Kade’s hands snap to the Unfortunate’s throat and he squeezed until his knuckles turned white. He gasps for air, his fingers, the same fingers that dug themselves into Nine, were now fighting, clawing against Kade’s arms in a desperate attempt to live. A few moments passed by and the Unfortunate’s hands fell away… and he became lifeless.
The third person Kade had ever killed.
He released the Unfortunate and sat back on his heels, watching. He couldn’t help but notice that it felt different this time around… it felt justifiable. Because of Kade, Nine never had to see his face again and it had nothing to do with emotion or fondness. He owned her and he was defending his own name.
He felt he should clean up the body, maybe bury it, but that would only waste time Kade didn’t have. Besides, the death of an Unfortunate didn’t matter in this society. No one would ever convict him. No one would ever chastise or be disgusted by him… because the Unfortunates didn’t matter, and to die at the hands of a Fortunate was normal—expected, even.
He wiped his hands over his shirt and pushed himself to his feet. He noticed his heart was beating rapidly, too fast for his brain to keep up. It restricted his chest, tightened it until he couldn’t breathe. This isn’t me… I’m not a killer. My father… he’s the killer. He swallowed hard and took a step back, raking his fingers through his hair. What was happening to him? He had no idea. As he stood, studying the dead Unfortunate at his feet, there was a tug in his chest, one that begged him to return home, to return to Nine. She would comfort him… tell him he’s nothing like the others. That’s what he needed, to be convinced that he wasn’t his father.
He stormed from the room and slammed the door behind him. When he turned around, he was startled by Elizabeth’s sudden appearance. If she saw what was in the room behind him she would blow it way out of proportion. Her blue, quizzical eyes raked him from head to toe, focusing on every little dot of blood, blood that wasn’t his, blood that he took in vengeance for something that shouldn’t matter to him as much as it did.
“What were you doing in there, Kade?” Elizabeth pried, pushing off the wall.
Her blonde curls swayed against her shoulder as she stepped forward. Her eyebrows drew in accusingly and the not-so-subtle pout on her lips told him she already knew what he was doing. How long had she been she standing there?
He stuffed his hands into his pockets. “None of your business.”
She surveyed the blood on his clothing. With every drop, her face grew darker. “You killed him, didn’t you? The Unfortunate who hurt your precious whore?”
Kade found himself smirking, despite the anger her words stirred. Did he actually enjoy what he did? “You’re jealous?”
He knew her answer. They’d had this conversation plenty of times before. She scoffed, dismissing his observation with a flick of her hand. “Of an Unfortunate? Don’t be so ridiculous.”
“Then what’s your problem?”
Her features softened and her big, blue eyes glistened in the light. “I miss you… I don’t see you anymore.”
“I’m busy.”
She stepped forward and Kade’s brows drew closer as she reached out for him. He stood still, allowing her arms to surround his waist. It wasn’t because he needed comfort from her. He just knew he’d never get out of here without her causing a scene… unless he gave her what she wanted. His hands remained in his pockets as she pressed her head against his chest. It was a meaningful embrace to her, Kade could feel it in the pressure she held him with, but to him, he was bored and eager to get the hell out of here.
“Are you finished?” he asked, letting his head tip to the side as she peered up at him.
She was hurt and made no effort to hide that behind her parted lips, but Kade didn’t have the time to worry about it, and besides, he was still mad at her. Twice she’d fucked around with his things. Twice he had to tell her to back off and that wasn’t something he was going to forgive easily. Then, without notice, she lifted herself on the tips of her toes and pressed her lips to his. She’d changed the taste of her lip-gloss from apple to cherry. Kade was fond of cherry. As she kissed him, she slipped her tongue between his lips. In his pants, Kade began to harden. It wasn’t because he was aroused, not really, he just hadn’t had sex in weeks and his body wanted it, desperately… but he didn’t want it with Elizabeth and he couldn’t have it with Nine. His hand was his only option for release, not a particular favourite of his, that’s for sure. Finally, he removed his hands from the pockets of his black slacks and placed them on her hips. The gesture caused her to push herself harder against him. He slid his hands up the contour of her body, to her shoulders, and he gripped them before pulling her lips from his. Her face contorted into a confused scowl.