Page 27 of Beautiful Trauma
“You don’t have to worry about her. My brother took care of her ex.”
“Like you did with Anthony?”
Unlike Dare, I didn’t string up Anthony and torture him slowly before killing him. But I couldn’t tell Mya that. A statement like that would send her running.
“Exactly.”
“Then he’s got a good heart like his brother.”
With a smile, I replied, “Dare would argue that I’m the one with the good heart, not him.”
When surprise flashed in her eyes at my statement, I furrowed my brows at her. “Did that admission shock you?”
“Uh, no, um, not at all.” With a sheepish look, she said, “I guess I was a little surprised about your brother’s name.”
I laughed. “It’s his nickname. His real name is Darragh.”
“Oh that makes sense.”
A knock came at the door then. “Sir?”
“Come in.”
The door swung open to reveal a waitress holding a tray with what I had requested. “Thank you,” I said, taking it.
“You’re welcome,” she replied before hurrying back out.
After walking over to the table in front of the couch, I set the tray down. When I reached out to pour Mya some tea, I froze at the sight of my blood-spattered hands.
“I really need to get cleaned up.”
“Okay.”
“Will you be okay out here?”
She gave me a reassuring smile. “I’ll be fine.”
With a nod, I started to turn to go to the bathroom, but I stopped. At Mya’s expectant look, I allowed my insecurities to gain hold. “You won’t leave, will you?”
When she didn’t say anything, I argued, “I mean, you have every right to get the hell away from me. I just beat up your ex and unburdened dark shit on you. I’d totally run away if I were you.”
“No you wouldn’t,” she replied softly.
Cocking my brows, I asked, “I wouldn’t?”
She shook her head. “Only a coward would run away, and you’re a lot of things, Kellan, but you’re not a coward.”
I knelt down beside her. “That’s where you’re wrong, Mya. Because I’m scared out of my mind right now.”
“You are?”
“I’m a complication you don’t need.”
“That’s not how I see you.”
“That’s because you don’t know me or my world.” I winced at that admission. “I mean, my life is complicated.”
“So is mine as you’re well aware of.”
