Choked (Devoured #3) by Hazel Kelly Read Free Book Online Page B

opened the
door. He slid into the drivers’ seat and turned to Julianna with a look that
was both scary and fearful, as if his eyes were reflecting the anti-Christ.
    “I’m only going to tell you this one time.”
    She turned to him and raised her eyebrows.
    “I want you to stay away from my family. Do you
understand?”
    She put a hand to her stomach. “We are your family
Kirk. We can’t very well stay away from ourselves now, can we?”
    Kirk banged the steering wheel so hard Julianna
expected it to snap off.
    “For the last time, you are not my family. Stay away
from me and my wife. Don’t send us anything. Don’t call. Don’t even look at us
if you see us. Ever. Do you understand?”
    Julianna felt his anger fill the car like a cloud of
thick smoke. “And if I don’t?” 
    “I’ll go to the police. I’ll get a restraining
order.”
    “Maybe we could go together. We might need their
help setting up how you’re going to pay your child support if I can’t be
anywhere near you?”
    His jaw was clenched so hard it hurt to look at it.
    “And then you’ll definitely have to leave Amery
because it’s practically a given that I’ll be working here in the fall. In the
psychology department, too.” She tilted her head. “So I really think a
restraining order is going to be more trouble than it’s worth if you think
about it.”
    Kirk’s face was going from pink to red.
    “The only reasonable option is still for you to grow
the fuck up, tell Madeline the truth, and raise this baby like a man.” Julianna
faced forward again. “It pains me to say this, but I actually can’t believe
what a pussy you’re being about the whole thing. I mean, you’d think the sooner
you started setting a good example for your children, the better.”
    Kirk turned the car on and reversed from the spot.
    Julianna was grateful he didn’t kick her out and
make her walk all the way back to campus on foot. It just proved that on some
level, he still cared about her. He could say what he wanted, but she knew the
truth.
    He pulled up outside the psychology building.
    Julianna put her hand on the door.
    “Julianna.”
    “Yes?”
    “I’m only going to tell you this one more time.”
    His eyes were so crazy Julianna looked to see if he
was foaming at the mouth.
    “Don’t come near my family again or else.”
    Her eyebrows came together. “Is that a threat?”
    “Don’t come near my family ever again.”
    “Kirk, are you threatening me?”
    “Don’t test me. Now get out.”
    Julianna got out of the car and watched him speed
away.
    She agreed. Testing him was proving to be a waste of
time. She was sick and tired of his empty threats, sick of waiting for him to
accept responsibility. If he couldn’t make the right choice, she would take
away his right to choose.

Kirk
     
     
    Kirk put his hands on his knees and panted at the
freshly tarred driveway for a second. He straightened up and headed for the front
door, putting his hands on his head in an effort to slow his breath and his
heart rate. When he got inside, he kicked his shoes off.
    “Honey, is that you?” Madeline called from the
kitchen.
    “Who else would it be?” Kirk said. He walked in his
sweaty socks towards the kitchen and leaned against the doorframe.
    Madeline was stirring something sweet smelling on
the stove. She wore a white apron with little flowers on it. Her hair was
pinned up but little pieces had sprung free all over. Kirk didn’t know if it
was deliberate, but he did think it was beautiful.
    For a moment, he felt like he must’ve walked into
the wrong house. Surely he didn’t deserve to have such a pretty wife, such a
fragrant meal, such a lovely home. He didn’t dare pinch himself.
    “How was your run?” Madeline asked, looking over her
shoulder at him.
    “Good, yeah.”
    “Well gimme a kiss, sweaty.”
    “I’m all gross.”
    “I said gimme a kiss,” she said. “I didn’t say shove
your pits in my face.”
    Kirk smiled and crossed