Page 79 of Bonding with the Beta

“It’s okay,” I whisper. “I’m fine. I’m right here.”

She sniffles. “H-how did you move so fast?”

“What?”

“You grabbed the gun and manoeuvred yourself as if it was easy. It happened so quickly. How?”

I pale a little as the lie crawls up my throat. “Oh, I’ve taken self-defence classes in the past.”

Kayleigh blinks. “You have?”

“Yeah.” I cup her cheek, wishing I could tell her the truth about my life, but now definitely isn’t the right time. “Come on, let’s get some sleep.”

“D-don’t leave me tonight. Please.”

My heart crumbles at the pleading in her voice. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Thank you.” She smiles, but it’s forced and painful.

I help her in her pyjamas before removing my shirt and trousers and crawling into bed behind her. My arms close around her body, and I hold her tight. I don’t sleep, not even when the sun rises.

24

KAYLEIGH

“Oh my God.” Evie claps a hand over her mouth as I explain what happened the night of my date with Kayden. “Holy shit, Kayleigh. Are you okay?”

I nod slowly. “Yeah, just a bit shaken up. It was scary. I thought Kayden was going to get hurt. The gun could have shot him. It all happened so fast.”

“Kayleigh,” she shakes her head, “it could have hit you, too.”

My fingers clasp together in my lap as I look down. “The last few days have been hectic. We went to take statements and stuff.”

“What’s happening with the drunk officer?” she asks. “Do you have to go to court?”

“They said we can testify, which will help the jury come to a guilty verdict,” I say. “But there isn’t a court date yet. It could be months before it happens.”

Evie blinks. “But he’s been arrested, right?”

“Yeah, he’s in jail right now. I don’t think he can make bail, which is good. Means he can’t hurt anyone else while he’s rotting away, right?”

“Yeah, totally. I’m so sorry this happened to you.”

I shrug. “It’s okay. I’m just glad no one was hurt.”

“And Kayden, he’s okay?”

“Yeah,” I whisper. “He’s been worried about me.”

“When was the last time you spoke to him?”

I shrug once. “I’ve been ignoring his messages.”

Evie’s brows lower instantly. “What? Why?”

“The whole situation scared me.”

“With the police officer?”

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