Chapter 8

Kate's POV:

Panic crept in as I stared at the clock, the numbers blurring together. 2am. Two hours had turned into four, and still, no sign of Kael or my babies. My mind raced with worst-case scenarios, memories of today's events flooding my thoughts.

I had witnessed Kael's volatile behavior, the way he lashed out at the store clerk, his eyes flashing with a dangerous intensity. the way he gripped my neck, the way his manhood nearly ripped out my neck. And yet, when he asked to see his daughters, I couldn't bring myself to refuse. The agreement we had in place granted him full moral access to them, and I couldn't deny him that, no matter how much my instincts screamed at me to protect my children.

But now, as the hours ticked by, I couldn't wait any longer as I called for Kyle, he rushed in in a minute, like he was already waiting for him to be called.

"Kyle, I need your help," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "Kael was supposed to bring the girls back hours ago, but he