But then again, if his father had ever invited the Desaltis over or just someone they trusted, then James might have had the opportunity to see them. I’d thought Desmond would’ve met with them somewhere else and not where his wife and children lived, but I supposed he might not have cared about that.

I stopped in front of the door to my room, hesitating, but then I unlocked it and pushed it open.

James was pacing up and down the room and he looked up at me when I entered. I closed the door behind me, my jaw clenched.

“Why?” I asked, my voice not as steady as I wanted it to be.

“Why what?” His brow furrowed.

“Why the fuck did you think it was a good idea to go after Kendall? Why did you risk your life and the lives of my men?”

Confusion flashed across his face. “You didn’t have to send your men after me.”

“Really?” I raised my voice. “And what did you expect? That I was just going to stand there and let you go get yourself killed?”

“I don’t... I didn’t think you’d care.”

“You didn’t think...” I let out a nervous laugh. “Yeah, you didn’t fucking think! Why did you even go after him? What if something had happened to you?”

“It didn’t, and Kendall’s dead. I don’t understand why you’re mad at me because of that. I told you already that it was your choice to send your men after me. I could’ve handled it myself, and if something had happened to me, so what? Why do you care? None of what I did violated our deal. I wasn’t trying to run away and I came back with your men willingly. You should be happy I got that son of a bitch.” He gave me a hard look.

“Did you know Kendall?” I eyed him carefully.

“What does it matter?”

“I’m trying to understand your actions.” I still didn’t think he had a death wish.

“There’s nothing to understand.” His face was clean of all emotion. “I did what I wanted to do and it’s none of your concern why.”

I placed my hand on my hip. “Really? You disobeyed a direct order! And in front of all of my men. I can’t allow that.”

“Fine.” He lifted his chin. “What are you going to do about it? Are you going to kill me for helping you?”

“No, I’m not going to do that, but I’m going to punish you. Pull down your pants and underwear, and bend over the bed.”

“What?” He gaped at me. “You’re joking, right?”