Page 29 of Killian
“What’s wrong with her hand?” Killian asked as we made a move to leave the room.
“Mousetrap in the closet. She stuck her hand on it,” I explained as Killian had a clear look of concern on his face.
“It jumped out at me!” Bri cried, but I did see a hint of a smile on the corner of her lip. She was okay. Thank God.
“Right. Get packed. Cops will be here soon, and then we’re goin’ to my place.”
On a nod, we went to the bedroom and packed. It wasn’t easy, but I pushed down the fear and allowed the adrenaline to get me through.
Elliot was the first to arrive. I was still pissed at him for the other night, but none of that mattered because when I saw him in his uniform striding to me, I fell into his arms. He wrapped me up tight, and I let the comfort of my brother seep through to my bones.
I’d never in my life been shot at, and it was a feeling I never wanted to have again.
“What the fuck happened?” Elliot barked. I jumped, looking up at him, but he wasn’t addressing me. No, his hard gaze was set on Killian who stood behind me. Killian didn’t even hesitate or balk under my brother’s scrutiny.
“No ID yet. I’ll watch the video and let you know if I know them.”
“Video?” I asked, but Killian didn’t answer me.
“Had Diesel here watchin’ out. He clocked them, called me, and came in to get the girls.”
“Diesel?” My eyes darted around the room to the man who was all in black. His light brown hair was cropped close to his head, broad shoulders and arms that looked as though they could break someone. His tawny eyes hit mine, and I paused for a moment. There was something about this guy. Something deep inside him was all wrong. He definitely looked like a Diesel. Strong, determined, and hard.
Being curious, I wanted to ask, but I kept my mouth shut. Frankly, no matter my level of curiosity right then, all I wanted was to get out of my house.
“Want to tell me why the hell she was getting shot at in the first place?” My brother’s tone was clipped, and I pulled out of his arms, but he wrapped one arm over my shoulder and held me tight. Red and blue lights were flashing through the very open windows. We were in this awkward standoff with the tension radiating off my brother like I had never seen before.
It was at that moment I started looking around my place.
Destroyed.
Total devastation.
There was no other word for it. My furniture, walls, floor—all of it had bullet holes. There would be no saving a lot of it.
“Considerin’ those boys are still in lockup, it’s not them. Other than that, I’ll find out.”
My brother’s grip got tighter. “I gave you a pass night one. Now, we got problems. She hooks up with you, and suddenly she’s in danger. Don’t like that shit. Not a single thing about it sittin’ right with me. Thought you’d be the best for her. Only reason I stood down that night and let you take her home.”
“I didn’t…” I tried to speak, cutting off Elliot, but Killian talked over me once again.
“Brother, put a cap on that shit now. You know the play.”
I tried again. “Play? What play?” And I was ignored.
“Yeah, but that was before all this shit. You were supposed to keep her clean and safe,” Elliot accused. Clean? Clean from what?
“And I fuckin’ am!” Killian roared. “What I’m not doin' is explainin’ that shit to you.”
I pulled away from Elliot, getting in the middle of the two men and yelled, “Stop it right now! Whatever this is between you, isn’t for right now. We were shot at. I’ve had a day straight from Hell. I want to get out of here, not listen to you two go back and forth about shit no one seems to understand but, well, you two!”
Killian reached for me, pulling me into his body. It was so damn warm, and I found comfort in him. My eyes shut for a moment, breathing him in.
“I’ll take care of you,” Killian said into my ear, and I shivered.
“Ellie?” Elliot said, and I looked to my brother. He was still pissed off, but he wasn’t the only one. We’d iron everything out later. “You’re good, Ellie? With him?”
My head moved on its own accord. Even though I was truly far from good, I was determined I would be. Once this was sorted, we’d all be okay. I had to have that hope. Sometimes hope was the only thing to hold on to.
