“I’m getting dressed. I can’t exactly go home naked, can I?”

“You’re not going anywhere, so naked shouldn’t be a problem. Think of this as your home until we find Ken.”

“Don’t call her that. You don’t get that privilege.”

“As the man who fertilized your egg, I think I do.”

“But that’s all you were.” Her voice rose with each word as she yanked on her clothes.

“Because the bitch who birthed her didn’t try to inform me that she had my baby.”

“Don’t blame me because you’re a coward. What was I supposed to do? Search all over the world? Turn over every rock you might have crawled under?”

“Yes,” I answered simply. “It’s what I would have done if you had run away—if you do run away.”

She planted her hands on her hips and regarded me coolly. “Is that a threat?”

I walked up to her until my chest was flush with hers. I gripped her chin gently and lifted her face so I could look into her eyes. “It’s a threat, a promise, a commitment, and a vow. Take it seriously, baby, because if you ever leave, I will find you, but I can’t promise you will survive it.”

“I miss the old you,” she whispered unexpectedly. The pain in her eyes was unmistakable.

“That’s too bad because he’s gone.” A broken heart couldn’t be mended.

“Forever?”

“Yeah, baby. Forever.”

She slipped her chin from my fingers and took a step back. “Then there’s nothing left to say. I’m leaving.”

I nodded once, and she seemed to take that as acceptance, but when I picked her up and tossed her on the bed, she screamed and fought.

“Be still, or I’ll fuck you right here, and this time I won’t wait for permission.”

“You wouldn’t rape me.” The fear evident in her eyes belied her challenge.

“Oh, yeah? Try me.”

“I’ll fight you.”

“I’ll like it.”

She fell silent and still, so without another word, I ripped the jeans from her body and stood up. On the way out, I picked up the rest of her clothes and stormed out, slamming the door behind me for good measure.

Regret snuck up on me as I leaned against the door. If I could kick my own ass, I would. I sounded like a creep even to my own ears, but what was I supposed to do?

I couldn’t let her leave, but a part of me wished I hadn’t taken it that far.

Maybe I should let her go.

The longer I was around her, the more dangerous to her I became, but the selfish part of me that was most dominant just couldn’t let go.

* * * * *

I pulled into the driveway of Lake’s childhood home. Dash’s R8 was already parked on the street so I went to the door and rung the bell. I didn’t expect Dash to be the one to answer the door, but as soon as I stepped inside, I knew why.

“Just tell me where you are, honey. We’re worried about you… Yes, I know your boyfriend is an inconsiderate asshole, but remember why you love him… you don’t mean that.”

I listened closely to the one-sided conversation, but when it appeared to be going nowhere, I silently indicated for the phone.

“Lake?” I spoke into the phone.

She huffed and asked, “Yes?”

“Keiran is being released in about two hours.” I hung up the phone and handed it back to her aunt.

“Why did you do that? We may not get her to answer again.”

“She’ll come,” Dash answered.

Carissa folded her arms and regarded us with skepticism. “Lake is perfectly capable of making her own decisions. While I like Keiran a lot, he does not and should not have that kind of power over her.”

“Then clearly you’ve never been in love.”

Less than an hour later, Lake slammed through the front door, rolled her eyes, and marched upstairs. Carissa followed her upstairs after recovering from the surprise of how fast her niece returned.

It was a wonder she was even surprised given the kind of man her husband is. Years ago, I got the impression that he wasn’t someone to be fucked with. He happened to be one of the best private investigators in the world and one who could no doubt find Kennedy. Unfortunately, shortly before Kennedy was taken Jackson went off grid in some third world country on a case.

“Where’s my sister?” Dash asked, breaking me from my thoughts.

“My uncle’s place.”

“So what did you guys do last night?” I cut my eyes to see him regarding me with narrowed eyes.