Cruel Steps: An Enemies-to-Lovers Sports Romance by Kris Butler

Author:Kris Butler [Butler, Kris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Incognito Scribe Productions, LLC
Published: 2024-07-26T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER

THIRTY

EMERSON

Holden stood and opened his mouth, then shut it tightly. He balled his fists at his sides and paced the length of the small living room. The muscles in his arms were corded, and he looked seconds away from detonating.

He’d stop, open his mouth, snap it closed and resume his pacing. He did this a few times, never uttering any words, only motioning toward me with his hands like he was having a conversation in his head. Or wanted to strangle me. It could go either way.

Colter watched him, his brow deeply furrowed. When he turned to me, his face was devoid of its usual smile. “We need to go to the cops.”

I bit my lip. I knew he was right, but telling more people was horrifying. Holden finally stopped his pacing. There was no longer any gaping, only a glare and his arms crossed. Glancing between them, I took in their concerned gazes and sighed in defeat.

“I’ll call and see if they can come here.” Colter stood and pulled out his phone and stepped into the kitchen. Holden and I continued to stare at one another, the familiar electricity sizzling like a low-level current.

He strode forward with measured steps, allowing me to tell him to go away if I wanted. Or at least that was how I interpreted it. He took the spot Colter had vacated and turned his body toward me. His jaw twitched once before he attempted to gather himself. I could practically see the effort it was taking him not to touch me.

“The temptation to lock you in a room and make you stay there forever is strong.”

“Why?” I asked.

Holden growled. “Because then no one could harm you. You’d be safe.” He let out a deep breath. “I know I’m shit at showing it, but I do care about you, Em. So, I’m fighting my urges. But it’s not easy.”

“I don’t need you to fight for me,” I whispered. Deep down, that felt like a lie, but I wanted to seem strong in front of him, despite wanting nothing more than to let someone else handle this.

“I know you don’t, but it doesn’t mean I don’t want to. The thought of you hurt makes me feel out of control, which I hate.” He cleared his throat. “I don’t deserve a second chance, but I’m taking it since you’re giving it to me. But I don’t want to ruin it on the first day. So I’m trying. I’ll give you space, but I need to know you’re safe, too. Promise me you won’t do anything where you’d put yourself in a vulnerable situation.”

I didn’t have to think about it. I wasn’t a hero. “I promise.”

His shoulders relaxed, and he nodded, letting out a sigh of relief. “Good. Thank you, Wildcat.”

I wanted to tell him to stop calling me that, but I was too greedy for the affection to speak up. Colter stepped back into the room and took the empty chair.

“They’re gonna send someone over. You should hand over the mascot head when they’re here.

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