Page 70 of Killer Kiss

But calling Luna’s parents was the most important thing. I hit the number I had saved for my brother and hoped like hell he hadn’t changed it in the few years since we’d last spoken.

It rang and rang until it eventually went to voicemail. I wasn’t going to tell him what had happened like that though. I called again. And again. And eventually on the fourth try, he picked up the phone.

“For fuck’s sake, Augie. What the hell do you want at four in the freaking morning? If you’re on drugs or need me to bail your sorry ass out of prison, I—”

“There was a fire at Willa’s place,” I interrupted him, ignoring the jab of hurt that came from him assuming I was high or locked up.

Banjo went silent for a second, then he croaked out, “How bad? Luna—”

“Is okay,” I promised him. “I got her out. We’re at the hospital with her now, but Willa…”

There was a muffled shout on his end and the sound of other voices.

“She’s hurt pretty bad, Banjo. You all need to come to the hospital. Now.”

More questioning tones came from Banjo’s end of the phone, and he relayed everything I’d told him to the rest of his family. Lacey’s cry of pain cut through me, and I was instantly transported back to that hallway, feeling like I couldn’t go on.

If I hadn’t gotten up…

I tried to shove the insidious thought away. I had gotten up. And Luna was asleep on my lap and just fine because of it.

Lacey would get to hold her baby again tonight.

I didn’t know if Colt would get to do the same with his mother.

Banjo’s voice came back louder in my ear again. “We’re leaving now. But we’re an hour away. Stay with Luna, Augie. Please. Don’t let her out of your sight.”

I swallowed hard and nodded, even though he couldn’t see it. “I’ve got her until you get here.”

He hung up without another word, and I put the phone back down.

Lia smiled tightly at me. “You’re going to get to see your brother again. Properly, I mean. He’ll actually have to talk to you.”

I nodded, closing my eyes.

The thought was fucking terrifying.

Iwasn’t aware of falling asleep, but when I woke, the sun was rising outside the window, and Ophelia was still slumped in the chair beside my bed, her head lolling to one side, her mouth open while she slept.

I chuckled. But even exhausted like she was, her hair a mess, and wearing my clothes which I hadn’t even noticed before, she was still so beautiful.

In fact, I was pretty sure I liked this look on her better than when it seemed like she’d just stepped off a fashion runway in Milan, with her hair neatly combed and her expensive clothes all fitted and perfect.

Best of all, I liked her when she was naked in my bed, writhing around on the sheets.

My back was aching from being in one position so long. Or maybe it was all the stumbling around in the darkness of Willa’s burning house, but I needed to get up and move. I tried to put Luna down on the bed beside me, but she woke up and shook her head hard. I smiled at her, praying she wouldn’t freak out now that she wasn’t quite as traumatized as she’d been earlier.

“Hey. Do you remember me?”

She nodded. “Uncle Augie.”

“Yep. You know where we are?”

“Grandma’s work.”

I raised an eyebrow. “That’s right. At the hospital where your grandma works. Lots of her friends are here too. They’ve been helping us feel better.”

She just stared at me with those huge brown eyes.

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