CHAPTER 6
AARON's POV -->
Kendra has been acting weird the past few days, always up to some mischief. The cutie even tried to seduce me by dressing up in that flimsy piece of clothing, she doesn't know she doesn't need all that junk to get me going. I wonder what she's up to right now. I didn't check in on her before I left for work this morning, I usually do but today I was running late. Ever since she got taken the other night, I can't afford to let her out of my sight too long.
I finish up with some business partners at the office. We finished earlier than I thought
"Should I stay here? Or work from home?" I ask myself.
My phone interrupts my trail of thought snapping me back to reality.
Thomas Langford
I ignore it. I'm not ready to deal with me in law right now.
"Don't tell me we've reached the stage of ignoring each other's calls now Aaron" Thomas says emerging from behind the door.
Great he's here. I ignore him again.
"How's my favorite son in law doing" he continues
"I'm your only in law" I mutter
Kendra is a saint compared to this sleazeball. It's hard to comprehend how they're both related not to mention the fact they're father and daughter.
"About the estate down at Greenville" I'd need you to call off your pack and allow me continue construction
My jaws tightened. I could feel the heat rising in my throat. I wanted to spit sharp venomous words at him, but no I can't. That's exactly what he wants me to do. To lose my calm. Instead, I take a deep breath and reply "That place has always been Crescent world territory. Press further and I'll take it as defiance"
Thomas laughs. "We'll see how long that lasts" he says before finally walking off
He won't be laughing for long.
He already spoilt the vibe at the office, so I decide to head back home early. See what I can accomplish.
Back in, I fulfill the same ritual I do every day I come back. I take off my shoes at the entrance, greeted by the staff while they scurry to prepare whatever meal they have, then I head up to my room to change and then my study. I keep the study locked for security reasons. Not even the housekeeper is allowed within. I clean and keep it tidy myself. I don't need anybody sticking their noses where it doesn't belong.
The first two of my daily ritual has been fulfilled. Next thing is to go to my room to change. I walk up the stairs and into the hallway, a slight creek from the study door catches my ears, barely noticeable to the human ear. I take a step closer and it's as if I can hear….
…is that shuffling?
Hell no. Whoever the fuck it is, they're about to pay for breaking into my house and going through my shit.
I grab the pistol tucked between my waist and belt and head inside cautiously. I open the door fully, pointing the gun in the general direction of where I heard the shuffling sounds came from.
"Don't move!" I bark
"Kendra" her name left my lips. I want to say I'm in shock but with all she's been up to lately, I can't even say I'm surprised she'd pull something like this.
The adrenaline slowly leaving my body, my grip loosens a bit. I realize I had kept he gun trained on her for a second too long because her face goes as plain a ghost.
"What are you doing here?" My voice low and menacing.
She knows better than to go through my stuff. And how did she gain access to my study. Someone is definitely helping her. Her father maybe?
Kendra's throat worked as she swallowed. "I….."
"Don't" I snap
"Think carefully before the next words leave your mouth Ken…."
Her soft lips trembled before sound finally came out "I…I thought…." She swallowed hard, eyes flickering to the weapon at my side then back to my face. I tuck the pistol back in my waistband to help ease the tension a little bit.
"I thought you were hiding something…. or someone" she continues, her fingers twisting nervously at the hem of her sleeve
"I've been suspecting you of cheating Aaron" she finishes, almost yelling.
I blink, stunned into stillness. She's joking. I stare at her for a second longer at the accusation she laid before me.
"You risked you neck" I say finally breaking the silence between us.
"You risked your neck, broke into my study, nearly got your head blown off because you think I'm unfaithful?!!!"
Kendra shrank back a step but her chin stubbornly lifted "I had to know the truth Aaron, and I knew you weren't going to give it to me"
"The truth?" I ask, still flabbergasted. I walk closer to her closing in the distance between us "The truth is you don't trust me. Not an inch. You'd rather sneak behind my back, break in here, go through my things than look me in the eye to ask me?"
Tears started welling up in her eyes
"Don't you fucking cry" I sneer. More for my sake than hers. I couldn't possibly bear to watch her cry especially not because of me.
"Who's helping you" I yell.
She doesn't respond
"I said who's helping you"
"My dad okay!" She yells back
So, she's her father's little puppet now is she. Funny she was trying to sell the whole 'I'm the victim act'
That's probably why she wore the lingerie the night before, to get info. Fuck.
"You think infidelity is the worst thing I could be hiding?" I grab here elbow and look her in the eye.
"Kendra Langford, has no idea what kind of fire you just walked in to"
She doesn't say a word, she just stares right into my eyes as if daring me to do my worst. Fuck this woman would be the end of me
She mutters something beneath her breath. I couldn't quite catch it this time
"What did you say?" I ask
No answer.
I'm done with this. I scoop her into my arms and carry her back to her room. I plop her back in her bed. The second her body hit the bed; she became rigid. Her hands shot up in front of her as If to guard herself, from….me….
Her breaths fastened, eyes wide and staring at something far-far away
"Kendra?" I call, trying to get her to snap out of it.
Her lips moved soundlessly, tremors wracking her shoulders. The colors draining from her face. Something inside me twisted, a cold sinking feeling to my stomach.
I try to approach her, get her to calm down but the second my skin makes contact with her body, she yells
"Stop!! Please stop!!!"
"I'll be good I promise. Don't touch me again please" she begs me.
In that moment, reality sets in. This isn't about me at all. Whatever she's seeing, it belonged to some other night, some other man.
I let go of her, giving her the space, she needs. My teeth tighten. I readjust myself before leaving the room. If there was any doubt I had, seeing Kendra up close like this, reliving her past trauma just cleared them all.
Thomas Langford….
Count your days, you'll surely pay.