The Revenge by Tijan

I smiled.





THIRTY-TWO

Kash


Bailey was half back to herself, but not all the way back.

Watching her now, as she was working on some project with Cyclone, I saw the vulnerability. It was on her, just under the surface, and it was thin. She was still struggling, but damn, she was getting stronger. Better.

“You here to stay now?”

Matt brought over a beer for me, taking the bar stool next to me. We were in the basement, with the wall section open between the bowling lanes and the bar area. Seraphina, Peter, and Payton were playing a game of pool. Theresa was up in the kitchen and Marie was in her office. I knew this because both came and checked in with me, hugging me, glad I was back.

Was I here to stay?

I had to be honest. “If I have to go, I’ll go. But I’m back mostly because I’m scared what else you and Bailey are going to do.” I gave him a pointed look.

He grinned, then shrugged. “Stay and love your woman or leave and kill your grandfather. What a choice to make.” He gave me some side-eye. “But you’re not infringing on Team Batt. We can do Team Katt or you can do Team Kailey. There’s no Team Bakatt.”

Okay. My turn now.

I leaned toward him, getting in his space and not giving a damn who noted it. “What the fuck were you thinking? There was one time her phone could’ve been lifted. Who did it? My guys said Tony was there. I know he’s got a juvie record. And then the hotel stakeout?”

Bailey’s head lifted and turned our way.

I kept going at him. “If Quinn gets proof about who stole her phone? Who hacked it? If Payton tells her? She could fuck with Bailey’s life, and you know it. She already has.”

“Payton won’t tell.”

I grunted, easing back a bit. “You don’t have a clue what Payton will do or not do.”

“What?” He looked and stared hard at me. “You do? The great and knowing Kashton Colello? So, tell me, brother. Tell me what Payton will do to hurt my sister. Huh?” His voice rose and carried.

The whole room silenced.

Eyes turned our way.

I ignored Matt’s question for a second, finding the woman in question. My gaze fell on her and she blanched. Her hands trembled, so she stuffed them behind her.

“I don’t know, Matt.” I spoke to him, my eyes on her. “I actually have no clue what Payton will do, but I would hope—”

“Kash,” a low warning from Peter.

I ignored him, too, continuing, “—that since she’s been brought into the fold, that since Seraphina and Cyclone love her so much and are so happy she’s here, that she won’t do anything to hurt anyone they love.”

Payton closed her eyes, lowered her head. Her one hand came out, rested on the pool table, and then hit it. Her head came up. Her eyes opened and she had made a decision. “Like my own sister? What about her? She knows Calhoun. Did you forget that?”

“So do you.”

Matt stiffened.

Peter swore under his breath.

Bailey was standing up, at a slow rate. Her head swung my way, then swung Payton’s way. “You do? You know Calhoun? I knew Quinn did, but … Who else knows Kash’s grandfather?”

“I—” The courage she had seconds ago looked like it was dwindling. She turned for Peter, but he was already shaking his head. She was on her own, and seeing that, Payton paled. “I would never do anything to harm Seraphina and Cyclone.” She looked hurt. “You know that, Kashton.”

She sounded hurt, too, but then she went on the offense. “Haven’t you been gone?”

Got it. What place did I have in questioning her? The whole “being hurt” was a ruse. That was her shot at me.

I smirked at her, sliding off my barstool. “You’re right, Payton. I do know you.” My head went to the side. “I know that your father worked for my grandfather. He was in business with Griogos as well. And I know that before your father died, you and Quinn stayed at my grandfather’s home for a summer.”

Payton’s pallor was getting noticeably whiter. “Everyone knows that.”

Matt raised his hand. “Uh, I didn’t. You stayed there? With him?”

She gave him a look. “He wasn’t there, and that was before everything.”

“Dad? Did you know that?” Matt asked.

Payton was looking at Peter, too, a deeper look being shared between the two. His hold tightened around his pool stick before he cleared his throat. “Uh, yeah. It’s actually how Quinn and I got to know each other. She knew I was partners with Kashton’s parents by then, and said we had an acquaintance in common.”

“An acquaintance,” Matt scoffed. “This is hilarious, and I mean that it’s not at all.” His words were biting. “What the hell, Dad?”

“Matthew.” Peter indicated Cyclone and Seraphina.

“Then maybe they should go to their rooms, because apparently there’s some real adult stuff that needs to be dealt with, like the fact that Payton and Quinn knew Calhoun Bastian?”

“You knew that Quinn knew Kashton’s grandfather.”

Matt scowled back at his father. “Not to that extent. What the hell, man? Quinn stayed at your grandfather’s house? You knew that?” The last questions were directed to me.