Page 126 of What Doesn't Kill Her

Groin, groin, groin, groin.As Nils collapsed, the memory of Rae’s piping voice echoed in Kellen’s mind. “Honey, you shouldn’t—”

“That’s my girl.” Verona patted Rae’s head.

“You’re sending her mixed messages,” Kellen said in exasperation.

“We’ll have to deal with that later.” Verona stood over his writhing body. “Kellen, your room is 345. Take Rae and go on up.”

Kellen took Rae’s hand and headed up to the third floor, and as they climbed, they heard Verona scolding in the kind of low-pitched menacing voice that would have brought Nils low, if Rae hadn’t already done that.

Halfway up, they came face-to-face with Max. “Hey,” Kellen said, because today, with him, she was full of witty conversation.

“Hey.” He was equally eloquent. “You, um, need to get ready soon.”

“Headed up there now. Not too much longer...” They moved toward each other.

“Daddy, you are not supposed to see Mommy!” Rae flushed with indignation.

Max glanced at his daughter and seemed to realize she was there. “Did you hurt your hand?” he asked her.

“A little.” Rae cradled her fist. “When you punch ’em in thegroin, it’s sort of soft. It doesn’t hurt like thesternum.”

“Who did you punch in the groin?” Max asked, then started to laugh. “Nils Brooks? You punched the fabulous fighter, Nils Brooks?”

“Like mother, like daughter,” Kellen said.

“I’m torn between wild amusement and worry. Will he be able to perform his duties?” Max asked with a nod to Rae.

“I’m sure he’s staggering to his feet as we speak,” Kellen said.

“Probably. I’d hate to admit a seven-year-old had brought me low, especially one I was supposed to be guarding.” He slid his arm around Kellen’s waist and brought her close. “You are so fabulous.”

Rae interrupted impatiently. “IknowI am. Daddy, wait until you see my dress. I get to have stars on my sash and on my hair thingie!”

“That’s great, honey. Does that make you happy?” He was half listening to Rae, half wanting to kiss Kellen.

Verona appeared behind them. “Max! I am at the end of my rope. You’re not supposed to be seeing Kellen, much less speaking to her. It’s bad luck.”

“I thought you weren’t superstitious,” Kellen said.

Verona gave Kellen the kind of look that reminded Kellen she had been an elementary school teacher and must have put the fear of God into her students. “Go get your stupid treacherous friend and take that pagan godless head and put it somewhere no one will see it! Now!” She pointed down the stairs.

“Mom, remember what I told you. Nils Brooks is going to keep an eye on Rae, just to make sure she’s okay today.”

“Yes, yes. I don’t know why you’re worried, but he can stand guard if you want him to.” Verona shook her finger at Max. “But he’d better remember to show respect to me and my family!”

“I’m sure between you and Rae, he knows that now.” Keeping close to the wall, Max slid around them, but he and Kellen never broke their gazes.

Verona gave Kellen a push between the shoulder blades. “Up the stairs.”

“Wait.” Kellen stepped close to Max again. “Did you put that special package in my room?” Her stash of emergency weapons: her smallest pistol, her most discreet knife and the weapons Birdie had brought.

“In the safe in the closet. You know the code to open it.”

“My usual code?”

He nodded and leaned in to kiss her.

Verona gripped Kellen’s upper arm and yanked her away. “Come on! Let your friend Birdie dress you. I’ll get Rae ready.”

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