Page 72 of Killer Kiss

But I was fine. The longer I stayed in this hospital, the bigger my bill—that I couldn’t afford—would be. “I’m good. I want to check on Willa, then I need to go home and have a shower.”

Ophelia didn’t seem like she agreed, but she followed me anyway. We edged around the group, trying to be as unobtrusive as possible and leave them to their reunion.

But Luna lifted her head before we made it out of sight. “Uncle Augie! Don’t go!”

Like she had been ever since I’d plucked her from her bed, she reached her arms to me again.

I smiled at her. “Time for me to go. Your mom and dads are here now. They’ll take care of you.”

But she squirmed so hard Lacey had no choice but to put her down. She ran on her chubby-kid legs over to me and hurled herself at my shins.

Automatically, my hand cupped the back of her head.

Lacey’s gaze lingered there, on her daughter hugging my leg and my fingers in her hair. Then her eyes rose to connect with mine.

I braced myself for it. The sharp tones she’d used with me when she’d caught me at Luna’s daycare.

Instead, she stepped in and wrapped her arms around me tightly. “Thank you,” she whispered against my chest.

I tried to swallow the lump in my throat that stopped me from spewing out all the apologies I’d owed my brother’s girl for so long now. I wanted to tell her that saving her daughter was the least I owed her after the hell I’d put her through.

But by the time I’d dredged up the courage, she was stepping back, picking up her daughter and hugging her men again.

I took Ophelia’s hand and silently led her away from my brother and his family, clinging to each other like they were in a stormy sea, but all they needed was each other to stay afloat.

20

OPHELIA

The nurses refused to tell us anything about Willa’s condition, other than she was stable and having treatment. I could tell Augie wasn’t happy about not being able to see her, but he didn’t make a scene. Instead, he led me through the hospital, and I let him, marveling at the feel of his fingers between mine. We were both dirty with ash and sweat, but his hand around mine was nice.

Little sparks of pleasure at the simple touch radiated up my arm in the most peculiar way. I’d never felt like this with Nicholas the Noodle, as my brother had so affectionately dubbed my ex. I never really even remembered holding hands with him. Why would I? I wasn’t a child who needed to be kept safe from oncoming traffic. I wasn’t his property for him to claim ownership of.

When Augie held my hand, it made me understand why people did this.

I liked touching him.

I liked him touching me.

But this very simple act had the potential to get us both killed if the wrong person saw. Reluctantly, I withdrew my hand from his and tucked it into my pocket.

If he was bothered that I’d quit the public display of affection, he didn’t comment. I watched him carefully, wondering if that expression on his face was actually relief? The longer we walked in silence without him saying anything, the more I convinced myself that’s exactly what it was.

At his car, I dropped my gaze to my feet, so fucking awkward I wanted to die. I’d embarrassed myself with him last night. Thrown myself at him in desperation because I was scared.

Fucking terrified would be the better description.

In the cold light of the morning sun, I hated that woman I’d been.

I hated that I’d run to him in order to feel safe.

Hated that I’d been vulnerable.

My mother would be so bitterly ashamed of me, and frankly, so was I. If word got out that I went crying to a man every time I had a little hiccup, I’d be the subject of gossip for weeks. Even Jez would be embarrassed of my performance last night, and she was my best friend.

“Lia,” he said sharply from the other side of the car.

I looked up, loving the way my nickname sounded on his lips and hating it all in the same moment. “Yes?”

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