CADEnce (Deception Book 2) by D H Sidebottom, Ker Dukey Page A

made me stupidly rich. It was never to gain popularity or fans; they just came with the genes our folks gave me.
    “They’d think you’re a kidnapper and rapist, that’s what I think.”
    “Is that what I am, Star?” He walked over to her. My instinct wouldn’t allow me to stand and watch. I was instantly restrained by armed officers, my arms forced back in a harsh snap as I struggled in their hold.
    “That’s not her fucking name!” I shouted. “Just arrest us if that’s your plan.”
    No one but Dante moved. “That’s not the plan. You don’t come into my house, touch me and make accusations.”
    “What are you going to do, kill us in front of twenty police officers?” My heart was beating out of my chest. I just wanted to get to Faye out of there. I should have shot him and left while I had the chance. I’d have risked a prison sentence if I knew she was safe and waiting for me.
    “That’s the difference between me and you, Cade. I was always the one with brains. I don’t pay brutes to protect and serve.” He walked towards me.
    “Is this where your brains got you, Dante? Alone on an island where you harbor kidnapped women?”
    He was grinning again. I wanted to kill him. “You’ve outstayed your un- welcome.”
    “I’m not leaving without her.” I gritted my teeth and tried to pull from the fuckers holding me but it was useless. One shoved his gun against my spine.
    “I should kill you, but a slow death is more appealing to me. One where your heart crushes you when you realize she loves me not you, and when she comes home of her own free will, I hope it fucking breaks you.” He nodded to the cops holding me. They maneuvered me over to the table and pinned my hands down.
    “I’ll let her come with you, Cade, and every time you touch her she will feel your scars and think of me, if she isn’t already.”
    My scars? What the fuck? The gun firing pierced the silence, followed by Faye’s screams, and excruciating pain exploded in my hand before I even realized he’d shot me.
    “No! You bastard, Dante. That’s your brother, let him go!” Her terror was keeping me from thinking about the lava in the palm of my hand.
    “It’s okay, baby,” I managed to get out against the shock making my body vibrate.
    “Oh and, Cade, she’s not your baby. ”
    Another shot rang out and my other hand ignited in pain. My vision blurred, my teeth chattering to over-ride the torture tearing through my hands.
    Muffled grunts echoed around me, making me aware of my men trying to get free.
    Dante held up his hand. “Get them off my fucking property, and Star . . .” He chuckled slightly and blew her a kiss. “I’ll be seeing you soon . . . baby. ”
    Blood poured from my hands like a running faucet, making me queasy as I was dragged from the room with the rest of my guys, and then hit on the back of the head with a gun.

THE BLOW TO THE BACK of Cade’s head knocked him out cold. I had never been more lost and broken in my whole life as when he stormed that room and witnessed Dante inside me. How would he be able to look at me like he used to?
    It was hard watching Cade so indulged in his demons as he held the gun to Dante. I didn’t feel anything at the thought of Dante dying. I think a part of me was convinced he died long ago and the person in his place, claiming his face and name, was just a ghost wrecking the memories I had of a man I loved once upon a time.
    What I couldn’t face was Cade taking his life. Going to prison for the rest of his life and living with taking the life of a man he shared a womb with.
    How did we get to this? Cade had a bullet hole in each palm from his own flesh and blood and it was all my fault. With every passing second he remained unconscious, a little piece of me faded with him. Jenson was restrained outside and went crazy when he saw Cade bleeding and then knocked out. I was in a dream state, my brain trying to make sense of everything.
    Frank held me while my body