Razing Kayne Read Online Free PDF Page B

morning’s fantasy. By her comment, she was feeling uneasy too. “You know, I really
     should go. I have—”
    “No, no! Stay!” Gracie launched herself at him without warning.
    Kayne lunged forward and caught her before she could earn herself a trip to the emergency
     room.
    Jessica frowned. “I was kidding.”
    Yeah that made two of them, he thought even as he hugged the little daredevil close.
     He'd only known one other child who behaved like Gracie, but Natalia lay in a tiny
     white coffin, under six feet of earth.
    “Pease? Pease! ” Gracie pleaded with those big, blue eyes of hers. She reminded him so much of his
     daughter Natalia that his heart ached. Hell, Natalia had even pulled that dive bombing
     stunt a time or ten, and like the little imp in his arms, she'd been wholly unrepentant
     about it.
    “Burgers and dogs are ready,” Joe announced.
    “Grab a plate, dig in.” Del tried to take Gracie, who was determined to stay right
     where she was.
    “I'll wait.” Kayne snuggled the little sprite closer, though he knew he'd regret it
     later. “Let's get the kids fed first.”
    “Maddy, grab the wipes and get everyone's hands clean while I start filling plates.”
     Jessica walked off without waiting for a reply. Her tone left Kayne wondering if she
     was that unhappy with his being there.
    Managing to extract himself from Gracie by distracting her with his keys, he stepped
     into line behind Jessica. “Let me help you.” When the alarm to his truck started beeping
     off and on, Kayne cringed. He was going to end up regretting handing her those keys.
    “Thanks, but I've got it.”
    He noted Jessica blushing, the way she wouldn't make eye contact. Had he done something
     to embarrass her? Something she knew about, he amended, thinking again of her debut
     role in his fantasy.
    “Hey, the least I can do is be your slave,” he teased.
    Her reddening cheeks darkened.
    Hm. What was that all about ? He nudged her with his elbow. “You know, to make up for stalking you.”
    “That one is for Grace.” She nodded to the plate in front of him.
    “What else should I put on it?”
    “Not much. She won't eat anything if the foods are touching in any way.”
    That surprised a laugh out of him. “Natalia was just like that.”
    “Who?” Jessica made eye contact with him for the first time.
    “She was my daughter.” God, he didn't want to talk about this. Why the fuck had he
     even mentioned her?
    “Was?” Jessica’s voice was soft and hesitant.
    He looked toward the snow-covered hill, watching Ash snowboard down it. “She was about
     Gracie's age when she died. Two years ago.”
    “Oh, God. I'm so sorry, Kayne.” She rested her dainty hand on his forearm.
    He couldn't help but look down, surprised at the strength in her grip. When he saw
     the tears welling up in her eyes, he had to look away, feeling his own threaten to
     do the same. He didn't want her pity.
    Taking a quick step back he said, “I'll go get Ash for you.” Then he quickly walked
     away.
    Kayne needed the walk to clear his head. He tried so hard to keep his kids off his
     mind, pissed at himself for mentioning Natalia to a stranger. He had no idea what
     the hell he was doing here. He'd planned on staying away from Jessica and her kids.
     He needed to stay away from them, because he knew one of these nights, as he sat on his couch
     with a bottle of whiskey and his loaded firearm on the coffee table in front of him,
     that he was going to screw up his courage and actually pull the trigger.
    He never wanted to give anyone the chance to miss him the way he missed his children.
     He would not break someone the way Oksana had broken him.
    Kayne watched Ash board down the little hill until he stopped next to him. “Lunch
     is ready.”
    “I just want to board.”
    Yeah, Kayne knew that feeling. Getting lost in some virgin powder sounded really fucking good right now. “There will be other times.” Kayne held out his hand. “Come