Hold Me (Love The Way Duet 2)

That statement makes Kamden pause. He swallows thickly before looking back at me, his mask back on and firmly in place. He knows something. He damn well knows he does.

Ella’s kitchen is warm, and Kamden lets out a breath. He leans against the counter and looks at me. “People love a scandal. You know what I think?”

“I don’t. I would appreciate it if you told me.”

He chews the inside of his cheek. “I think it wasn’t her mother who killed her father’s first wife. I think he did it. I think she took the fall, and he had her murdered in prison.” Kam’s eyes narrow and his voice lowers. “I also think … that I’m glad he’s dead.”

“Zander.” Damon enters the kitchen, mid conversation. “Am I interrupting?”

“No,” I say and then swallow, not wanting to involve Damon in this. “We should talk later, though,” I tell Kam, my grip white knuckled on the back of the chair. There’s a cold sweat on the back of my neck.

Whatever happened, I’m almost certain Kam knows every detail. And a part of me wonders, what does Ella know?

The other night, she was anything but okay remembering her mother. If someone hurt her or coerced her … I don’t know what I’ll do, but it takes everything in me, in this moment, to calm the rage that simmers inside.

“I wouldn’t look too much into it.” Kam attempts to reassure me as Damon rounds the corner of the kitchen, opening the fridge and disappearing behind the door.

“Just seemed like there might be something I should know,” I say, keeping Kam’s gaze as he slips on his jacket.

“We’re on the same side when it comes to this. And the part that matters, is that it’s over. It’s long dead and it should stay that way.”

There’s a moment between us, but the moment Damon closes the door to the fridge, bottle of water in hand, it’s gone.

Kamden addresses Damon first, and then me. “I’m on my way out. Have a good time at the party tonight.”

He leaves, and I watch him go.

“You all right, man?” Damon questions. Relaxing my posture and letting out a deep breath, I decide to keep what just happened between Kamden and me. That conversation isn’t over.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Don’t worry about the party. It’ll be packed and might be intense for the both of you. But you can always leave.” I stare at Damon, unblinking.

“You’re my therapist now?” I ask deadpan and instantly the tension in my shoulders lifts.

He laughs, setting the bottle down. “I’m just picking up on the tension is all. You look sharp, she’s excited and I think she’s ready.”

I can’t help but to smile at the idea of my little bird being excited. Everything about her is fuller, lighter, happier than she was when I first saw her in the courtroom. Nearly everything. The vulnerability is still there and she’s still so very breakable.

Damon adds, “There’s no reason to be concerned.”

“I’ll have a better time when it’s over and everything goes well.”

The thought of the party doesn’t thrill me. There’s a delicate balance between us right now and I’m certain she has the upper hand with what to expect with this party. This is necessary, though.

“She told me tonight could set a precedent for the order to be dissolved?”

“That’s the plan that Cade and Kamden have agreed on.”

“What exactly are they looking for?”

“Returning to normal documented behavior and presenting it to the judge.”

“Good.” I nod along with the plan. It’s ideal. It should be straightforward. And it aligns with what Ella told me, so they’re being transparent with her.

“How’s she been today?”

“She’s been ... seeking pleasure.” Damon doesn’t look at me, and there’s a tilt of his head.

I don’t understand at first. “In her journaling?”

“No. Not in her journaling.” Damon looks me straight in the eye.

Oh, fuck. That kind of pleasure. The kind of pleasure I ordered her to have. Just the thought of her enjoying herself makes my cock stir. That’s my good girl. “Thoughts on that?”

“It’s a good sign that she’s doing better.”

“That makes me happy to hear.”

Damon nods in agreement. “You seem lighter,” I comment.

“I think tonight is going to go well. We talked about it earlier. Ella is ready and looking forward to it.”

Before I can say a word, he adds, “She asked me about drinking tonight.”

“Drinking?”

“It’s a social event. She said she’ll most certainly be around it and be tempted.”

“What did you tell her?”

“She’s weaning off the antidepressants. She should use her best judgment, but a glass would be all right. Maybe sticking to only one drink would be best.”

“Sounds good.” It does not sound good. I want to close the kitchen door behind Damon, take her upstairs, and strip her clothes off. I want nothing between us but air. And then I want to figure this out. It would be easier if I could breathe her in. Taste her.