Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 102708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
He struck his father again.
“You’re going to fucking kill him!”
Another hit to his face.
“Kraven! He’s fucked up! It’s not going to take much! Please listen to me!”
He didn’t.
Not for a second, punching him over and over again.
“Please, Kraven! You’ll go to jail this time! I can’t lose you too!”
With his fist midair, he abruptly stopped. Both of us were panting profusely. His eyes remained wild and brazen as we took in one another. After a few seconds, he lowered his fist, shoving Joe to the ground before standing. We never took our intense, crazed stares off of each other.
In seconds, a certain understanding that hadn’t been there before this happened unexpectedly made itself known, and that truth was almost too much to handle.
Kraven didn’t put up a fight until Joe offended me.
He wasn’t fighting for revenge; he was fighting himself, believing every accusation Joe threw at him.
I stumbled back, his truths crashing down on me.
Kraven’s stare shifted to Joe, warning, “If you think I killed Melody, what do you think I’ll do to you? If you ever come back to this house, I won’t let her stop me next time. Do you understand me?”
He groaned in response, and it was all Kraven needed to hear. With that, he gripped the collar of his shirt and threw his ass out the front door. I watched through the window as Joe’s body rolled down the driveway.
“Kraven—”
He slammed the door shut and locked it behind him. He didn’t move, resting his forehead on the hard wood to hold himself up.
I never ached to know his thoughts like I did right then. It was painful.
My hand flew to my heart, where it pounded against my chest.
“Kraven, I…”
I stopped myself, unsure of everything. More than ever, I longed to be his comfort.
His relief.
His refuge.
Home.
“Kraven,” I whispered. “I’m so sorry… I should’ve—”
He turned, facing me and rendering me speechless. His back slid down the door until he sat with his knees up and his arms placed over them. He was reluctant to look at me at first.
I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out. I was afraid my voice would betray me if I spoke, hurting him further.
He was desperately trying not to lose it on me.
Except this time, I wanted him to.
I wanted it all.
His anger too.
I deserved it.
He’d been my only stability for the past month. I’d forgotten what it was like to stand on my own, without the safety he provided. It resided deep in my bones, bringing back the same sense of ease and familiarity with his presence.
His hair had fallen around his face, framing it perfectly. Accentuating the intensity of his Caribbean-blue eyes, boring deep into mine.
When the quiet became too loud, he shared, “I never wanted you to see me like that again. I promised myself I’d never let you witness what you saw with Justin. Fuck… I’m so sorry, Kitty.”
I made my way over to him, dropping to my knees to get close to his face. “It’s alright, Kraven.”
“No, it’s not, Isla. I keep fucking up with you, and it’s the last thing I want to do.” He bowed his head, erupting into a flood of emotions.
He needed me.
Wanted me.
I had to be there for him.
He’d done so much for me. It was the least I could do. I couldn’t imagine what he was going through, hearing his father say all his biggest insecurities. He’d baited Kraven so crudely and with no remorse whatsoever.
He came there to hurt him.
End of story.
It was all too much.
His mom.
Julius.
Running into Mrs. Bates.
Now his dad.
All the emotions poured out of his heart and his soul, bleeding into mine. Tears began to fall down my cheeks. I was unable to hold them back any longer. He didn’t think twice about it. He grabbed me under my arms and carried me over to him, making me straddle his lap.
He caged me in, holding my face between his hands. He kissed all over, wiping my tears away with his lips.
“Please, Kitty…” he pleaded. “Say something…”
I gazed profoundly into his eyes, repeating, “I’m so sorry, Kraven.”
“Just make it go away… Please, Kitty… I’m begging you… just make it all go away…”
I did the only thing I could think of.
The only thing that felt right in a moment that was all wrong.
I gripped the back of his neck…
And kissed him.
CHAPTER
FIFTY-ONE
ISLA
My lips parted, beckoning him to follow, and he did.
I knew we were playing with fire, but I craved the sting. Igniting the flame with just one kiss. The line didn’t exist anymore, and kissing him felt like breathing again.
He growled from deep within his chest. It was primal, urgent, and heady.
Wrapping his arms around my back, he sat us up and then lowered my body onto the stairs behind me to get on top of me. My mind scrambled with thoughts and feelings I couldn’t control, mark, or even begin to comprehend.