Club Scars by Mara McBain Read Free Book Online Page B

even more pronounced. She was the mirror image of Kassandra. When he’d lost his wife he’d thought he’d go out of his mind. Grieving had been a long battle for both of them. Katrina had been the only thing to keep him sane. He had clung to her. When she’d lashed out in anger and distrust it had nearly brought him to his knees. He’d tried reasoning with her but she was stubborn and headstrong even at twelve. She’d refused to believe that her mother had deserted them. The bitch’s whispered lies had turned his princess against him. One last “fuck you” in the rearview mirror.
    With time, and a lot of counseling for Katrina, he’d thought they’d made it past it. As much as mother and daughter were alike, their daughter had a strength that had been lacking in Kassandra. His lips curled into a wry smile; perhaps there was a little of him in Katrina as well. Either way, she was a passionate woman in need of a strong hand and he’d given her that. Then, at eighteen, she’d run again. That time, her age and Croston’s interference had prevented him from giving her the help she needed. 
    Thinking about it, his grip tightened on the cut-crystal glass in his hand. The surge of joy and rage that had welled up in him at seeing them again still burned hot. He couldn’t fathom her attraction to that disfigured side show freak. The thought that she’d been married to that animal for fifteen years made him nauseas. He ground his teeth. How could she bear to have his filthy hands on her? The monster had despoiled his little angel. The marked bastard was going to pay. It was past due. Pride had gotten the best of him fifteen years ago. He’d been more than patient. No matter what it took this time, he would bring his little girl home where she belonged.

Five

    The drive and sidewalk had been shoveled clean when they pulled in. He’d have to thank his brothers. Parking the Navigator in the garage, Crux hurried around the vehicle to open the passenger door. He was worried about Kat. Dark circles cupped her anxious eyes. He bit his tongue, not sure what to say. She’d been this way since her father’s visit. Nothing he said made a difference. He wanted, needed , the feisty woman who was always ready to fight at his side. This quiet, sullen shell of that woman was just not cutting it for him.
    She pressed close as he opened the back to unfasten the baby seat. Her anxiety rubbed him the wrong way. Didn’t she trust him? Shouldering the diaper bag full of goodies from the hospital, along with Kat’s overnight bag, he hooked the carrier over his forearm and wrapped the other arm around Kat to escort her inside.
    The rich smell of beef hit them as soon as they opened the door. Flowers and balloons littered the kitchen and a large Crock-Pot held a roast with all the fixings. It looked like he needed to thank his brother’s old ladies as well. Glancing into the living room, a portable crib was set up next to the end of the sectional. The nearby end table was stocked with baby paraphernalia and the couch held a nest of pillows and blankets for mom.
    “They’re the best,” Kat murmured, fingering the multi-colored ribbons trailing from a balloon bouquet as she sank teary eyed onto the couch.
    “They’re great, but it’s nothing you wouldn’t, or haven’t, done for them.”
    “Why do you have to be so growly? They were trying to help, to be nice. Show a little appreciation.”
    He blinked at his wife, a scowl darkening his face.
    “Watch your fucking tone,” he growled.
    “I didn’t know that I had a tone ,” she snapped back, unfolding her blanket with a flip that flicked at the end of Crux’s nose.
    His eyes flared before narrowing to seething slits. A low growl rumbled from his chest.
    “What in the fuck is your problem?”   
    “I was just saying that it was nice of Gin and the girls to take care of everything so when we came home we had no worries. Is that so bad?”
    “And I agreed with