Page 98 of Where Broken Wings Fly

Killian steps out of the bathroom, stark bollock naked. Rather than rushing to cover his bare ass up, he looks between me and Zach, his lips twisting into a proud smirk.

“Mind giving us some privacy?” he asks in a light-hearted voice. “I’d like to hear Willow scream my name again in the shower before I cook your damn breakfast.”

“By all means, go ahead.” Zach invites him with a hand wave. “You don’t mind if I watch this time, do ya, cuz?”

“I do!” I squeal.

“You’re embarrassing her, Kill.”

“Me?” Killian drones.

“Maybe I should take over.” Zach sends a sultry wink my way. “You can cook breakfast while Willow screams my name instead. Sound good?”

“You’ll get your turn, kid. Go on, fuck off.”

Still naked, Killian marches over to the door and slams it in his expectant face. I can hear Zach groaning with disappointment from the other side, and Killian turns to face me with an exasperated eye roll.

“You better get showered before I climb back into that bed and give Zach something to complain about.”

“Z-Zach?”

He scoffs. “You can bet he’ll be listening to us now, he’s the jealous type. Plus, we have a birthday party to prepare for. Or did you forget?”

Groaning in annoyance, I make my jelly legs stand and try my best not to faceplant. Killian laughs at every reluctant step I take towards the shower. All I want is to burrow beneath his duvet and sleep for another ten hours.

“Shift it, we have work to do.” His hand slaps against my ass cheek on my way past. “Princess parties don’t plan themselves around here.”

CHAPTER 19

WILLOW

WILLOWS - HANS WILLIAMS

With my hands clasped over Arianna’s eyes, I guide her outside into the warm spring sunshine. The entire town has gathered in Lola’s sprawling back garden, a huge green space filled with every decoration imaginable.

Fairy lights, streamers, balloons, even a huge bouncy castle. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted for Arianna. She can finally celebrate like a real little girl, surrounded by family and loved ones instead of pain and death.

“Ready, baby?” I croon.

“Yes, Mummy! Show me, show me!”

Steering her into the middle of the massive group, I remove my hands. Arianna squeals loudly, bouncing up and down as she takes in the organised chaos all around us. Everyone is shouting and clapping, setting off party poppers and engulfing her in a torrent of love.

I watch with happy tears picking my eyes. It’s a beautiful sight, seeing her run towards the bouncy castle, surrounded by other kids to play with. She’s made friends while being home-schooled by Rachel in the last couple of weeks.

I’m even happier to see Johan running to join in with the fun, leaving Aalia to chat with a small cluster of women fawning over Amie, who’s fast asleep in her pram. She’s been out and about in town more, socialising with others.

Miranda appears and traps me in a bear hug. “This is amazing, Willow! You’ll have to be our resident party planner from now on.”

“It wasn’t me.” I gesture towards the corner where Killian is nursing a beer and glaring at anyone that dares to approach. “Killian did most of it, and Lola too.”

“You’ve got yourself a good one there.”

She winks, squeezing my arm before returning to Doc’s side. I watch as she presses a kiss to his lips, despite his arms being casually slung around Rachel’s waist. The three of them snuggle together, sharing a conversation.

Their relationship is endlessly fascinating to me. I’ve never heard of people sharing like they do. I know it isn’t the norm, but nothing in Briar Valley is. This place defies every rule and expectation set by the outside world.

But more so, their dynamic intrigues me for selfish reasons. Killian’s staked his claim on me for everyone to see, sticking to me like glue and taking his over-protectiveness into overdrive. But that hasn’t stopped Zach from flirting and touching me at every opportunity.

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