For the most part, everything has been really awesome between Kenyon and me. I love spending time with him and Ryland. Lillian brings him to the bookstore more often, and I’ve even set a place for him to nap in my apartment upstairs so he can sleep while here. The fact that Lillian has someone with her when she comes in has been noted.
Kenyon has been bringing me to and from work every day. I tried once to go on my own, and he flipped. Said he likes taking me to work. It reassured him I’d gotten there safely. I’m not stupid. I knew something was bothering him so I didn’t push. I figured that if it involved me in any way, he’d tell me.
This morning, I have inventory coming in and didn’t want to bother Kenyon. Not when he’s sleeping so peacefully after getting in later than normal. He woke me up long enough to take me quickly and fall right back to sleep.
I called an Uber and left Kenyon a note by the coffee maker letting him know I had to get to the bookstore and didn’t want to wake him.
After getting to the bookstore, I head to the coffee counter and start a pot of regular coffee. I’m no barista, but I can work a coffeemaker by pushing a button. Okay, so Zoe sets it for me when she knows I’m supposed to be in early.
I can cook. I can bake. But I can’t make coffee. I’m the worst. It always comes out sludge-like or too watery.
While drinking my coffee, I start unloading the inventory onto the counter. Zoe comes in soon after and starts preparing for the coffee run that always hits when we open. Zoe’s made it a science to make the best of the best.
Before I can open the bookstore for the day, Kenyon comes storming in with his friend Marc behind him.
From the expression on his face, I know he’s livid.
“Hey,” I say quietly.
“That’s all you have to fuckin’ say? Hey? What the fuck, Enya? You left the house without waking me, let alone knowing I want to take you,” he yells.
“Ken, man, cool it,” Zoe says, coming to my defense.
“I suggest you stay out of it,” Marc growls, narrowing his gaze on my friend.
“Kenyon, I was only trying to be nice and let you rest. You’ve been stressed, and I didn’t think it was a big deal for me to come here on my own,” I mutter quietly, feeling ashamed to be doing this argument in front of others.
“Yeah, well, I’m not wanting you to be fuckin’ nice and let me rest. I need to keep you safe, and I can’t do that if you’re sneaking off without me knowing it.” I stiffen when Kenyon’s anger seems to rise in him.
We’ve bickered but never argued. Well, not since the first day after he confronted me for leaving the club the way I did months ago.
“Kenyon, I’m capable of takin’ care of myself. I don’t need you to bring me to and from work every day. Not when you’re exhausted from being out late the night before,” I mutter with a huff and I cross my arms over my chest.
“You weren’t takin’ care of yourself, Enya. You were surviving while giving your sister every last fuckin’ dime you had that didn’t go into this place,” he snarls, stepping even further into my space.
Feeling as if he’d slapped me across the face, I lower my head. “I think you should leave,” I utter, trying to fight back the tears.
“I don’t think so. Not until I know you get where I’m coming from,” he snaps.
“Oh, I get where you’re coming from and I think you need to leave. I don’t need to be talked to like I’m insufficient to think for myself. Or that I’m nothing. I lived through years of hell, and I’ve told you this, but I’m not going to be treated that way anymore. Going from the hell of a Supreme Masters’s hold to another is not something I want to do,” I yell as my stepfather’s voice pops into my head.
“What did you just say?” Kenyon demands in a tone that’s deathly eerie.
Oh boy.
Marc utters something about Supreme Masters to Kenyon, and his face grows redder.
Oh no.
“You’ve got to be fuckin’ kidding me,” Kenyon growls, narrowing his gaze on me before turning to the door. He stops long enough to look back at me for a split second. “You leave this store without a man on you, I’ll tan your fuckin’ ass. I’m not playing with you either.”
With that, he storms out of the bookstore.
“I suggest you listen to him, Enya. He’s pissed but it’s not completely at you. Shit’s going down and he’s stressed. You fucked up by leaving without him knowing. Now I’ve gotta go make sure he’s good. I’ll have Ian on the bookstore today so if you go anywhere, have him take you,” Marc states and goes to follow Kenyon.
Tears prick my eyes, but I suck in a breath to hold them at bay. I don’t have time for a meltdown right now. I need to come up with a plan and figure out a way to make things right with Kenyon. I knew things were stressing him out. Maybe I’d have understood better if I’d known what was bothering him.
Now I’ve done screwed things up.
I’ll wait until this evening and hopefully work things out. Even if I have to go to him at Sinner’s Cove.
Chapter 14
Kenyon
After leaving the bookstore, I went about handling business for Dean. I had a ton of shit to deal with and the last thing I needed was to think of what she’d said.
Supreme Masters.
What the fuck does she know about them?
Her stepfather is one of them
