The Damaged (The Insiders Trilogy 2)

Kash’s hands flexed over my leg. “You mean two years.”

“What?”

“You said a year. Your degree takes two years.”

Right. He didn’t know …

I coughed. “The next two years.”

He sent me a short frown. “How long’s your lunch break?”

I pulled up my schedule and checked the time. “I have another hour.”

“You’re set on going back?”

I relaxed, more fully grinning. “Stupid school, huh?”

He shot me a grin. “I know a place.”

We went to the local Burriotle, and the nationwide burrito chain that had eclipsed all the other competition was filled with students. We should’ve known that. The line was out the door, trailing down the block and in front of the bookstore next to it. That didn’t deter Kash. He made a call, then took my hand as we left his car, which was already getting a lot of attention. Our fingers entwined, he led me toward the door, then let go and switched our positions so he was behind me. His hand was on the small of my back.

He was guiding me inside, and once we had to squeeze past the people in line, his hands went to my hips. He guided me that way, turning me, moving me, and reaching over my head for the door. Once inside, a younger man was waiting for us.

He flashed a giant smile. “Kashton! You’ve decided to grace us with your presence. Finally.”

He had rich, dark black hair, dark eyes. Those eyes fell to me, taking me in with interest, and he seemed to take a step back. He murmured, “Well, then. Now I see why.”

Kash reached around me, holding his hand out. “Robbie. It’s good to see you.”

“And you. And you.” He was pumping Kash’s hands, but his attention was all on me. Letting him go, Robbie turned more fully to face me, as Kash’s free hand went to the back of my neck, his fingers resting around my nape. Robbie was eating me up. “And who is this?”

Kash settled on the back of his heels, getting comfortable. This wasn’t a Kash I was totally familiar with, at least not in others’ presence, not when it wasn’t just the two of us. And Kash seemed unaware of all the customers waiting in line, but glancing back, I saw Erik standing outside the restaurant at one door, and at the other door was Fitz. Both took their positions, backs to the windows and watching the street and the line.

“This is Bailey.” Kash nodded at Robbie. “Bailey, this is a friend of mine from my father’s neighborhood.”

Oh! I took a lot more notice now. He would’ve known Aunt Judith, Cousin Stephanie, maybe even Uncle Martin. Those names were fictional to me, but I knew that life wasn’t for Kash. I was fascinated in some odd way. Fascinated because Kash never talked about that life, but I knew it was there. I knew he spent time with his family, even though Peter had taken him in after his parents were murdered.

“Come, come.” Robbie broke through the line, leading us around to a booth that was being cleaned even as we approached. He stepped aside, motioning. “Sit. Relax. Let me have my staff bring a feast to you both.” He winked at me. “I’ll be right back.”

Kash knew the manager of this Burriotle. I shouldn’t be surprised, but I was, and I had no idea why.

I turned to Kash once Robbie disappeared through the back. “Explain, please.”

I used his words back on him, and judging by the knowing grin, Kash was aware of that. He turned his back to the customers going back and forth past our booth and wrapped his hand around my neck once more. Bending down slightly, he was creating our own private moment, and his head moved so his forehead was just slightly above mine.

His thumb was rubbing over my neck.

“When I visited my aunt, Robbie was on the block. I didn’t go see them a lot—less after I moved in with your family—but Robbie, his brother, and I got into a fair bit of trouble.”

I was waiting for more.

He paused.

Oh no. That wasn’t it. I raised an eyebrow. “More, please.”

He laughed, his hand moving to cup the side of my face, his thumb rubbing over my cheek now, falling to my lips and moving back. “His uncle runs a gym. When I started training, it was with Robbie and Ace. We didn’t hang out as much when I stopped coming around, but Robbie reached out a couple years ago. He needed start-up for this place, so I gave it to him.”

Both my eyebrows shot up now. “He owns it?”

Kash nodded, his eyes dipping to my mouth and staying there. “He doesn’t manage it. I bought the franchise fee for him and he runs everything else. It’s doing well, and I take a cut.”

Holy crap. I noticed the customers in a whole different light.