Page 154 of We Are Yours

Not for me but for Kraven.

He wouldn’t survive this.

The man who made him was also the man who’d destroy him in the end. Now if that wasn’t irony, I didn’t know what was. He was nothing like Melody, making me think physical abuse was involved as well. It’d make sense why Kraven always chose to fight as his first instinct. He watched it at home and possibly experienced it himself.

By the way he stood, I could tell this wasn’t their first rodeo in confrontation. I was more surprised by Kraven’s reaction than by their encounter.

Not an inch of my skin didn’t feel their hatred for each other, boiling from both Knightleys.

“You know she hated you,” Joe mercilessly baited. “She hated being a mother! She fucking despised it!”

Kraven swallowed hard, sweat pooling at his temples while his hands fisted at his sides. Finally, a reaction out of him. Though I didn’t know which one was worse, seeing something or seeing nothing.

“I wish she’d never had you! You’re nothing but a mistake! Do you hear me, boy? You’re a fucking mistake!”

Incapable of stopping myself, I ordered, “That’s enough!”

He ignored me, drowning in his temper. “I fucking hate you! Do you hear me? You took her away from me! If it weren’t for you, she’d still be here!” He harshly pointed at him. “You’re a fucking murderer!”

I stepped toward him, but Kraven put his arm over my stomach, holding me in place. Something predatory about the way he was guarding me, one arm wrapped around my torso, reminding me of a lion preparing to attack its prey.

It didn’t deter me from coming to his defense. “That’s not true!”

Still, Joe paid me no mind. “You and your brother are the reason she left me… You made her leave us… You’re so fucking needy… always demanding something! Never letting her relax! Enjoy life! Everything was always about you! You selfish little shit…”

His words were loud and clear.

“Yeah, asshole!” I bit. “That’s what children do! They cry, they whine, they complain! They’re babies! It’s your job to provide for them, to care for them, to love them! You’re lucky you have two sons who turned out better than you!”

“Oh,” he mocked in a condescending tone, suddenly realizing I was there. “Who’s this? Huh? Your new piece of ass? Trust me, sweetheart, you need to stay away from him! He’s poison, and he’ll kill you like he killed his mother!”

My stomach was in knots, churning with each tick of the clock.

“You’re in my house!” Joe spewed. “My fucking house!”

Kraven’s hand never left the side of my stomach while his thumb strummed up and down on my skin from where my tank top lifted, leaving goose bumps in its wake.

At first, I thought it was to ease my worry and provide any comfort he could. Now it seemed like he was trying to calm himself, remaining steady and in control.

“I told her not to come back! I warned her this was going to happen! Her blood is on your hands, Kraven! And I hope you rot in hell for it!” In a frenzy, he demanded, only glaring at me, “Now get the fuck out of my house, you fucking slut?—”

“Kraven, no!”

His fist collided with Joe’s jaw, causing his head to whoosh back, taking half of his body with him. I gasped, instantly feeling guilty about getting involved.

Once again, Kraven was defending me. I should have kept my mouth shut. This was all my fault.

“Please!” I begged him, pulling onto his arm. “Please don’t do this!”

Joe spat blood on the floor, growling, “You hit like the pussy you’re fucking!”

“Kraven, no!”

He charged him this time, ramming his shoulder into Joe’s torso and taking him to the ground. Joe’s back skidded across the floor, knocking over the end table. His bottle of whiskey shattered beside him, sending shards of glass to scatter everywhere.

“Please, stop!” I pleaded, knowing it was no use.

Kraven wouldn’t listen to me.