18. HOLDEN

HOLDEN

I drive back to the shop, leaving Watson behind on the side of the road and without her hands tracing shapes under my shirt against my skin. Instead they stay gripped onto my vest. I know the conversation I have to have with her when we get back. It’s going to be a long night, and even though the adrenaline is wearing off and the exhaustion is seeping in, I’m willing to spend the next ten hours explaining the shit show that my life has turned into.

The minute we pull back into the shop parking lot, I clock Cole sitting at the top of the stairs that lead to Kadence’s apartment. A sigh leaves me as I back my bike into my usual spot. Once again I help her off the bike and with the helmet as she glances over at the apartment.

“How mad do you think he is?” She asks softly, her hand slipping into mine.

I shrug. “With you? Probably not at all.”

“And with you?”

I suck in a breath, “Cole has different… expectations for me.” Which isn’t too far from the truth. Cole does have different expectations for me and at times expects way too much from me.

“Where the hell were you?” Cole calls from the top of the stairs before descending them, “Blake said you both snuck off like a couple of teenagers. What the hell were you thinking?”

I scoff. “I was thinking we’re both grown adults and needed a break from dinner.”

“So you just… what? Decide to take off with the one person you haven’t stopped bitching about since she got here?” Cole snaps.

“Cole–” Kadence steps forward, her hand still tucked into mine. It’s then Cole realizes we’re holding hands. His gaze flickers from our interlocked fingers to her and then to me.

A wild laugh escapes his lips. “You have to be fucking kidding me, Nash.” His hands find his hips as he glances back down at Kadence. “So what lie did he tell you to get you alone, hmm?” His head cocks to the side, “because I know you’re smarter than that.”

“Brother, I love you but you better watch the way you’re talking to her.” I step up to him, her hand falling from mine. “I’m not in the fucking mood to deal with your holier-than-thou bullshit tonight.”

“Welcome to my fuckin’ world.” Cole fumes. “Stokes called by the way, so thanks for that.”

My face crumples into disgust as I step back from my friend. “I don’t know when you started caring more about that asshole’s opinion, but I won’t warn you again. Watch the fuckin’ tone.”

“Or what?” Cole taunts pushing the little patience I have left tonight. “You’ll take over the club? Because you can’t even take care of yourself lately, what the fuck makes you think you’ll be able to take care of a club?”

“Guess we’ll have to find out, won’t we?” I growl back, not meaning it at all, but if he’s going to be taking low blows tonight, so am I.

I move to step around Cole, reaching out for Kadence again until I feel the crunch of a fist against my cheekbone. My body stumbles backward and to the side as I feel something warm drip from my cheek. I reach up, feeling the red sticky liquid leaking from the new gash.

“Cole!” Kadence yells, rushing to my side. “What the hell is wrong with you!”

“He’s what’s fuckin’ wrong with me!” Cole yells back, shaking out his hand and flexing his fingers to ward off the pain.

I stand, glancing down at her. Shaking my head as she lifts her fingers to the broken skin. “I’m fine,” I whisper, wrapping my hand gently around her wrists. My gaze lifts to Cole, “If you’re expecting me to hit you back, you better not hold your breath.”

Cole just stares back at me, anger fuming between us and long overdue unspoken words threatening to spill out. His eyes cast to Kadence, staring at her like he expects more from her.

“I hope you know what you’re getting into with him.”

“I can handle myself, Cole,” she says, and I feel pride swell within me again, unable to help the way the corners of my mouth upturn slightly.

Cole just laughs at her, making my blood boil more than it already is. “Tell that to the scared little girl who’s been occupying my office.”

“I don’t know who gave you the claim over me Cole, but it sure as hell wasn’t me. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, but you aren’t my father.” She steps up to him. “So I think it’s best we go to bed and revisit whatever dick-measuring contest you two clearly need to have in the morning.”

She turns back to me, “I’m going to bed. Join me or not, but we’re still having that conversation either way.”

I nod. “I’m right behind you.”

Kadence nods in response, stepping around Cole’s hulking frame, and makes her way up the stairs. I watch her, waiting until she’s inside and the door is shut before I snatch Cole by the collar of his vest.

“Hit me again, O’Neil, and you’ll find out just how easy it is to lose this club.” I seeth at my friend, staring back at him without words. I’m not sure if the threat’s real or not and I know Cole is questioning it but we both know that I’ve gotten us into shit that’s going to be a fucking hell storm to get out of.

I release him before making my way up the stairs and knocking on the apartment door as Cole makes his way across the lot to the clubhouse. The door swings open, and Kadence meets me in her tank top and jeans. She gazes up at me. I can see the exhaustion in her face and though I want to tell her everything, she needs the rest.

She moves aside, letting me into the apartment. I step inside and turn back to her, watching as she shuts the door and locks it. Good girl I think, before taking a step towards her.

Her hand comes between us, stopping me before pointing to the bed. “Sit.”

I do as I’m told, watching her carefully as she moves past me. Kadence begins searching the cupboards, opening and closing the doors until she stops. I can see her pull a rag from the shelf and close the door before taking it over to the sink and letting it run under the water.

After a moment she rings out the excess water and turns to me before moving to stand in front of me. I glance up at her, my eyes never leaving hers as I part my thighs letting her slide between them.

She gingerly grasps my chin, turning my gashed cheek to her. My hands find the backs of her thighs, squeezing them gently as she makes her assessment. I’m surprised when she doesn’t flinch away from me, instead just runs her thumb gently over the bruised and red skin. With furrowed brows she inspects it before raising her other hand and swiping away the now thick and sticky blood from my cheek.

The towel is colder than I would like, making me wince as the water hits the particularly tender spots on my cheek. I stare up at her, making a mental roadmap of her features in case this is the last time I’ll be able to see them.

“Thank you,” I whisper as she nods, moving to sit next to me and tossing the rag into the small sink.

Her eyes meet mine. “What happened tonight?”

I turn cupping her face, tongue running along my bottom lip, “You became my first priority.” I lean in pressing my forehead to hers, my eyes sliding closed. “Watson’s threats weren’t empty,” I whisper. “I’ll explain everything, but I need you to promise to help me keep you safe.”

“Holden…”

“Please.” There’s that plea again. “Just promise me.” Tonight is the first night I fully and completely believe that Becca’s death was not an accident and it terrifies me to have so many unanswered questions.

I open my eyes to meet hers, praying that she’ll just say the words. For once not fight me, but just…trust me.

Kadence slides her hand to the back of my neck and I feel myself once again lean into her. Her lips part and as she sucks in a breath she begins nodding softly.

“I promise.”