The Rivals - Dylan Allen Page 0,222

blink down at her. “Well, that’s a record. Takes her a few visits to give that to anyone.”

“Hmm, maybe she can smell the little girl in me who always pined for a friend just like her,” she says.

At the mention of that little girl, I remember that Kal shouldn’t be here.

“Are you going to tell me why you’re here?” I ask, pulling Nancy back.

She looks up sharply and stands. “I was in Houston for work. I called your office—thought we could catch up over lunch or something. When I couldn’t get a hold of you there, I called Regan.”

“Regan doesn’t know where I am.”

“No, but Rachel does. She gave me the address.”

“Rachel did? She’s still in Rivers Wilde?”

“Yeah, she asked me not to tell anyone. So I didn’t. I just got in my rental and drove out here.”

“Why?”

“Your sister is worried sick. I wanted to make sure you’re okay. You’ve gone off the grid completely.” She looks around again.

“I’m perfectly happy out here. I have clients. They pay me in cash, food, cleaning services, and yard work. I don’t have to worry that I’m living in a nest of vipers like I do with my own family.” I realize my voice has gone from even to loud and she takes a step toward me. Her eyes are wide with alarm.

“Remi, what’s happened? Who hurt you?” she asks and my soul takes a deep sigh. The ten-pound weight that’s been pressed against my heart lightens because my person is here. She’ll understand. Because she always does.

Yet even in my state of I don’t give a fuck, I’m not devoid of common sense. I know Kal is my friend, but she’s also a journalist. “I’ll tell you, but what I tell you stays here.”

Chapter 26

BURNING

KAL

* * *

Shit. Fuck. Why did he have to say that?

When Remi stepped out with that gun, I almost pissed on myself. But then he looked at me like he’d been hunting and finally had his prey in his sights. I felt every single place his eyes landed on me as surely as he had touched me with those big strong hands of his.

I’d forgotten what a thrill it always was just to be in his presence. Like dancing on the edge of a fire, the flames licking the tips of my toes, but not feeling any fear, because he’d never let me hurt myself. Safe. Cherished, seen. Remi had made me feel all of those things.

It had been so long since I’d felt any of them.

I was so desperate to touch him, I ached. He looks impossibly handsome. His cheeks covered in a dark beard that my fingers itch to touch. His hair has grown, too. He’s always worn it close to his head, but today, it’s long enough to get lost in.

His dark ringlets cover his head like a crown. He’s leaner, but more muscular. Every bit as tall and strong as I remember him.

Oh, God.

I want to climb him like a tree.

I deflected earlier by gushing about the scenery and trying to get us out of the pocket of tension we’d stepped into the minute we saw each other.

I’ve been taking huge imaginary gulps of air. It hasn’t helped the feeling of light headedness that’s come over me.

Being forced to think before I speak feels like a huge task. But, I have to remember why I’m here in the first place. My job.

“Kal. Did you hear me? Are you okay?” Remi peers at me.

“I’m fine. It’s just a shock to see you and of course, what you tell me, stays here.” I think I can make that promise in good faith. Whatever is going on with him, can’t possibly be about the Rivers woman. “I’m listening, go ahead.” I nudge.

* * *

He takes a deep breath. “My father didn’t die when I was two.”

Those are the very last words I expected to hear. “Come again?”

“He left when I was two,”

“Left? I don’t understand.”

“He divorced my mother. Remarried, had another kid.”

I process that quickly. “Okay, so everyone just thought he was dead?”

“No, they—my grandfather and mother—knew he wasn’t. They let us think he was dead because that was easier in their minds than us and the public knowing that he walked away.”

My eyes bug out of my head. “But, that’s… crazy. Do people actually do things like that?”

“Apparently, my people do. The kicker? Gigi Rivers was the woman he left her for.”

A feather could knock me over right now. My mind is racing. I make a