Page 15 of Blinded By Forever
Killian leans towards me. “Who’s the one that came to me for a job in the first place? Asking for some sort of adrenaline because the calm life is getting boring for him?”
“And I realize the mistake I made. I found the person who is stealing from you like you wanted me to and now I want to be out. Jaclyn’s literally holding onto me by a thread and I don’t want to lose her.”
He studies me and for a moment something shifts in his expression, like he understands.
But it passes.
“I need someone I can count on, Hayden.” He says, his voice turning calmer, steadier like he is trying to be careful with his words. “If it’s not you, I can find someone else but if that someone were to fuck it up then you and I both know what kind of war will start and who would be caught in the crossfire.”
I clench my jaw.
He’s right and he fucking knows it.
Smart bastard knows how to play his cards right and that’s all thanks to his father.
I’ve only met his father, Ace De Luca, once and I realize where Killian got all of his traits from.
When I met Ace, it was over a family dinner that I was invited to because Rowan is married to someone in the family and Killian was my best-friend and boss.
Ace is everything that everyone says he is.
Cold, controlled, and selfish or at least that last part is what Killian says.
Killian has a thing against his father, everyone can tell. During the dinner Killian was very passive aggressive with Ace and vise versa.
“You used to love doing this. Now you act like it’s poison,” he adds.
“It is poison,” I mutter, “and I think I’ve swallowed enough.”
Killian finishes his coffee and sets his mug down. “You go to California. Handle this as quick and clean as possible. When you come back we can discuss what’s next for you.”
I pause because a part of me wants to just walk away from all of this and listen to Jaclyn. I want to be there for my family.
But part of me wants the adrenaline, it craves the danger and violence.
“I’ll go but I swear after this I can’t do this anymore. Even if I ask you, I need you to shove me away. I need to stop this and not put myself in this position.”
“Your brother has been bugging me about it so trust me, I’ll leave you alone, Hayden. I don’t want issues with my family.” He gives me a look that I can relate to.
Eight
Jaclyn
I tossand turn in bed before slowly waking up. Hayden’s side of the bed is empty and cold but it still smells like him, confirming he did sleep here last night.
I turn and stare up at the ceiling for a long minute, jaw clenched and breath held. Even though the fight was last night I feel like we haven’t had a proper conversation for a while, like we’re not even close to being connected like the way we were before.
No doubt the blood on his hands came from one of Killian’s victims but I don’t know what’s going on and why Hayden won’t communicate with me anymore.
I’m trying to go through all the recent memories of Hayden and I to figure out how we got to this point and what changed.
I force myself up and to shower, washing away all of the overthinking and the dangerous thoughts running through my brain.
When I’m done I throw on leggings and one of Hayden’s baggy sweaters.
His scent makes the ache in my stomach stronger but I ignore it.
I pass by River’s room and see that she’s still sleeping. Her cheeks are flushed and her curls are in a tangled mess. Drool is falling from her parted lips as she snores.
