Kash
THE SECOND I WALKED OUTSIDE to see that asshole handling Eden with force, I was ready to rip his throat out with no questions asked.
That kind of shit works me up and pushes me past my boiling point like nothing else.
I will not stand for that shit and my heart is still racing from rage, everything in me wanting to kill that son of a bitch for touching her.
He’s lucky she’s safe in the car with me and that Kass and Lane were there to pull my ass off. There’s no telling how far it would’ve gotten and I would’ve hated Eden having to witness the violence.
Without hesitation, I reach over and grab Eden’s hand, pulling it into my lap, this need to comfort her taking over.
I feel a slight tug from her as if she’s not sure she wants me holding her hand, but the moment, I rub my thumb over her hand, it relaxes in my lap.
“Has he ever put his hands on your son?” I ask the question, not giving a shit if it’s crossing the line.
I need to know this in case I see that fucker again. I have no problem sending him a bigger message than I did tonight.
“No,” she says quickly. “Of course not. I’d kill that son of a bitch myself if that ever happened and he knows it. He’d never be allowed near either of us for as long as he’s breathing.”
I relax a bit. “And what about you? Has he ever hit you? Please, don’t lie to me either. I know how men like him are. He didn’t give a shit about holding you against your will back there.”
It’s quiet as she lets out a small breath and leans her head back into the seat. “If you mean swinging at me, then no. If you mean him holding me against the wall or dragging me into him and holding me there, then I can’t say no about that. He’s a possessive man and he’s used to getting what he wants.”
“Fucking piece of shit.” Anger boils up in me, causing me to squeeze her hand and pull it further into my lap as if to protect her, even though he’s not around. “And he still wants you?” That thought for some reason pisses me the hell off.
“In some ways . . . yes. We were together for seven years. He had it in his crazy mind that I’d never leave him. That I would stick around and put up with him cheating on me and never being home to help me take care of our child.” She pauses for a second and then turns to face me, her hand squeezing mine this time as if she’s the one getting angry now. “He expects me to still have sex with him and only him even though we’re not together. He’s a delusional asshole and we were never meant to date. I was young and stupid. Knight Stevens is a prick.”
I thought that asshole looked familiar. I’ve seen him fight before. Should’ve known it was him as soon as I heard Eden call him Knight. It’s not a very common name, but Stevens is what I know him by.
And she’s not wrong. He’s a fucking prick.
“So, let me get this shit straight?” I flex my jaw and fight to keep my cool before she really sees how angry this son of a bitch has me. “He goes around fucking any woman he wants and expects you to sit around and wait for him to come take you however and whenever he wants as if he owns you?”
“Like the asshole that he is. You would think Knight would know by now that I won’t play by his games. I’m not that girl and never have been.” She pulls her hand from mine and points out the window. “Turn left at the next block and go five houses down and it’s on the right side.”
I grip the steering wheel and do as she says, stopping in front of a small brick house.
I’m so worked up right now, that I just sit here in silence, gripping the steering wheel and flexing my jaw as she looks me over.
I hope like hell now that I get to fight him in a couple weeks, come the big fight.
“Thank you for driving me home, Kash. That was really nice of you.” She smiles when I reach over and undo her seatbelt. “Want to take my jeep back to the club and I’ll get a ride to pick it up tomorrow?”
I shake my head and turn my gaze to meet her eyes. They’re so damn beautiful and full of passion and I have no doubt I’ll be picturing them and wondering about her after I leave. “No. I need to get some air.”
With that, I jump out of the jeep and walk over to her side, opening the door right as she attempts to.
She gives me a surprised look and smiles as I close the door behind her. “I really appreciate you caring enough to stick up for me. There’s not a lot of guys out there like you.”
I smile slightly and gently grip the back of her neck, before I lean in close to her ear. “I know . . . and I’ll never be like the asshole you’re used to. I’m different, Eden. I’m not afraid to show you that.”
My breath against her ear has her shivering in my arms, before she finally grabs for her keys and pulls away, taking a step back.
We both just stand here looking at each other, until I finally speak again. “You have my number. Text me so I have yours.”
She nods her head and begins backing away to her house. I can sense the hesitation, as if she wants to ask me in, but knows she shouldn’t. “I think I can do that. Especially after what you just did for me.”
“Was hoping you’d say that.” Taking a chance, I grab her face and press my lips close to hers, hoping like hell it gives her something more to want later. The way she trembles slightly as I pull away shows me she likes my mouth so close to hers. “Goodnight.”
Smiling, she clears her throat and begins backing up. “Goodnight, Kash.”
I stay here, leaning against her jeep as I watch her disappear into the house and close the door.
After about fifteen minutes, I take off jogging, making my way back to the club.
If that asshole was going to show up and cause trouble tonight, he would’ve done it by now, wanting to hand me my ass for attacking him.
Maybe that means he’s smart enough not to cause trouble near his child.
That’s the only thing I can admire about this piece of shit.
Everything else I’ve heard about him makes me want to teach his ass what it’s like to be a real man.
By the time I make it back to the club, Kass is standing at the front by himself, smiling as he watches me fight to catch my breath.
“Your ass ran back to the club? How far does she live?”
I push past him. “About eight miles.”
“Well fuck. That’s a good guy there. Got your hero pants on and shit.”
I laugh a little and keep on walking, making my way inside and back behind the bar.
“Thanks for deciding to join us again. I’m sweating my ass off back here. Where have you . . .” Sara jumps down my throat but quickly laughs at me once she sees me covered in sweat. “Alright then. Should I ask you what happened?”
I shake my head and quickly jump back into taking orders to give Sara a break. “I’d rather you don’t. Not unless you want me breaking bottles against the wall by the end of the night.”
“Gotcha. Won’t ask.”
If I even think about that asshole handling her like that again, I’ll lose it all over again and not be able to function the rest of the night.
This run was exactly what I needed to cool off some.
The only thing that will make me cool off even more is if I get a text from Eden, taking me up on that date.
Or hell. Even to just let me know that asshole doesn’t show up at her place tonight.
I just hope like hell she uses my damn number . . .