted me to knock his ass out, I would have done it years ago. But she’d always stopped me, and I’d realized she didn’t want to cause her father actual physical pain.
The guy with her father looked over his shoulder, and Kin’s breath hitched. I knew in my gut he was looking right at her. Guys checked her out all the time, and I saw that same hungry look in their eyes every single damn time.
But there was something different in the air when his eyes landed on her.
Because she was looking right back.
Was this guy what had held her attention the entire time?
It was like a switch was flipped inside me. Jealousy spiked white-hot and stronger than anything I’d ever felt in my life. “What the fuck?” I growled, grasping her chin and forcing her to meet my gaze. Guilt flashed in her beautiful eyes before she blinked, and the guilt turned into anger. “Who the hell is he, Kin?”
She jerked away from me, slapping my hand away. “Fuck off.”
I jumped to my feet and grabbed her arm without thinking. That part of my brain was turned off. I needed to get her out of there, away from that motherfucker, and back in my arms. I needed to sink so deep inside her, she didn’t have a choice but to remember I was the only one to ever make her come on my cock. The only man to ever claim her sweetness. It was mine and mine alone. “Let’s go. We need to talk. Now.”
She didn’t move, so I pulled her up forcefully, instantly attracting everyone’s attention around us. Kin slapped at my hand that was locked around her wrist like a steel band. “Let me go, Jace. I’m not going anywhere with you when you’re like this. Let. Me. Go.”
“Kin.” Desperation made my voice harsh. I’d seen the look on her face when she met that guy’s gaze. I knew it well, but I had only ever seen it directed at me. It was killing me, my body already breaking out in a sweat, and I realized I might actually lose her for good. “We’re leaving. Walk, or I’ll carry you.”
“Jace.” Lucy’s voice drilled into me, trying to reason with me. “This isn’t going to solve anything. Let her go.”
I ignored her. “Why the fuck were you looking at that douchebag? Who is he?”
“None of your business.” She finally pried my pinkie free and pulled it back. It hurt like hell, but I didn’t release her. I couldn’t. My fucking life was on the line, and I was a desperate man. “Jace, you asshole, leave me alone.”
“Jace!” Kassa was behind me now, slapping at my other arm, trying to shake me off. “What the hell are you doing? Stop manhandling her!”
“Stay out of it,” I snapped at my sister without taking my eyes off Kin. “This has nothing to do with you.”