Page 23 of Blood (A Killer’s Love #4)

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Samantha

Scratching my nail on the tabletop, I glance around the room.

Why the fuck am I here?

The bar is full and loud, but that’s what I need. What I don’t need is handsy Jasper joining me at my table.

I roll my eyes at the nickname. The man can’t help himself. His clammy hand lands on mine, making me cringe. He really does have a problem.

The house is too crowded with my brothers and their families there. I love my family, I do. But five adults and two children are too much, at least when I’m in this mood.

Sliding my hand from beneath Jasper’s, I tilt my phone toward me. Nothing. No missed calls or texts.

Kaleb hasn’t reached out once since I last saw him.

Because you went psycho and scared him off.

For the millionth time since Dad told us the cabin was off-limits, I think about calling Kaleb. Dad said he’s okay, but I’d rather hear it for myself. No, I’d rather see it for myself.

“You wanna get out of here?”

I look at Jasper like he has three heads. What are people in this town smoking?

“No,” I say, shaking my head with a scrunched face.

“I think that’s enough for you, Jasper.”

Jasper and I look behind him where Kyle Cooper stands with his hand clamped on Jasper’s shoulder.

“You’re not a cop anymore, Cooper, so fuck off. She’s sitting in a bar alone; she wants to go home with someone.”

Gross.

“Or she wanted a drink.”

“Or that,” I agree, toasting my mostly empty glass toward Cooper.

“Take a hike, Jasper.”

“The lady and I were talking.” Jasper huffs.

“Really? Because to me, it looked like you sat with her, and she was ignoring you.”

Jasper looks between us but eventually gets up, knocking into the chair next to him. Sloppy and drunk.

“Thanks.” I smile at Cooper.

“Don’t thank me yet,” he replies, holding his arm high to get the server’s attention. Once he has it, Cooper signals that we want two more beers.

He sits in Jasper’s vacated seat; an awkward silence settles.

“How have you been?” I ask.

“Better,” he answers, his eyes watching the server.

“I’m sorry about you losing your job.”

Cooper shrugs. “It’s been a few years. I’m over it.”

“We haven’t exactly spoken since.”

I feel him before I see him. Goose pimples spread over my body, my nipples bead, and the hair on the nape of my neck tingles.

Kaleb’s here.

My eyes drift around the bar. He’s at the doorway, and he’s furious.

I look behind me to see what he’s glaring at, but it’s just the usual—people drinking, dancing, and being too much.

I turn back to face Kaleb.

He’s walking toward me. My chest rises and falls quickly, my little black dress suddenly feeling restrictive and tight on my chest.

Where has all the air gone?

Kyle sneers when Kaleb comes to a stop next to our table. But he doesn’t look at Cooper. His eyes haven’t left me.

Of all the shit I’ve pulled over the years, Kaleb has never looked at me with such rage. Not even when I totaled his car.

Normally, I’d enjoy seeing him this riled, and thrive in having his full attention, but I don’t feel the usual satisfaction. Mainly because I don’t know what I did wrong.

“You have to be fucking joking.”

I look around again just to be sure he’s talking to me. Yep.

“Have you lost your fucking mind?” Kaleb hisses.

“Hey, now. The lady can do what she wants,” Cooper states, starting to stand from his chair.

That gets Kaleb’s attention.

“Sit back down before I make you.”

People from nearby tables have started to look, and my earlier confusion is replaced by embarrassment and anxiety.

“Kaleb . . .” I start.

“Not a fucking word,” he orders; his finger held up to me.

“We were just having a drink.” Cooper smirks. His face changes just for a second, but I see it. No longer the sweet guy coming to the rescue, he’s enjoying this. Kaleb’s anger is what he wants.

I open my mouth to reassure Kaleb that nothing was going on, but before I can, he takes a step toward me, bending his large body until his shoulder is at my stomach and then bounds an arm around my thighs.

I give a startled scream as I’m thrown over his shoulder.

A cheer goes through the bar.

Can you die from embarrassment?

I don’t fight him for fear of causing even more of a scene. Instead, I feel tears build as we leave the building. Humiliated.

I am never speaking to Kaleb again. Asshole.

My body slides against his as he lowers me. It takes everything I have not to kick him in the balls.

“Of all the men in this town.” He shakes his head. “That man hates us, and you’re out here trying to fuck him. Get in the car, Samantha.”

“I went for a drink, Jasper sat at the table, and Kyle came over to help. He was being nice. Something you’d know absolutely nothing about.”

Dropping into the passenger seat, I reach for the door handle and slam the door before he can stop me.

Kaleb closes his eyes, tilting his face toward the sky. It looks like he’s trying to calm himself, like I’m not the injured party here. What’s he got to be mad about, other than being such a dick?

As he rounds the car, I see Cooper standing at the bar door watching us.

The inside of the car stays silent as we head out of the lot.

“You really think he did that to be kind? We got him fired!” he reminds me.

“I didn’t,” I stress, poking my chest.

“Fine. Daniel, Dad, Michael, and I are the reason that asshole isn’t a cop anymore. He fucking hates us. And by us, I do mean you as well,” he clarifies.

He’s right. I know he is, I saw Cooper’s face, but after that exit, every fiber of my being tells me to argue and not let him win.

“Who I have drinks with is not your business.”

“The fuck it’s not,” he argues, taking his eyes off the road to glance at me. “Everything you do is my business, Samantha.”

“Do you have any idea what you just did back there?” I ask, pointing back in the direction of the bar.

“Yes.” He nods. “I stopped you from fucking the one guy in this town that needs stabbing.”

Shock rolls through me at his words.

“How can you say that? After everything that happened at your house?”

Kaleb sighs, wiping a hand over his exhausted face.

My dad’s words of Kaleb going to the cabin to rest ricochet in my head.

“Here I am, fighting with myself about letting you have the space you need and just taking the reins like you obviously need me to, and you’re out here trying to fuck the closest loser.”

“You’re a dick, you know that?” I ask, my voice thick with emotion. Instead of backing down, I hit back. “Who I fuck is none of your concern either.”

“Seeing as my cum was dripping out of that pretty pussy of yours not that long ago, I think it is my concern.”

My heart stops at his words.

“Stop the car.”

“Sam,” he sighs.

But I don’t want to hear it.

“Stop the fucking car!” I scream.

I need to be away from him. Now. Throwing the car door open, I jolt forward when the car screeches to a halt. Thank God for seat belts.

“Woman, you’re fucking crazy!”

No, you just drive me mad!

Releasing the belt, I practically fall out of the car. I don’t respond. I don’t even look back at him. I just leave the passenger door wide open and run.

We’re only a few streets away from the house, so I cut through a few yards and don’t stop until I’m safely away from him. Tears stream down my face.

I hate him.

I hate me.

I hate us.