Hold Me (Love The Way Duet 2)

In the silence, I question again, “What of it?” Cade recovers quickly, but I don’t miss the shock in his dilated pupils.

The man himself looks worn thin. Bags under his eyes match those of Kamden’s, if I’m honest. Silas focuses on his clasped hands in front of him, not reacting at all to anything. If I could read minds, I’d wager a bet he’d rather be anywhere other than here.

With a heat simmering along my shoulders, I wait for any of them to speak. Kamden repositions in his seat yet again and then places his hand over mine. I don’t react to the contact; instead I stare at a dull painting of black and gray smears that’s hung on the wall behind Cade as Kamden speaks. It’s a modern piece that would fade into any room. Surely it’s only meant to take up space.

Clearing his throat, it’s obvious that Kamden is the one who will initiate this conversation. “Mr. Thompson crossed a line,” Kamden starts and that brief sentence grants him my full attention.

My expression hardens and I can’t help it. I’m quick to rip my hand away from under his. My bottom lip trembles as betrayal overrides every other emotion. I desperately wish I could control myself more in this moment and not allow the shock and despair to show at all because I know emotion doesn’t work with men. In this room, I’m the one who lacks any power at all. My guardians and conservator have all the power they want over me, yet I can’t help but scoff, “He crossed a line?” In that instant, under Kamden’s unwavering expression of concern, I consider, for a moment, that Zander’s done with me.

That I was foolish to feel more and think there was more between us. We slept together, he told them, and now he’s done with me.

It wouldn’t be the first time I thought a man wanted more than just a fling. The thought is an ice bath but I’m quickly relieved of that submersion when Kamden says, “I placed cameras in the living room … I know he took advantage of you.”

I feel sicker as his admission sinks in. This is a new kind of hell. A bloody nightmare. One I can’t escape.

“You put cameras …?” I can’t finish the question; there’s no more air in my lungs. He put cameras in my home? Kamden spied on me? My Kamden? The one man I can remember who I’ve trusted all my life? The questions race through my mind. It’s not possible. “You wouldn’t do that to me.”

Cade says something, confidently even, not that I hear a damn word. Kamden’s blue gaze doesn’t leave mine. We’re caught here, staring at one another as we come to terms with our new reality. I hope Kam can feel this, this burgeoning sense of betrayal brewing through me. It’s hot and suffocating. My eyes prick and I hate it. I hate that he’s done this to me.

I expect a lover to break my heart, but not Kamden.

“Yes. I put cameras in the house to—” His voice is even before I cut him off, although his expression is anything but. There’s a sorrow there that I’ve seen before. Only once, but it’s the kind of sorrow that comes with the fear of losing me.

“And you say Zander crossed a line?” It takes everything I have to push out the accusation as I stare at my dearest and closest companion. My bottom lip wobbles again and I have to bite down on it, closing my eyes out of frustration. My hands tremble and I pull them into my lap.

“You know I did it because I love you,” he practically whispers and I’d forgotten about the other two onlookers until one of their chairs protests as they readjust in their seat. I’m not sure which one it was, and I couldn’t care less. Let them watch. Let them know what it’s like to betray me.

“You spied on me.” My voice comes out in a low hiss as I raise my eyes to Kamden. I’m seething with anger.

“You … I can’t trust … I …” Kamden stumbles over his own words and I struggle not to break his gaze. He does it instead. He’s the first to look away and seems to second-guess himself.

“That fucking hurts,” I say, biting out the words.

My moral high ground is swiftly taken away from me as Kamden’s exasperation reveals itself. “What do you want from me? The last time I left you alone—”

Raising my voice I can no longer control, I tell him, “I wasn’t alone!” Heat rolls down my spine. “This time,” I add to clarify and lower my voice. “I wasn’t alone.”

“No. You weren’t.” Kamden doesn’t back down, and his lowly spoken words are harsh.

“It’s not like I didn’t want him.”