Page 55 of Their Pretty Little Monster

“That’s possible.” He says nothing more, as if the topic bores him. But it gives me direction, knowing what I’ll search for tomorrow on the vessel.

“Thanks, I’ll do some investigating.”

After a while, he says, “Sleep now.”

I shut my eyes, trying to push away the pity, but it lingers in my thoughts. His grip on me is firm, and I find a strange comfort in it.

For the first time in too long, I let myself drift into a deep sleep, feeling safer than I ever have.

Iwake up with a gasp in my throat, disoriented and momentarily unable to remember where in the world I am. The darkness of the room presses in, memories rushing back, and I call out softly, “Killian?”

No response.

I sit up, the cool sheets slipping off me, and my eyes catch the faint sliver of moonlight coming through the slightly ajar balcony door. Faint voices drift into the room.

Rubbing my eyes, I push back the covers and swing my legs over the side of the bed. The floor is cool beneath my feet as I pad softly over to the balcony. Grabbing a shirt I’d left on the chair, I drag it down over my head and body. The closer I get to the door, the more distinct the voices become, though I can’t make out what they’re saying.

I step out onto the balcony, the cool night air washing over me. My gaze is drawn to the railing, and I glance down at the scene on one of the lowest balconies near the water.

Killian stands there, unmistakable even in the dim light pouring out from inside the vessel. His blue skin seems to absorb the moonlight, making him appear almost magical.

Across from him is Nyko, elbows propped up behind him against the railing. His wild, chestnut hair flutters in the breeze, and even from my vantage point, it’s impossible to ignore those sharp angles of his face, the heavy eyebrows, the perfectly shaped lips with a dimple in his chin. I may not see all the details from up here, but I’ve memorized him from our first meeting.

He’s ridiculously handsome, yet he gives off a crazier vibe than Killian, which worries me, especially with the butterflies fluttering in my stomach at the sight of him.

“Think she knows?” Nyko asks, the wind carrying his voice to me.

Killian shrugs. “Doubt it, but I think we should tell her.”

“Wait, didn’t you just say she hates the idea of being one of us? So, you don’t think it’s better to tell her once we get there?” Nyko’s tone is incredulous, straightening his posture.

Are they talking about me?

Killian doesn’t answer right away.

Nyko turns to stare out across the dark water. “Wolfe said he’s worried if she knows the truth, she won’t go through with it.”

My heart clenches, and my stomach knots. They’re talking about me… I just know it. What are they hiding from me?

“Fuck that. I don’t feel right keeping this from her. She’s asking questions, and it’s gutting me to hide things from her.”

Ice fills my veins. What are they talking about? I need to know.

Nyko barks a laugh. “So, what’s your plan? For all of us to keep floating on this damn vessel for eternity?”

Killian huffs, gaze lowering, hands curled into fists. “You think I don’t know what’s at stake?”

“Maybe you’re right.” Nyko changes his tune. “We tell her, let her know what she’s getting into. I guess she has every right to know who her father is, so we go in with her, knowing what she’s walking into.”

My breath catches, and I gasp, pulling back from the railing instantly in case they look up.

My father?

Why the fuck would they keep such a secret from me? And when I asked Killian about my father, he said nothing. Asshole!

Shaking from anger and fear that snaps around me, I glance down once more, but now it’s only Killian on the balcony alone, grasping the railing.

Their words hang over me, suffocating. They know who my father is, and they’re hiding it.

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