Page 272 of By His Rule

I’d be lying if I said I haven’t thought about him.

I was stuck on an airplane for four hours. While Wilder’s condition might have been something of a distraction, Kian was never far from my thoughts.

No matter how hard I try, he’s always freaking there.

“Why?” I ask, trying to sound unconcerned.

“Lorelei,” Tate warns as I finally emerge through the doors to the arrivals and find Noelle waiting for me.

It’s the middle of the night, and she looks exhausted. But she looks just as concerned as I feel.

She is by far the best thing that’s ever happened to my little brother.

I just wish the two of them could realize how perfect they are for each other.

"Hi,” I mouth as I step up to her before releasing my suitcase and pulling her in for a hug.

She holds me tighter than I was expecting.

“Lorelei?” Tate repeats after a few seconds.

“Sorry, I just got to Noelle. I should go.”

“You’re smarter than to avoid him,” she warns ominously down the line.

“Things are complicated, Tate,” I attempt to explain as Noelle leads the way toward the exit.

“When aren’t they? You just walked out on him.”

“So he told you then,” I mutter, unsure if I’m relieved that I don’t have to do the talking or pissed off he’s spilled our secrets to my best friend. It’s not that I wouldn’t tell her, of course I would. I just…I want to decide where and when that conversation happens.

“Well, not really. He went to your place and couldn’t get an answer. He then turned up here to get me to contact you.”

“Fuck. How long ago was this?”

“Hour or so. I sent him home to think about what he’s done and to give you some space.”

“Fuck,” I breathe as I drop into the passenger seat of my own car to allow Noelle to drive us to the hospital.

“What’s really going on here, Lori?”

“Not now,” I say, feeling exhausted now that I’m here and the adrenaline is ebbing away. “Just…please don’t tell him where I am,” I beg.

“You want me to lie for you?” she asks.

“Yes. I can’t deal with him as well as this. Just…please.”

“Babe, you know I’ll do it without question. I’m just making sure that that’s what you really want.”

“It is. I’ll deal with him when I get back.”

“And what should I say in the meantime? I’ve never seen him anything but calm and collected. But earlier…well. Whatever happened, you fucking rocked him, Lor.”

I close my eyes for a beat, and immediately, his face as he stared down at me only a few hours ago and told me all the things I could only dream of, comes back to me.

My stomach knots and my chest aches all over again.

“Tell him you don’t know. Tell him that you won’t tell him. I don’t care, Tate. Just…don’t tell him the truth. If he comes here…” I trail off as panic sets in. “Hecan’tcome here.”

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