Page 40 of Quarterback Keeper

“Who is he?” Kylian’s words were thin, weak, and still managed to convey a wealth of fury.

I sucked in a shaky breath and pulled myself together as much as possible. He deserved to know the truth. So I told him everything but in a truncated version of the story. “I made a mistake. Dayton is my abusive ex.”

“Husband?”

“No. Thankfully. And he shouldn’t bother you ever again.”

Kylian’s eyes caught mine, and I shivered at their heat. I knew Kylian would have come out on top if Dayton hadn’t stabbed him.

“I, ah, I pushed him off the pier. He can’t swim.”

Silence. Kylian said nothing.

Does he think I’m a murderer?I shifted my weight on my knees. Whatever, I would do it again if I had the chance. Uncomfortable with Kylian’s unwavering stare, I rambled. “He was bad news, the wrong guy at the right time. I came to Chicago trying to lose him. It didn’t work. I’ll tell you more about it when you’re well.” I kept my voice as soft and soothing as possible, trying to keep us calm. “I was still in college, and he was this wealthy, good-looking guy who was into me. Anyway, we dated for a few months. After a while, I moved in with him. That’s when the signs became glaringly obvious that I was in way over my head. He was possessive, jealous, and controlling. When I tried to break up with him and move out, he showed me exactly what would happen if I attempted to leave him. But I left anyway. When I did, I hid who I was and moved as far from him as possible. I don’t know how he found me. The pictures on the blog weren’t that clear, and I didn’t use my real name. I’m just… God, Kylian. I’m so sorry this happened to you and that you got dragged into my chaos.”

A thump sounded overhead then footsteps. “Hello? Paramedics.”

“Down here. Hurry, please!”

Two men in dark clothes thundered down the steps. At the sight of help approaching, my shaking that had never entirely left kicked up a notch. They crowded around Kylian, and I moved out of the way as they worked on him. One of them turned to assess me.

I brushed him off. “I’m fine. I don’t need anything.”

He looked like he might argue, but I shifted away and pointed at Kylian. With indecision warring in his eyes, he finally turned back to help his partner. The police arrived, and I braced myself for the questions that were sure to come.

The older gentleman with gray peppering his dark temples glanced my way. “We’re going to move him now. You’ll have to follow us to the hospital.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

AURORA

Kylian is undergoing emergency surgery because of me.Tears streamed down my face as I rushed through the hospital, following the directions from the information desk to the waiting room. My hands shook as I shoved his keys into my pocket. I couldn’t process what was happening.

It’d taken more time than I would have liked to leave the harbor, due to questions from the police taking my statement. I’d made them wait for answers until I’d called Kylian’s mom. I didn’t even remember the hospital drive, but I’d finally made it.

After a few turns, I closed in on the waiting room, desperate to talk to a doctor or nurse to learn if Kylian was out yet and how he was doing. A shadow fell across me, and I jerked to the left in the hallway to avoid colliding with a man. Instead of moving, he blocked me. I lifted my gaze then sucked in a stuttering breath at the man who barred my path—Danbury Wilder. Kylian’s father towered over me, a calculating gleam in his eyes.

“How—”

“My ex-wife called about our son. I happened to be close by.” He cupped my elbow and backed me up then dragged me around a corner leading down another hallway farther from mydestination. “Before you go anywhere near my son, we have a few things to discuss, young lady.”

I yanked my arm out of his grasp. “Young lady” was a far cry from what he’d called me before, but it didn’t matter, since he made it sound just as vile. “We have nothing to talk about… unless you’ve heard how Kylian is doing.”

“He’s in surgery. That’s all you need to know.”

“Look”—I took a step back—“I’m?—”

“Spare me the ridiculous sob story about how you care for Kylian,” Mr. Wilder growled, advancing a step closer. “I want you gone from my son’s life.”

I shook my head. I wouldn’t let him bully me into running off.

“If you fail to do as I say, the repercussions will fall squarely on your head.”

“What are you talking about?” I was sick to my stomach. I couldn’t understand how such a horrible man had any relation to someone as incredible as Kylian.

Mr. Wilder’s lips peeled back, and he bared his teeth, his anger palpable. “Here’s what’s going to happen. You’ll leave right now. Evalyn and I will be the only ones to see Kylian after his surgery. You’ll visit him in a few days to tell him you are no longer interested in a relationship. I don’t care how you do it, but you will extricate yourself from his life. And there can’t be any doubt in his mind that you are ending things. Make it convincing.”

My head jerked back as if he’d slapped me. “No. I won’t do that.” I clasped my hands before me, trembling more than I wanted the monster to witness.What could he possibly do?

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