The Summer He Came Home (Bad Boys of Crystal Lake 1)

“You’d never allow it?” She set her empty glass on the small patio table near the barbecue. “Let me be clear about this. I’ll never allow it. I’m his mother. You’re just…”

His pulse spiked as a new wave of anger rolled over him. “I’m just what?”

She stared at him, her eyes huge as several fat drops of rain fell from the sky. “You’re the man I’ve been screwing, and as of now, it’s officially over. We can’t do this anymore, Cain.” Thunder rolled in the distance and lightning streaked across the horizon.

“Can’t or won’t?” he snarled, his anger erupting.

“I won’t do this anymore.”

“Maggie…”

But she’d closed off. Retreated. Frustration and anger churned madly, feeding his dark mood. He blew out a long, hot breath and took a moment. He couldn’t lose his temper. That would push her further away.

“Maggie, you need to take a step back. This isn’t as bad as it seems.” He tried to keep his voice calm and neutral, but the panic parasites were burrowing deep.

“I disagree. In fact, I strongly disagree, and I think it’s going to get much worse than it is today. It may seem like no big deal to you, but we’re looking at this from two entirely different perspectives.”

“They’re pictures, Maggie. This will blow over.”

“Blow over, my ass.” She shook her head. “Maybe for you, but not for me.”

Cain looked away. He didn’t know what to say. How could he make her understand? It would blow over. This kind of thing always did.

He lowered his voice. “Maggie.” She was going to run. He could feel it. “Why don’t we discuss what this is really about? Because I sure as hell don’t believe you’re this upset over some pictures. What are you afraid of? Your ex-husband?”

She was surprised, her mouth half-open and eyebrows furled. She stared at him for several long moments, her mouth pinched tight. “I can’t talk about this anymore. I need you t

o leave.”

“I want to talk about it.”

“I don’t care what you want, Cain. This isn’t about you or me.” She thrust her chin forward. “It’s about my son.” She inhaled a ragged breath. “My son.”

He’d been dismissed. “So that’s it.” Cain’s nostrils flared, his eyes flattened, and he clenched his mouth so tight that pain radiated along his jaw. “Just like that.”

“Look, Cain, I don’t have time to hash this out.” She shook her head, her eyes huge in her pale face. “I’ve got a lot to think about.”

“I’m not leaving, Maggie. Tell me about your ex-husband and what he did to you.”

“Dante is none of your business.”

The energy in the air crackled, and lightning rushed across the sky once more. Raindrops splattered onto her face and body, the large drops leaving fat, dark circles on her clothes. Dante. He had the bastard’s name.

“Michael made him my business.”

“Michael? What do you mean?” Her chest heaved, and she glanced away. He knew she was fighting for control, and it broke his heart to see her so upset.

She ran trembling fingers along her temple.

He decided to lay everything on the line. What the hell did he have to lose? “I know he abused you, laid his hands on you and hit you.” She flinched as he spoke, as if every word uttered slammed into her the way Michael’s father’s fists had. She clenched her fingers so tight around the delicate crystal glass, he was afraid it would shatter.

“Why would you…how would you…?” She struggled to finish her sentence, and if he could have done anything to wipe away her pain, he would have. She swallowed thickly.

“Michael told me.”

Her eyes widened, and silence stretched between them. “No.” She finally whispered. “But Michael, never…he never saw…” She looked away, her body and voice trembling.

Cain fought the urge to grab her into his arms. He wanted to offer comfort but at the same time was afraid to drive her away. A fragile connection had been forged and it wouldn’t take much to break it.