3. CHAPTER 3

3

JULES

Three hours of driving and overthinking later, I’m sitting in my car— which happens to be the love of my life —staring out of the window at the local police station, questioning if this was a bad idea. Jenny texted me the address last night, and I plan to go straight to see her after I pick up Kai. I have no idea what to expect from him. Will he be an asshole? Difficult? Or will he be embarrassed? Shy? Who the fuck knows. I barely knew Kai as a kid, so I have no idea how this will go. As Lev pointed out, I’m technically about to collect a stranger. Guilt builds at the years I’ve missed in his and Jenny’s life. Maybe I could’ve made a difference, but I’m hardly the best role model.

Exiting my car, I enter the police station and take in the worn-down building. Faded yellow-stained paint peels off the walls and scuffs adorn the floors to the point that you can no longer tell what color it actually was when it was first laid. The air smells stale, like old coffee and sweat. The constant sound of phones ringing and loud chatting makes my head ache instantly. This place is enough to make anyone insane. I approach the desk where the plexiglass panels separate me and the disinterested cop that is sitting behind it, waiting for me to speak first.

“I’m here to collect Kai Miller,” I say to the balding cop who looks like he wants to be anywhere but here.

“His mom finally given up?” he says as he pulls out some paperwork before grabbing his keys.

“No. She’s just busy,” I say defensively, not liking the insinuation that my step-sister has given up on Kai.

“Not judgin’ ya son, but you gonna have to keep him on the straight and narrow. He comes back here again, and he’ll be facing time.”

“Don’t worry. He won’t be back,” I say with misplaced confidence. How the fuck do I know he won’t be back? But baldy ignores me and disappears out of the door at the back of the office.

About twenty minutes later, a buzz on the door leading into the reception area has me jumping up out of the uncomfortable plastic bucket seat to be greeted by baldy and a tired looking Kai. Butterflies dance in my stomach as I take in the man standing in front of me. The boy I remember has gone and in his place is this tall, broad, and handsome man. I would never have recognized him. My mouth feels like it’s full of cotton as we stare at each other, as I try to work out what to say. The cop clears his throat, urging this little reunion along.

“I don’t wanna see ya back here, Kai. Get away from those fuck-ups you hang around with and make a life for yourself.”

Kai ignores him as baldy leaves us both alone in the waiting area, assessing me from top to toe, his big blue eyes filled with weariness and curiosity. I move forward toward him, and follow my instincts and pull him into a hug. A hug that immediately connects my soul back to the family I’ve missed, the ones that mattered the most, that I let down.

“Good to see you, Kai,” I say into his hair as his arms grip around my waist, melting into my arms like it’s the first time he’s been touched. A soft sigh leaves his body as he snuggles into my neck. I’m only an inch or so taller than him, so we fit together well. Why does this feel so natural?

“Good to see you too, Uncle Jules.”

I pull away and smile at him, memories of when he used to call me that as a kid. For some reason it doesn’t fit anymore, him calling me Uncle. I haven’t earned the right to be called that. I mean, Christ, we don’t know each other.

“Call me Jules. We’re too close in age for you to be calling me Uncle. Makes me feel like a fossil.”

Kai grins at me, highlighting a boyish charm that's both captivating and endearing. He’s definitely hardened over the years, but his eyes still carry the angelic light of purity. A deep dimple in his right cheek grabs my attention and I get a strong urge to touch it. Weird .

“Come on, we need to go see your mom before we leave.”

I pull away and take in the frown of confusion on Kai’s face.

“What do you mean, leave?”

Shit. I thought Jenny had told him.

“You’re coming back to Grinston with me. My boss has agreed to take you on, on a trial basis. We thought it’d be a chance for you to start afresh.”

“And I get no say? I’m a grown man, not a child,” he says, his tone scolding and stubborn. The light in his eyes is replaced by a dullness that I hate to see. While I can sympathize, his attitude is not welcome. I don’t do well with dramatic behavior or having my orders questioned and ignored. I clench my fists as I try to hold onto my composure. In other circumstances, his response would have me go nuclear on him.

“Well, if you acted like an adult, your mother wouldn’t have called me. You will come with me, Kai, and we will sort your life out. If not for yourself, you will do this for your mom.”

“I don’t have to do shit,” he spittles into my face, hardly an inch between us. I tense my jaw, trying hard to remain calm, but the rising annoyance of his tone has my temper flare. I like to be in control, to be the problem solver, and this kind of bitchy behavior flips my switch from composed to irate. It’s fair to say I’m a control freak. I’m the boss here and he needs to fucking respect that.

I grab him by the back of the neck and forcefully push my forehead into his, asserting dominance. He needs authority, guidance, rules, and a firm hand.

“That’s where you’re wrong, little nephew . You either come willingly or screaming as I tie you up and put you in my trunk. Don’t fuck with me, I’ve dealt with way worse than your bitchy attitude,” I whisper harshly, putting more pressure on his neck to get the message across. I move back a little and wait for his reaction. His wide blue eyes are glassy as he glares at me. The desperation to argue with me is clear from the tension in his jaw, but he doesn’t.

“Now, are you coming? Or shall I get some cable ties?”

If I didn’t know any better, I would say that Kai was tempted to stamp his feet. But he manages to contain it and grits his teeth, with a glare that could kill.

“ Fine . Let’s go.”

Kai pulls away and barges past me, knocking my shoulder with his as I grin at his attitude and his caving to my demands. I’m not sure why, but it feels like an achievement. A simmering bubble of excitement rushes through me at his compliance, when the doors slam behind him.

I follow him outside and lead him over to my car.

“Wow, nice wheels,” he says in an excited appraisal of my baby, a total shift from his shitty mood. He gently glides his long slim fingers over the hood. My car is my pride and joy. A beast of steel and chrome, the sleek black body glinting in the winter sun. The aggressive grill and long hood give it a predatory look, an unmistakable presence on the road.

“Thanks. So, is there anywhere we can grab a coffee?”

“I thought we were going back to Mom’s?”

“That can wait. Probably best for you to relax a little before we go back, and we can catch up.”

“That’s gonna be one long catch-up, Jules. I haven’t seen you since I was a kid.”

“I know. But now’s the time for moving forward.”

“I suppose. There’s a decent diner on the other side of town we can go to.”

“Awesome.”

We get into the car and relax into the sumptuous black leather sport seats as the V8 engine revs to growling life, and Kai directs me to the diner.