Page 91 of Kane

The medics loaded Nathan back on the gurney he had escaped. The female part of the pair stopped as her partner wheeled him out of the room. “I saw the whole thing. I’ll testify if you need it.”

“Do you need a statement from her?” Kane tilted his head toward Amanda. “Or can I take her home?”

Officer Gleason shook his head. “She can come in tomorrow. I have to warn you, though, once the media catches wind of this, you guys are not going to have a moment’s peace.”

“Thank you.” She offered the cop her hand, and the man looked a little surprised, but he shook it. “We’re going to be okay.”

The officer nodded thoughtfully. “Somehow, I don’t doubt it for a minute.”

CHAPTER

TWENTY-SIX

Kane

Kane had never been so grateful for someone interfering in his life. He’d never be able to repay Brick for knocking at the clubhouse door. Though he realized his presence hadn’t changed the end result, he would’ve never forgiven himself if Mandy would have had to face Nathan again all this on her own. God knew the bodyguards Mike hired hadn’t done shit. They didn’t even know anything had been going down until the cops showed up at her father’s house, and they followed the cavalry inside. Then, when Nathan pulled the gun, who knew where they were. Needless to say, they no longer had a job.

He shook his friend’s hand. “I don’t know how to thank you, brother.” The words felt inadequate.

Brick inhaled the cold air through his nose. “It feels good to be on the other side of the crazy shit for a change.” He smiled ruefully. “Besides, that’s what friends do. I didn’t have any of those until you came around. If there’s anything else you need, I’m only a phone call away.”

He watched Brick’s blue pick-up until it turned out of the driveway, then focused his gaze on Mandy. “You want me to drive?”

Slipping the keys into his hand, she climbed in the passenger seat of her car. She kept quiet for the entire drive, and he gave her the space she seemed to ask for without words. He took her to his place instead of hers.

Mumbling something about taking a shower, she disappeared into the bathroom.

He shrugged off his jacket, then sat at the table to tug off his socks. Instantly, his eyes caught on a note in Mandy’s handwriting.

I know you’re hurting, and you’re scared. Even if you can’t face it now, eventually you’ll remember: we are stronger together. I’m willing to wait. As long it takes. I Love You. Forever.

She was right, of course. Losing Scott had broken his heart. Losing Mandy would have broken him entirely.

Stripping down as he walked, he dropped his shirt on the back of a chair. His jeans, he left in a pile on the floor. Then he joined her in the shower, circling her waist from behind. “I’m so sorry,” he said hoarsely. “I’ve made such a mess of things.” Breathing in the scent of her hair, he silently thanked God he hadn’t lost her tonight.

She leaned her head back against his chest, giving him an unobstructed view of her perfect, creamy breasts. “You were grieving.”

“Yeah.” He kissed her shoulder. “But it wasn’t your fault. None of this is your fault, but here you are, stuck in the middle between me and your father.”

Mandy turned in his arms. “I’m not stuck between you. Fuck my father. The only thing I am to him is a bargaining chip, and I refuse to be one anymore.” She lathered the soap in her hands and ran the foam over his chest. “We’ll figure out how to deal with him, but not now, okay? Right now, I just want to feel you and forget about the rest of the world.”

“Hell yeah.” He ran his finger from the center of her chest, in a slow line down to her trim patch of auburn hair. “Get your ass in my bed. The condoms are in the top dresser drawer.” He’d been sure to stock the place once he gave her a key.

She scampered out, and he rinsed quickly before facing himself in the mirror above the sink. He couldn’t do much about his hair, but there was one thing he could do. Grabbing the razor he’d used to shape his beard, he got to work removing all the hair from his face. It was surreal to look at his reflection when he was done. If not for the scar, he’d look a lot like he did in college.

As he’d demanded, Mandy waited like a naked fucking goddess on top of his sheets, her red hair spread out like a fiery halo on the pillow. She gasped and sat up straight when he stepped out of the shadows into the dim light of the lamp.

He sat beside her, allowing her hands to smooth over his cheeks.

Her lower lip trembled. “I really have you back.”

Leaning in, he caught her lip between his teeth before soothing it with his tongue, but Mandy had zero patience letting him take the lead. Her tongue shot out, tangling with his, pulling him into a kiss. There was nothing careful about it, no concern about any scratches to her tender skin.

She was passion incarnate, her kiss so consuming, he could almost forget they were both stark naked on his bed. Almost.

His thumb found her nipple, and he raked it gently with his nail. It pebbled instantly at the touch.

Mandy wasn’t interested in the subtle approach. Rubbing her cheek against his, her mouth found his ear, and she traced the shell with her tongue. Her hot breath sent a wave of goosebumps prickling across his skin. “Seeing you like this makes me so hot,” she whispered. Her hand tugged away his towel, then circled his erection. “Lie down for me, baby. Let me take the wheel for a while.”