Page 280 of By His Rule

“What? It’s probably another one of Wilder’s fan club coming to check on him and bring him goodies.”

I laugh, but actually, the candy and chocolate the girls have been bringing for him have gone down really well.

Plus, it’s given Hendrix and me plenty of reasons to tease our favorite patient.

Obviously, I knew that Wilder was popular with the girls at school. I’ve heard more than enough tales from both of them. But hearing about it on the phone and seeing it in real life are two entirely different things.

Wilder’s eyebrows wiggle. “Booty call, you say?”

My eyes narrow. “Absolutely not,” I say firmly. “You might rule this place while I’m away, but I am not sharing this shithole trailer with some screaming Wilder Kemp fan.”

“Thank fuck for that,” Hendrix mutters, returning his attention back to the series he and Noelle are watching.

“I’ll go then, shall I?” I ask when Wilder doesn’t make a move to get it despite the fact it’s more than likely for him.

Wilder gives me one of his megawatt smiles, the one that gets him all the attention from the girls, before I push from the lumpy couch that’s older than all of us put together and walk toward the door.

My eyes drop to the baseball bat that lives propped up by the entrance to our trailer.

There was a time when I wouldn’t answer the door here without having it in my hand. Honestly, it’s probably good practice to do it still. But when I get to the door, I only reach for the handle.

The second I pull it open, a waft of man’s aftershave hits, and I can’t help but take a small step back.

I know that scent.

I—

Then I see him.

My eyes widen, and my chin drops at the sight of Kian Callahan standing before me in this shitty trailer park in the kind of town I’m sure he probably thinks only exists in TV shows.

My heart begins to race and my hands tremble as I stare blankly at him.

I have to be dreaming. Right?

He doesn’t say a word, nor do I—something that Wilder notices a few seconds later.

“Who is it, Lor?”

I blink, the sound of my brother’s voice bringing me back to earth.

“It’s…” I swallow thickly as he continues standing there on the other side of the door wearing a Ralph Lauren polo and what I’m sure are stupidly expensive designer jeans.

He does not fit in here. Not in the slightest.

“N-no one.”

Kian’s brow quirks at that.

In a panic, I attempt to swing the door closed.

I’ve no idea what I’m doing. All I know is that he can’t be here. He can’t see this.

He does not belong here.

But he’s faster than me, and before I get a chance to slam the door in his face, his hand lifts, stopping me from shutting him out.

“Lorelei,” he growls quietly, his voice broken and rough. “Don’t do this.”

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