Page 69 of Stolen to Forever
“Give me time.I know I’ve been a jerk since you got here, but let me prove it to you.”
“It’s me that needs time.”I sit up on the bed and lean close to him.I brush my mouth against Xander’s, knowing this might be our last kiss.“Will you give me some time to think?I need to process all of this.”
“I don’t want to give you time but I told you I’d give you anything you asked for.”He drops his mouth back down onto mine and kisses me deeply.I cling to him as I memorize every part of his touch.When he steps back I hate the space between us, but it’s exactly what I asked for.
“I’ll go home and try to master something besides pancakes.”He tries to make his tone light and teasing but I know it’s forced.“I’ll see you later.”
“Bye,” I manage to say as I nod in agreement and he backs out of my bedroom.
“I love you,” he says softly before leaving me alone in my room.
I drop down onto my bed and let the tears come, crying into my hands.I know what I have to do and I’m a coward for it.I can’t bring myself to tell Xander the truth and see the way he looks at me change.I don’t want that to be the last thing I have from him.Right now I have him telling me he loves me and teasing me about us having kids.
I wipe my face and steel myself before walking to Kade’s house.
When I knock he answers the door and lets me in.“How’s Collins?”
“She’s napping.”
I’m selfishly thankful because I don't want to tell her the truth either.It’s my father who almost killed her and I’m not sure how Kade is going to handle the news, but he’s the only way I can get off the island.It will be best for everyone.
“Can we talk?”
“Of course.Did Xander fuck things up already?”he teases with a smirk and I shake my head.
“This one is on me,” I admit.He motions for me to enter his office and I sit down in front of his desk.
I take a deep breath and then spill everything.The words come tumbling out of my mouth, but I don’t leave anything out.The entire time Kade leans back, listening to me without even a twitch of a muscle.Once I’m done, I feel like I’ve purged myself of some kind of evil, but I just sit there staring at the unmoving Kade.I keep waiting for him to explode, but he stays still the whole time.
“I should leave.But don’t worry because I don’t even know where this island is located so your secret is safe with me.”
His voice is even and calm as he leans forward.“What about you, Lula?What about your safety?”
I hadn't thought about that, but it’s probably because the only thing going through my mind is being without Xander.
“That’s not anyone else's problem here.”I look out of Kade’s office window that has a beautiful view of the ocean.“The longer I stay here, the worse Xander and I will get hurt.It’s better to break it off now.”I look back to Kade.“When he finds out the truth, he’ll hate me anyway.He hasn't trusted me since I got here and he was right not to.”I stand up and hold my hands out.“Will you help me get off the island?”
“You’re not a captive, Lula.”Kade rises from his seat too.“I can get you off the island but I really think you should think this over.Nothing good ever comes from making rash decisions in the heat of the moment.”
“I’ll think while I pack my things.”I step away from my chair with my mind already made up.“Thank you for everything, Kade, and for being so understanding.I’m so sorry for what my father has done to your family.”
“I’m sorry for what your father has done to you.”His voice is soft, and my eyes start to water all over again.This would be so much easier if he was mad.This is not how I thought this would go.“I would never punish someone for the sins of their father.My anger lies with him and him alone.”
“Thank you,” I say again.“I’m going to pull together a list of people that I think would love to have this job.I’ll have it for you before I leave.”
“Don’t worry about it.”He waves his hand.
“Are you sure?”
“It will be handled, I have no doubt about that.”He gives me a soft knowing smile.
“Tell Collins I'm sorry too.”
“Stop apologizing, Lula.”
I open my mouth to apologize for apologizing but catch myself.“It was a pleasure meeting your family,” I say instead and turn to leave.
As I make the walk back toward the main house my feet are heavier than ever before.