Chapter 81

Warmth that he only gave her transformed the fury he’d been about to release, and he nodded to her. “Your choice, babe.”

Again, Kingston tried to tug her, but she dug her feet down as much as she could, smiling when Ryder hooked a finger under her waistband, anchoring her even more so she could face her stepfather. “Kingston, please stop this. It has nothing to do with you, and you have no right to forbid them from seeing me. We live next door.”

“That can change,” he said icily.

Jane’s heart squeezed, and she looked toward her mother. “Please. We’re not hurting anyone. It’s our business.”

Sarah shook her head. “You’re hurting our family. Look at the scene you’ve caused, Jane.” She waved her hand toward the street. “I told you you could see Ryder, but you chose to disrespect me. I warned you—David is your brother. Nothing more. But we come home and you’re in bed together!”

“You told her she could see this loser?” Kingston roared, turning to her mother. “You knew about them and you left them alone?”

Ryder took the chance to pull her to him, wrapping an arm around her chest as David darted between his dad and her mom. “Miss me, babe?” Ryder smiled down at her as he moved them a little farther from the commotion.

“Hell yes.” She hugged his arm but switched her focus to David and his dad.

“Dad, enough!” David shoved him back. “Take it out on me. I chose Jane. Sarah had nothing to do with this.”

Kingston’s nostrils flared, and his jaw clenched tightly when he spotted Jane under Ryder’s arm. With a growl, he pointed to the house. “Jane, get inside now. And you”—he sneered at David—“get your shit and get out. You’re no longer my son.”

Jane gasped as her legs buckled. The only reason she didn’t fall was that Ryder supported her.

David glanced at her with the saddest but most breathtaking smile and said, “This changes nothing, baby. I love you, and I’ll still be yours beyond forever.” Then he shoved past his dad, ignoring her mother who chased after him, telling him to just call things off.

“Wasting her damn time,” Ryder muttered, leaning down to kiss the top of Jane’s head. “Hey, I’ll let David stay with me, okay? But tell me what you want to do right now.”

Kingston glared at them, and Jane couldn’t look away. She wanted to slap him and beg for forgiveness.

“Just take care of David,” she whimpered. As much as she wanted to think everything would work out, she knew she was a minor for two more weeks. David wasn’t, and they could throw him out. She’d only cause more drama if she let Ryder take control.

He dropped a hand to her belly and lowered his voice, “You didn’t let him come in you, did you?”

She sniffled, covering his hand. “Stop making me want to get knocked up.”

He snickered, kissing her head. “I’ll get you one day.”

“I know,” she whispered, her heart breaking because she didn’t know when she was going to see him again. “And, no, he didn’t.”

“Damn right.” His arms tightened, and he spoke even softer, ignoring Kingston’s call for her to go with him. “Send the word if we need to spring you. Not joking, babe. I’ll destroy the world for you if I have to.”

Sweet, deadly boy.

“David loves you,” he murmured as his fingers slipped under her shirt just enough to caress her skin. “Tercero and Luc . . . well, they’ll tell you when they’re ready, but you should know those fuckers got it bad for you. And you know you’re my heart and soul. We’ll tear apart the universe to have you between us again. The others already know this, but I’ll remind you; your lips are mine.”

His hand moved up to his spot. “And this.” Tingles. “This is where you keep me. I’m never gone.” Kingston snatched her hand, pulling her toward the house.

She whined, holding up a hand to keep Ryder back.

Her bad boy nodded, crossing his arms. “I’m yours, Jane. No matter what he says.”

Kingston threw a final glare at Ryder before pushing her into the house and slamming the door.

Jane wriggled free, sobbing. “Let me go!”

With only a light shove toward the family room, he pointed at the sofa. “Sit down. I don’t need you sneaking into David’s room.”

“You act like we’re related,” she shouted, marching to the farthest chair.

“You are related.” He marched to stand between the sofa and walkway as if to make sure she didn’t make a run for it.

“Not by blood.” Jane’s hands were shaking now. She had to turn away because it hurt to see the man she cared for like a second father staring at her as if she was the most disgusting human being on the planet.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s not by blood,” he said sharply. “By marriage, he is your brother. Brothers do not have relationships with their sisters. And good daughters don’t screw the boys their father forbade them from seeing!”

“Step,” she shouted. “Stepbrother and sister. And Daddy picked Ryder for me.” She lifted her chin and plastered a fake smile on her face. “He picked all of them—including David. He knew I loved David. He never would’ve made me choose. He knew Ryder was my match, but he knew I loved your son, and he wasn’t going to take that from me. You should be ashamed of yourself for everything you just said and did out there. I won’t forgive you for hurting him.”

Heavy footsteps on the stairs, and her mother weeping, had Jane standing. She held her breath as David reached the bottom step, facing off with his father with two bags in one hand, his football gear in the other.

“I don’t want to see you in this house ever again,” Kingston said, though his voice trembled as David stood there silently. “Leave your keys on the table. Sarah will clean out the car and put anything of yours in a box. If you’re staying with those delinquents, I’ll send it over to you.”

Jane shook her head. This couldn’t be happening. All she had wanted was for David to be proud to call her his, and he did it for her. He did it knowing his fears would come true and now they were.

“Don’t cry,” David told her with a smile on his face that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “These have still been the best days of my life, and I know we’ll have more. Don’t give up on me.” “I won’t.” Her pitiful attempt to smile probably looked disgusting.

Nonetheless, a gorgeous smile lit up his face. “There’s my beautiful, brave girl. Don’t lose her. I want her back.”

Kingston growled, walking closer to David. “Out. I better not catch you around here. I’ll call the cops, boy.”

David steadied his helmet on the couch and pulled his keys out, dropping them on the floor. “Bye, Dad.” He walked away as Jane held back her cries. Though the moment the front door shut, she wailed, running up the stairs until she made it to her room.

She slammed the door, locking it and pulling her dresser in the way. Well, she tried, crying harder when she couldn’t even make it budge.

Bracing herself on the dresser, she sniffled, her hands shaking as hard as her legs. David was gone. Her David was gone.

Her chest ached so badly she almost fell to her knees. Only, she gasped at the ripped piece of paper on the dresser.

It only had one word: Secret

She knew instantly what this was, and dropping to the floor, she yanked open her bottom drawer and pulled open her secret compartment. All of his letters were still there, but a torn letter at the top was the one she pulled free.

Hey baby,

I’m sorry things couldn’t stay perfect, but I want you to know it was the best experience of my life to be with you. I’ll think about it every day and feel just as lucky as I do right now. Because I know you love me the way I love you, and I know I’m strong enough to make things work. Just be patient, okay? I’ll be next door for as long as Ryder and the others let me stay. We’ll get through this.

I love you, Jane.

Your David