Aggro - CoraLee June Page 0,38

sweaty hand on his pants and held it out to me. I looked at Kai before reaching out to shake it.

“You don’t take long, my brother,” Hank said. “Wasn’t that long ago you were bringing Violet here, eh?” Hank started cackling, as if the death of my best friend was something to joke about.

Kai wasn’t amused. He wrapped his hand around my wrist and dragged me over to a rusted lawn chair perched beneath a tall tree, away from the crowd. He plopped down on it, and I was about to sit down on the hard dirt when he unexpectedly pulled me into his lap. The moment I sat down, my entire body grew tense. His salty scent and strong muscles enveloped me, and I fought the urge to curl into him. What was wrong with me? “Relax,” Kai whispered in my ear, his hot breath feathered over my neck. “Stay close, remember? Let them think what they want. No one messes with me.”

I swallowed. “Right.”

We people-watched for a little while, and I tried to take in every detail. The men here chuckled, cooked, and teased, but no one seemed to go out of their way to include Kai in their antics. It was almost as if they’d given up on including him ages ago. “Is this your family?” I asked while squirming on his lap. Kai sighed and flipped my legs over, cradling me against his chest. It was admittedly more comfortable to sit that way, but the intimacy of the move made me anxious. I couldn’t help but imagine Violet doing this exact same thing. Did she cuddle Kai? Did she get along with his family? I felt like an awkward stand-in for the person he really wanted. I couldn’t help but be curious about her dynamic here—with Kai.

“Some are distant cousins. Some are Lex’s friends. He does this every week.”

“Did Violet ever come?”

Kai went quiet and started rubbing his thumb across my ankle. Goose bumps traveled up my leg, and I shuddered. I wasn’t sure if it was because of the creepy situation we were in or his touches. “Yeah. I brought her to a couple of these.”

“Did she get to know anyone?” I asked. It felt like I was walking on thin ice. One misstep and this entire evening could crack.

“Stop trying to be a detective, Breeze.” I rolled my eyes and shifted on his lap. Kai gripped me tighter. Lex walked outside and inspected the sausages on the grill before turning to face us. Kai held me closer and pressed his lips against my ear.

“Please don’t say anything. Just follow my lead.”

“What are you doing?” I asked as his hand moved up to grip my hip. My breathing had become erratic. My heart was a racing mess. Kai’s lips lingered against my sweaty skin.

“Trust me.”

Lex stalked over to us and paused right in front of us. “You look cozy. Glad to see you’ve moved on, brother. Violet was a high maintenance bitch. Us Lewis men don’t have time for princesses.”

Blinding rage surged through my body, but Kai’s grip held me still. To an onlooker, we looked like lovers embraced in a sweet cuddle. But his arms were like steel traps, caging me in. I felt like a shark in shallow waters, willing to fight for food and for my life. “I’m guessing you and Violet weren’t that close if you’re already fucking her boyfriend,” Lex continued with a light chuckle. Flames of fury burned through my awareness. Kai held me close.

“Fuck off, Lex,” Kai said in a bored tone.

“I’m just saying. I’m glad you moved on. Violet was trouble. You need a woman you can keep under your thumb. Why don’t you come help me in the kitchen, Breeze? I bought some pies.” I looked at Kai, not sure if I should go with Lex. The gesture seemed to make Lex preen. He let out a low whistle. “Look at that. So submissive. Already looking to you for permission.”

Kai shook his head in annoyance. “We’re comfortable here. Find someone else to help.”

Lex clicked his tongue. “Now, that’s not very nice. I just want to get to know her. I promise not to hurt a pretty little hair on her pretty little head.”

I swallowed. I didn’t want to go back in that house, and I certainly didn’t want to be alone with Lex.

“No,” Kai insisted.

“I wasn’t asking,” Lex replied, this time with more force. I could see the veins in his neck bulging threateningly.

I turned to