Page 32 of Blood (A Killer’s Love #4)

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Kaleb

I watch my girl fidget with the cushion in her lap. If she pulls that loose thread any harder, she’s going to unravel the stitching.

Speaking of things unravelling, her eyes widen when a cell phone chimes somewhere in the kitchen.

Why is she so jumpy? Maybe it’s time to go.

The sofa shifts below me, Charlie settles with the help of her husband’s hand on her elbow.

“Kaleb.” His gruff voice rumbles.

I look in the direction that he nods and frown. Michael is standing in the kitchen, stiff as a board, hands buried deep in his pants pocket.

Do they know? I eye the back door again. Only one way to find out.

Looking around the room, I try to think of an excuse to leave.

Charlie leans forward, distracting everyone by pointing out Rupert’s birthmark. Whatever is happening, my sister-in-law is in on it.

Taking my cue, I slip out unnoticed.

Michael looks back toward the house when Daniel and I walk into Dad’s workshop at the back of the yard.

“No one even knows we left. Too focused on that cute son of yours.” I smile at Daniel. “Something he gets from his uncle, obviously.”

“Obviously,” Daniel agrees.

His words stop me dead. Something’s wrong.

I glance between my brothers.

“I need you to remember where you are.”

I don’t respond to Michael’s words. At my silence, the two men share a look. Michael nods, and Daniel sidesteps, putting his large body in front of the door.

Michael wets his lips. “While Charlie and Samantha were upstairs, Sam got upset. She confided something.”

My eyes bulge. Oh shit, they do know.

“Cooper’s been bothering Sam. He knows about the two of you.”

I close my eyes. My heart drops into my stomach. I brace for impact, but nothing comes. Blinking, I furrow my brow. The full extent of his words registers, and any worries I had of being assaulted leave.

“Bothering. How?” I demand.

Michael clears his throat. “Texting. Taunting.” He shrugs. “Seems he took some photo of the two of you at the cabin.”

Rage rushes through me, roaring in my ears, drowning out most of Michael’s words, the odd one filtering through.

“Crying . . . scared . . . embarrassed.”

My chest heaves. It feels like I’m dragging sand through my lungs.

“I think she just needed to get it out.”

My hand shakes, and violence rages in me. The need to stab so overpowering, I do the only thing that I can . . . I give in.

Wrapping my fingers around the screwdriver on the workbench, I plunge it into the plaster board covered wall. Ripping it out, I stab over and over. When that’s not enough, I grab at anything and everything, launching objects around the room.

By the time I calm, I’m gasping for air.

How did this happen? And why the fuck did my girl not tell me?

“It’s going to be okay, Kaleb,” Michael reassures me from where he’s retreated to the corner.

“It will,” Daniel backs.

“We love you.”

I swallow at Michael’s declaration.

How?

A quick glance at their faces tells me it’s true. Taking a deep breath, I count to ten. Then twenty, then thirty.

“I need to leave,” I croak out.

“Don’t be too harsh on her,” Daniel orders, stepping aside from his post at the door. “She’s scared, but she told someone.”

I nod because it’s true. Would I have preferred Sam had confided in me? Yes, but I’m just glad she didn’t keep it to herself.

“He’s got to go,” I declare. I’ve had enough of this asshole.

“We’ll talk about it tomorrow.” Daniel slaps a hand on my shoulder. “Tonight, just focus on Samantha.”

They’re not going to disown me.

“I love you both, too,” I whisper, entering the main house.

Striding into the living room, I pick up Sam’s coat.

“Samantha, it’s time to go.” My words are short and sharp, but no matter how much I try to reel myself in, I can’t.

We need to leave.

“Aww,” she pouts, but it doesn’t have its usual effect. It just makes me want to get her alone quicker.

“It’s okay, sweetie. Sammy can just stay home tonight. You head on back to the cabin.” Mom smiles, completely oblivious to my impending breakdown.

I don’t know if it’s the look on my face or the tension radiating off me, but Sam stands quickly. “It’s getting late, anyway. I should go.”

Dad frowns. “Mention moving in to Shelby. See if she’s receptive to the idea.”

“Sure,” Sam agrees, shrugging into the coat I’m holding open.

It takes far too many hugs and kisses, but we’re out the door four minutes later.

Closing the passenger door, I relax a little. I’ll have her to myself soon. Rounding the car, I freeze.

My front tire is flat. My nostrils flare.

Fuck. Off.

“Everything okay, son?”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Tire’s flat,” I answer dryly.

A jingle of metal flies over the top of my car toward me. My right hand shoots up, catching the projectile before it can hit me in the face and really push me over the edge.

Unclenching my fingers, I stare down at a set of keys.

“Take my truck,” Daniel’s deep voice calls.

Waving my pointer finger in the general direction of the front door, I retrieve my girl from the car.

Giving a short explanation, I help Sam out of my car. “Tire’s flat. We’re taking Daniel’s truck.”

“Oh, we can change it now if you want? And by we, I mean you.” She smirks.

My lips twitch with the need to kiss her. No one calms me like she does.

“Not tonight. I just want to go home.”

Sam nods at my somber tone.

“Night,” I call out, giving a final wave to our family.