Page 102 of Vengeful Guard

“There is. You taught me how to defend myself, and they didn’t get me.”

I didn’t fail at that, at least. And I’m glad that she was able to use her self-defense skills to get away, but I know it should’ve been me saving her, not her saving herself, and that just about wrecks me.

“Goodnight, Paige,” I whisper, and she’s already softly snoring, her arms wrapped around her pillow.

I watch her sleep for a long time, knowing that when this night is over, I will do the right thing. I will be firmer in my resolve.

I will protect her, but I’ll stay away from her. For good, this time.

27

PAIGE

When I wake up, Kael has turned around and stolen all of the covers, wrapping them around himself like a burrito. I’m shivering, but I can’t help smiling.

It’s kind of cute for a big man like him to be wrapped up like that.

I head to the bathroom, and as soon as I look in the mirror, it all comes rushing back to me.

My father, the blood, how it squelched when I pressed down on the wound. How pale he was when they took him out to the ambulance.

I use the bathroom and brush my teeth before going back into the bedroom and grabbing my phone off the nightstand.

Kael grunts and rolls over but doesn't wake.

I call Declan first. He was the one that went to see him last night.

“How is he?” I ask when he answers.

Declan sighs. “He hasn’t woken up yet. He’s still on the ventilator. The doctor says his heart and lungs need time to heal.”

“Do they have any idea yet when he’ll wake up?” My voice cracks, and I hate it. I hate being the sensitive one in the family, hate everyone thinking of me as the baby.

“No.” Declan pauses. “Paige, I want you to come back home.”

“I can’t.”

There’s no sound reason why. Sure, I want my freedom, but now that Da’s injured, now that he might not make it…

I have to admit that part of the reason I don’t want to go back is Kael. Whatever we have going on, even though I’m loath to admit it, is exciting. I tease him about never wanting to do it again, but in reality, I want him so badly I can barely sleep at night.

Having him holding me last night, taking care of me, was the only thing that kept me from completely falling apart.

If I move back into the mansion, all that will be gone. Having him around, having him taking care of me. Having him to myself.

“Why not? Kael can watch you closely while Gray and I work. He can even move in, live in the bedroom he slept in as a kid, and you, me, Gray, and Lara can all take turns going to visit Da.”

I swallow hard.

Declan is right, of course. But it wouldn’t be the same. Not really. Kael would still be with me, but we’d be around my siblings all the time. The dynamic would change. He’d go back to how he was before.

And I’m not sure I can survive that blow too.

But is that even important right now? I hate myself for being so selfish.

“I’ll think about it.”

“All right, a’stor. Da can only have one visitor at a time, and Gray’s taking over for me tonight. Later, we can decide who comes after him, you or Lara, okay?”

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