Chapter 69

Ardal

Here we go.

My insides start to boil. I expect to see a look of jealous anger surface from within Kadeem - but instead, there's worry spread over his face. I let the fake smile fade from mine.

"I don't have solid details to share," he says, "But I have some information about him that's a little troubling."

I cross my arms over my chest. "What are you talking about?" My tone is slightly hostile, but I don’t try to hide it.

“Gloves off already, huh?” Kadeem regards me with a wry sort of hesitation.

“You’ve already made it abundantly clear you don’t like him,” I say. “Let’s just agree to disagree and leave it at that.”

“It’s not for my sake I’m bringing this back up,” he says. “I found out some more information yesterday and -“

I take a step forward, the words bursting from my mouth. “Why are you trying to wreck something good in my life?” I can barely choke out the last word, the painful hurt suddenly tumbling to the surface.

Kadeem’s face softens, but then he tenses up again. “Why are you so hellbent on even considering any opposing information about him?”

“Fine,” I shout, throwing my purse down on to the hood of the vehicle. I clench my jaw. “Tell me what you want me to know.”

“Rayburn’s working with my uncle,” Kadeem says, cautiously, as if steeling himself against my volatility. “He’s looking for some kind of powerful magical object.”

I roll my eyes, not allowing his accusation to sink in. “You expect me to believe that?“

Kadeem raises an eyebrow. “How well do you know Rayburn that you wouldn’t give what I’m saying a second thought?”

I throw my hands on my hips. “Because of who your information is probably coming from. Your uncle? Puh-leaze!” I laugh disbelievingly.

Kadeem regards me quietly. “What could you possibly have against my uncle, Chelsea?”

My heart hammers in my chest. I swallow, feeling as though I’ve been caught, finally, in my ruse. Do I dare admit the truth?

“Do you know him?” Kadeem scrutinizes me calmly as he waits for my reply, but holds his gaze steady, as if daring me to come clean with what I’m hiding from him.

I can feel myself panicking. Why did this conversation have to go there? Why can’t I just keep my mouth shut?

“No,” I stammer. “Of course I don’t know him. Not personally - but he has a reputation,” I say, gathering my swagger again in a defiant lie.

Kadeem tightens his lips and looks away for a moment before facing me once again. “Well, maybe you shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss,” he says, but there’s a hint of guilt behind his words. Is it possible he’s finally caught onto the fact that his uncle is basically Hamlet’s Claudius, rebranded?

“Lay it all out for me, then,” I say, wiping the tears from my eyes and slamming my purse on the hood of the vehicle. “Why would Jack be after some great object of power?”

Kadeem shrugs. “Your guess is as good as mine,” Kadeem says. “My uncle said it’s a healing stone.”

My body relaxes from all the, apparently unnecessary, drama, and I can’t help but chortle. “Oooh, okay. He sounds truly wicked. A doctor searching for a healing stone?”

“Well, I admit, my uncle’s not the most trustworthy. I doubt the reason for their connection, but -“

“-Then why are you even telling me at all?” I shake my head in exasperation at his foolishness.

Kadeem pauses and takes a step back before responding quietly, “Between the gammas and my conversation yesterday with my uncle, I know for certain that they are working together. What their plan really is, though? I wish I could tell you, but I can’t, other than - it worries me. I don’t think it’s good.”

I want to pulverize the key still in my hand.

“I don’t care,” I whisper, tears starting to fall again. “Jack sees me for me, and he is genuinely good to me and the kids!”

Kadeem looks taken aback by the flood of emotion on my face. “I’m sorry,” he says gently. “I don’t want to hurt you. I want to… keep you safe.”

My eyes widen and I bite my lip. I didn’t plan for a kind response back from him. For a second, I’m flummoxed, then enraged.

“I’m not yours to protect,” I spit out bitterly.

Kadeem’s jaw tightens. “Somebody has to look out for you!”

“Somebody is, now,” I yell. “And his name is Jack!”

Kadeem looks as though I’ve slapped him. Then, his eyes pierce into mine. “He’s deceiving you, and you’re falling for it!”

“Well, Mr. Know-It-All,” I begin, leaning in to match his furious gaze, “You should know all about falling for deception, seeing as though -“

Fuck. Shut up, Ardal.

“You… you…” I fizzle out, unable to find a way to finish my insult without giving too much away.

“What,” he snaps. His eyes are smoldering in anger, bringing his wolfish features to the surface.

“Just - just go to hell!” My heart is pounding in my chest.

“I’ll meet you there, sweetheart.”

His smug expression makes me want to vomit. I fly at him with all my strength, ready to tear into him, but he catches me instead.

He wraps his strong arms around my waist, pulling me in close. I can feel the heat radiating off of his body, and it sends a wave of longing through me.

Before I know what’s happening, my lips are locked with his. He presses his lips against mine with an intensity that takes my breath away.

I melt into him, forgetting everything else but him for a moment.

“Shot through the heart and you’re to blame -“

Suddenly, it feels like I’m submerged in ice-cold water. Kadeem wrenches away from me abruptly, snatching his phone from his pocket, his eyebrows knitted in frustration.

“Why can’t I remember to change this goddamn ringtone,” he hisses, his face wracked with irritation has he desperately tries to silence the blaring ringtone.

Something visibly shifts when Kadeem seems to notice who’s calling, halting him in his tracks.

Regret clouds his eyes as he looks up at me. “I’m sorry,” he says, firmly. “I’ve got to take this one.”

Typical.

Bitterness envelops me.

My stomach drops as he steps away, leaving me standing alone by the car and feeling oddly desolate. His eyes still flicker up at me in apology, but I feel wounded and raw all the same.

I grab my purse, but stop in my tracks when an urgent edge creeps into his voice as he speaks into the phone.

“Another one?“ He runs his fingers through his hair and begins to pace. “Tell me everything.” His voice is a sharp command.

Then he looks over at me, still waiting, like an idiot, for him.

“Hang on,” he says to the caller. He takes the phone off of his ear and strides towards me. “I’m sorry,” he says, and his intense expression seems genuine, but it doesn’t matter now. I just feel like a tossed-aside fool.

He smooths his fingers tenderly through my hair, and a shiver rolls down my spine. He leans in, as though to kiss me goodbye, but I jerk away.

“Never mind,” I say. “Your work comes first.”

A pained look comes over his face. “Chels,” he begins, but I’ve already unlocked and yanked open the car door.

Desperation enters Kadeem’s eyes. He clicks off the phone without another word said, then shoves it into his back pocket, while I throw my purse into the car, lobbing it wildly, so that it bounces against the passenger side window.

“I - it’s important pack business,” he says.

“I’m sure it is,” I say, slamming the door shut in his shocked face.

I veer wildly out of the parking lot, then speed like a demon back to the house where I finally let my head fall against the steering wheel and collapse into tears.