Page 137 of Mine to Worship

Brandon’s phone rings. He wipes his eyes and checks it.

“I have to go. The doctor is here.”

I nod and he adds. “I’ll come see you in a bit.”

“No, it’s fine, make sure she’s getting help. Your mother needs you more than me.”

“But...”

“Kian will be here soon, anyway.”

He flinches.

“Stop it, you didn’t fail anyone.”

He offers me a stiff nod, and walks away. There is no make-up in my arsenal to cover the red spot on my cheek, the nails marks around my elbow, the pain and red skin on my hip and back is an indicator a bruise will appear. I sigh.

I don’t want to lie, and covering them up will make it worse. No, we’ll talk, rationally.

Yeah, right.

I call my mom while I fold baby clothes in Kira’s room, and pretend today never happened. It’s easy because everything is baby related now. Our bond as a family will forever be unbreakable and unshakable.

Brandon needs us more than ever. An idea hits me, remembering Kian put Mikaela’s number in my phone in case I needed something. With trembling fingers, I scroll through my contacts and dial her number.

“How is Brandon?” she asks with bated breath.

“I need to ask a favor.”

The silence is loud on the other end, and I add, “You never saw Brandon today. You will not change your attitude.”

“I don’t know what—”

“Whatever is between you concerns the two of you, but please, he needs something not to change. You wanted to help today. This is how you can help.”

“I understand.”

I hang up, and my eyes land on the screen of the security camera. My heart speeds up and my skin prickles with awareness. Kian is nearby.

I forget everything when he pushes the door open. My lips stretch my face and I waddle to him. He throws his bag on the floor and races to me, but halts when we’re inches apart. His eyes, that shone one second ago with pure love and adoration, now burn with confusion. He squints, and his gaze darts from my cheek down to my arm.

“Kiss me, just kiss me,” I ask and the faucet to my tears switches on and big tears cascade down my face.

His hands fly around me, lifting me, holding me to his chest. His lips kiss every inch of my face. In the cocoon of his embrace, he shelters me, holding me together, literally. His love secludes me in a bubble where nothing bad can ever touch me and when it does, he is beside me and we fight together.

“Angel, please, I am going stir crazy right now. What happened? Who hurt you?”

It’s a wonder he held out so long.

Kian places me down, his hands resting carefully on each side of my face.

“Don’t get mad,” I plead with him.

His features turn into steel. “Too late for that.”

I sigh and lift my chin.

He shuts his eyes for a second, and his thumb grazes my swollen cheek.

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