Page 26 of Love and War

I hated Holly. And there were very few people in this world I truly hated. Holly was a piece of work. She never cared for Aziza. I didn’t know much about her, mainly because Aziza made me promise not to look into Holly. So for years I’ve kept those promises. I hadn’t looked into Holly, and before recently, Aziza.

I could feel my fingers itching, wanting to grab my phone and dive into looking for Holly and everything I needed to know about her. Instead I slowly rubbed her back while I ignored my still hard-on, and the urge to do a background check on Holly.

“Killian.”

“Yes, moya Printsessa?”

“Please don’t leave me again.” I could barely hear her. “I won’t survive it.”

My heart squeezed; I didn’t want to leave her to begin with. And I definitely wasn’t leaving now. Aziza was my whole world, and I refused to leave her.

“I’m not going anywhere, Aziza,” I declared, pressing a kiss to the side of her head. “Get some rest.”

Nodding her head slightly, I tightened my arms around her body. Pressing her harder against me, I waited until her breathing evened out before I closed my eyes and let myself fall asleep.

10

Aziza

Iboltedawake,tryingto sit up when someone’s arm tightened around my middle. For a moment I almost freaked out and screamed at the top of my lungs. Until the spice from the cologne he’s always used hit my nose. Glancing down, his arms wrapped around my middle holding me tight. For the first time in a long time, I finally felt safe. Being wrapped up here in his embrace, I felt calm, safe, and comfortable.

Until a low snore hit my ear.

Rolling my eyes, I began my task of trying to get out from under him without waking him up. I should scream, punch him. Do anything to get him out of my house, out of my bed. But I couldn’t bring myself to do so.

Instead, I spent the next several minutes untangling myself from his grip before shoving my pillow to replace myself. Sitting with my legs off the side I glanced over my shoulder, taking in Killian’s sleeping form.

We’ve slept next to each other several times.

His mouth was parted slightly, his expression completely relaxed. His arms tightened around the pillow. I half expected him to wake up realizing I wasn’t there anymore. Thankfully, he let out another small snore before I knew he was dead asleep. I don’t know when the last time was that he got a decent night's sleep.

We always slept better in each other’s arms. It was the only time I felt protected, being in his embrace. I didn’t realize I’d missed it until now. I missed talking to him for hours about what was inside my head. Feeling his love from just how he looked at me.

Even if he told me to get on my knees, even if he treated me like his own personal slut. He still loved me. Took care of me. I fought so hard at hating him. Hating what he’d done. Hating the fact he never told me why he’d left. Even with him showing up a week ago, I held so much resentment that I refused to allow myself to feel that love for him again.

Forcing myself to walk away from him, I made my way into the bathroom. Closing the door, I washed my face before throwing my hair into a messy ponytail. My stomach began to growl, reminding me I needed to check my blood sugar and eat something.

Making my way into the kitchen I grabbed my medical supplies. I prepped my finger and checked my levels.

Once that was done, I cleaned the small mess that was left from Killian cooking us dinner. Starting the dishwasher, I opened the fridge and took out a thing of yogurt, noting that it was now full thanks to Killian. Finishing the yogurt quickly I glanced at the back door.

When I bought this house, I didn’t think I would enjoy being surrounded by trees, basically being in the woods. But I quickly learned to love it. I enjoyed the quiet mornings. Sure, it was filled with birds, or other animals. But it was away from Holly, away from her nagging, away from her abuse.

I don’t know why my birth mother decided Holly, my aunt, was the best to take care of me. But that was far from it. Holly was a shit parent. Unless she needed something she treated me like I was less than dirt. She held some type of resentment towards my birth mother and me. Every time I would ask any information about the woman that gave birth to me, Holly flipped her shit, never telling me anything. All I had been able to find was her name, Anne Sinclair. She was born and raised in Boston along with Holly. Apparently, they grew up with Luca, but had stayed hidden away from Salem’s parents.

I could only find that she gave birth to me, dying after due to complications. Which means I was placed with Holly, her sister.

It was a confusing and strange situation.

I was so lost looking out into the forest that I hadn’t realized someone was behind me until I felt Killian's strong arms wrap around my middle.

“Did you eat?” he asked. I fought with wanting to tell him to fuck off and wanting to lean into his embrace.

Apparently, my body already knew what it wanted because I was leaning back into him, allowing his chin to fall onto the top of my head.

“Yes, thank you for… uh, well, grocery shopping,” I whispered. I hated this uneasiness between us. I knew it was me, I was keeping myself at a distance from him, but I couldn’t handle it if he left again.

“I’m pissed at you,” he declared.

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