Page 60 of Kings Don't Break

The doorbell trills through the house to no answer. I glance at the patrol car and Escalade parked in the double car driveway. He’s home.

Blake loses patience and smashes his finger into the button of the doorbell a second time.

The curtains rustle from the second story window that’s the master bedroom. He’s seen us. He’s simply… refusing to answer.

I sigh and turn to go. “We should leave.”

“Hell nah,” Blake says. His hand closes into a fist and he beats on the door like he’s the police, not the man whose door he’s banging on.

It snaps open mid pound. Ken’s scowling, his nostrils flaring and his left eye giving a subtle twitch every few seconds. His tight-lipped mouth pulls back to bare his teeth at us.

“Is there a reason why you’re pounding on the door of my home at ten in the morning?”

Blake steps toward him like he’s about to bump chests with him. “We’re here to collect Korine’s things. Move aside and let us in and there won’t be no trouble.”

Ken ignores him. His eyes flick over to me, alight with icy malice. “You’re unbelievable. Bringing these people to our home. How could you do this to me?”

“I just want my things.”

He throws his head back in laughter. “Your things? Your things are my things! I bought you every damn thing you own, Kor. Including that Geo Metro you’ve been driving around in. I expect it returned.”

“Move out of the fucking way.”

Blake bulldozes past the threshold with a swipe of his arm. Ken’s knocked sideways by several steps, clearing the path for Blake. The others and I quickly follow.

The once quiet house fills with noise and movement. Mason and Sydney help direct the guys on what I’ve said I needed help packing my and Mama’s things. Blake’s grabbed hold of my hand and leads me upstairs to the bedroom I once shared with Ken.

“Go ahead,” he says, letting go. He takes up post in the doorway, a thinly veiled attempt to keep Ken out and ensure I have some privacy. “Get all your things.”

I don’t hesitate grabbing anything of mine within reach and stuffing my duffle bag. My passport, birth certificate, reading glasses, medications, and so many other things get shoved into the bag until it’s so full Blake’s coming over to remove it from my shoulder. I move onto the other bags I’ve brought with me and fill those too.

Clothes. Shoes. Underwear. Skincare and haircare stuff.

When I’m unsure there’s much else I can snag, I turn to Blake with a relieved smile. “That’s all. He can keep everything else.”

“You sure about what you’re doing, Kor. Think real carefully.”

Blake and I glance over at the doorway to find Ken’s wandered up. His glare’s laser-focused on me, his face a tight mask of scorn. He’s barely containing himself, barely managing to not explode in a fit of rage like he normally would.

Only Blake and the MC’s presence keeps him in check.

“Get the fuck away from her!” Blake growls.

“This is my house.”

“I don’t give a fuck! You’re lucky you haven’t been knocked out.”

Tension cinches the air. Invisible but unbearable.

Blake abandons my side on a pulse of explosive anger. In a couple short strides he’s coming up on Ken with his fists ready for violence.

“Blake, don’t!”

He stops himself only within five feet of Ken.

Ken’s glower thaws into a small smile. “She’s got you trained. Her own personal attack dog. This is your last chance,” he says, glancing back at me. An eerie quality develops in his tone. “You walk out that door with him, you will come to regret it.”

His words stay with me the rest of the way home to Blake’s trailer. They echo inside my head. When I close my eyes, I see the loathing frozen in his gaze. The same face he always has when he’s doling out his punishments.