Page 295 of By His Rule

“Do you all want coffee?” Hendrix asks, sounding much more composed than his hot-headed twin.

“Yes,” I all but cry. “Yes, we all need coffee.”

Taking Kian’s hand, I lead him back to our bed and tug him to sit.

He’s tense. His shoulders are practically bunched around his ears.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers as Hendrix demands that Wilder help him.

“Hey,” I say, cupping his jaw and turning his eyes to me. “None of this is your fault. My relationship with Matt started long before there was anything here.”

“I should be protecting you,” Kian hisses, clearly irritated with himself.

“You are,” I assure him.

“He’s also targeting you because of me.”

I swallow thickly, because he is partly right there. “He’d have done this no matter who came next in my life. He just lucked out that people know who you are, giving him a larger platform for his bullshit.”

Kian’s eyes bounce between mine as he absorbs my words.

“I’m sorry he ruined last night.”

“Again, not your fault.”

Wilder walks over with a mug of coffee for Kian, and he holds it out for him as a peace offering.

“Thanks, man,” Kian says, taking the mug and almost instantly taking a sip.

The second the taste hits his tongue, his eyebrows shoot up in shock.

He tries to hide it, but he can’t, and he ends up spluttering.

“I’m taking you all for breakfast,” he announces, abandoning his mug and pulling his discarded clothes back on.

I want to argue, refuse to take his charity, but this time, I manage to keep my mouth shut.

He just wants to do something nice.

“That sounds great. Go and get ready—we can drop you at school after.”

“Really?” Hendrix complains, obviously hoping for a day off.

“Really,” I state firmly.

He rolls his eyes and I laugh.

“He just doesn’t want to watch my fan club fawn over me.”

“Too fucking right,” Hendrix complains.

“Go and get ready, and we’ll head out,” I say before kissing Kian and walking toward the bathroom to clean up.

“Can I drive?” Wilder asks the second we emerge from the trailer.

“The kid with the concussion?” Kian deadpans. “Yeah, I don’t think so.”

“Dude, that’s harsh.”

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