this fucking dickhead seeing them made his blood turn to acid.
“Daddy, we’re home!” Penny came bounding into the kitchen, leaping into Thames’ arms.
Fuck.
He picked her up, holding her tight as she rained kisses down on his cheek. He couldn’t break out of character, though. He kept his jaw locked as he hugged her. Charlotte followed closely behind, halting in her footsteps at the sight of Holden. It was like she fucking knew straightaway he was trouble. His fiery dove masked her feelings, glancing at Thames with caution.
“To your room now, Penny,” she said sharply. “Like we agreed in the car.”
She skipped out of the room the second Thames set her down. He didn’t even think she paid any notice to Holden.
“Sweet kid,” Holden noted, looking genuinely intrigued before he swept his gaze to Charlotte. He froze, checking her out. Thames fisted his hand, swearing to himself if he didn’t fucking look away in the next five seconds, he’d lunge at the fucker.
“Wow,” Holden murmured. “I can see why you rejected the girl I sent you. This really your girl?”
Charlotte stood straighter. “I’m sorry, who are you? I feel like I’ve just intruded.”
“I’m a friend,” Holden said, swinging his hand out for her to shake. “Name’s Holden.”
She eyed his hand for a beat before taking it into her own. “Charlotte.”
“Charlotte,” he repeated softly, glancing briefly at the name etched on Thames’ neck, a look of understanding dawning on him. “Nice to meet you.”
“You didn’t intrude, dove,” Thames said just then, waiting for Holden to let go of her fucking hand. “Holden was just leaving.”
Holden chuckled and nodded, understanding he was being thrown out. But he took it in stride, grumbling, “Yeah, sure.”
This fucker needed to leave now.
Before Thames did anything stupid.
He let go of Charlotte’s hand – or rather, Charlotte instantly dropped hers from his grip the second his loosened. Thames didn’t walk ahead of him to the door. Leading him out like that meant he wouldn’t have his eyes on the fucker every step of the way. Instead, he trailed behind Holden, watching him carefully as he glanced around the house on his way. Thames grabbed the key to the SUV on the side table just as Holden stopped in front of the door.
“This is the key to the car,” he said, keeping his voice level as he dropped it into Holden’s waiting hand.
Holden appeared amused. “It’s no hassle if you need it.”
“I don’t.”
“Well, seeing as our chat isn’t over, I’ll keep in touch. I’ll let you get used to things first, give you some time to settle in with your family. With,” he paused, smiling devilishly, “Charlotte. Man, oh man, if I had a woman like that, it’d be my best kept secret too.”
A cold chill ran down Thames’ spine. His blood pumped faster as rage coiled his insides. The motherfucking cheek on this fucker. Thames flicked a glance over his shoulder, making sure Charlotte wasn’t around to hear that. When he didn’t see her, he whipped the door open and came up from behind Holden, forcing him to move. The second he stepped out onto the porch, Thames snapped. He followed after him, closing the door behind him. He made sure his front pressed against Holden’s back, forcing him down the steps. Holden picked up his pace, glancing back at Thames with that cheeky glint in his eye.
“Jesus, Thames,” he said, “calm down, hey?”
But Thames wasn’t satisfied until Holden was at his car. He was too angry to form coherent words. His face darkened, his body went taut, his fists clenched at his sides as Holden turned around to face him. But Thames hadn’t backed down. He continued at him, forcing his front against Holden’s now, until Holden’s back suddenly pressed against the driver side door of his car.
Glaring down at him with that familiar rage, Thames gritted out, “If you ever come to my house again, I will stab you the way I stabbed all those fuckers back in max. I will guide that blade straight into your throat and rip your artery out in one smooth stroke. I will watch you bleed to death, motherfucker.”
Holden’s amusement washed away as he looked back at Thames in shock. “I came here to help you, man –”
“Don’t you fucking speak to me about lending a helping hand,” Thames interrupted, voice tight with fury. “I don’t want to hear your bullshit, you cunt fucker.”
“Watch who you’re talking to, Thames.”
“I know the cunt I’m speaking to very well.” Thames voice lowered