Page 67 of Killian
“You need some serious help, Khloe,” I said, feeling my anger pulse. “You almost got us killed. Three different times! There’s no coming back from dead!” It ended on a screech as I was unable to hold myself back.
Tears rolled down Khloe’s face, but the pity for her wasn’t there. I’d never been a cold person, but this … her—I couldn’t do it. The sympathy train had left the building.
“Where was the house that you got the flash from?” Killian asked.
“Let me guess, she doesn’t remember,” I grumbled under my breath. Killian’s hand squeezed, telling me he heard me. If those words came from her lips, I swore that no one could hold me down. My ass would be across that table and my hands around that woman’s throat.
Bri must’ve realized I was on the edge because she threw in, “Khloe, if you don’t tell the truth, these people can’t help you. If you lie, they’ll leave you out for the old man to find.”
That was debatable.
Khloe continued sobbing. Each tear that rolled down her face stroked the fire of hatred inside me. The woman was out of her damn mind.
“It’s on the eastside on Collins Street. I don’t know the number, but it’s a tan two-bedroom house on the left, fourth down.”
My hand slammed against the table as fury bubbled over. “And you were going to tell us you didn’t know until Bri said something. You’re a twat, Khloe.” I rose from my chair, ready to be away from that damn woman.
I was over it and over her. If I never saw her again, it would be too soon.
“I’m out.” I felt Killian at my back and heard Bri’s chair scrape on the tiled floor.
It wasn’t until I heard the hitch in Bri’s voice did I stop and turn around.
“You were my friend. We hung out and talked. I trusted you, and you threw me to the wolves like it was all the same to you.” Bri’s focus bored into Khloe’s tear-filled eyes. “This, Khloe … this will never happen again. I don’t ever want to see you again.”
My heart hurt for Bri. Anytime someone lost something they held precious, it tore them up inside. Even if that person was toxic as hell. Bri would be okay because I’d make sure of it.
I maneuvered around Bri who had tears brimming in her eyes and put my arm around her, leading her out of the room.
The one thing I thought strange was Khloe said nothing to Bri. Just dead silence.
“In here.” Killian waved Bri and me into a room. It was fairly large with two recliners, a bed, television and a small room off to the side.
“What’s this?” I asked, not letting go of Bri. She was going to cry, and I’d be here for her when she cracked.
“Panic room,” Killian said casually.
“Why do you have a panic room? Is this like your house?”
Bri’s head popped up. “His house?”
“You know, the shutter things that lock him up like Fort Knox.”
Bri nodded and left my side to investigate the space.
“I’m headin’ out. You two are stayin’ in here.”
“Where are you going?”
Killian gave me a pointed stare, and I knew; therefore, the words tumbled out of my mouth. “You’re going after him.” Not a question, but a statement because I could read the man in front of me.
“Damn right. This shit ends tonight.” Killian pulled me into his arms and kissed me hard, then turned around and disappeared through the door. The tell-tale sound of a lock turning had me moving to the door. Turning the handle, it was locked.
Hand up, I banged on it. “Not cool, Killian!”
“Relax. I’ll work better knowing you’re safe.” The voice came through a box on the wall, and part of me wanted to hit it.
“Locked up.”
“It’ll be okay,” Bri said, moving to the small door and opening it. “This place has a bathroom better than mine.”
A chuckle escaped. Yeah. Having your best friend by your side seemed to make all the bad melt away, at least for a moment.
