20. Chapter 20
Chapter 20
Naomi
I jump out of my car, barely putting it in park before rushing to the double doors. I don’t even get to knock before the door is yanked open and Killian comes barreling out.
“You came back!” he says, his eyes filling with so much emotion. It’s like looking into a kaleidoscope of greens.
“I did,” I say, as he scoops me up in his arms and twirls me around before putting me down. I’m sure my eyes have the same tear-filled look.
“Hi, I’m here too!” Axel waves at us.
“Hi, Axe.”
“Told you so,” he says, matter-of-factly. We all burst out laughing.
“Shut up,” Killian argues.
“Come on, you two lovebirds. I feel like there should be a more violent version of that. Love hawks? Love pterodactyls? I’ll keep workshopping it.”
“It’s like I never left,” I say following the men—my men—inside.
“I mean you only left for like five hours, I don’t know if that even constitutes as really leaving,” Killian adds.
“You two get on my nerves,” I chide.
“I’ll go ask Guillermo to get dinner ready while you two talk.” Axel heads toward the kitchen, while Killian leads me to the den.
We sit down on the loveseat facing each other, knee-to-knee. “What made you come back?”
“Well, two pretty smart, yet ridiculous” — I laugh remembering how wonderfully chaotic talking to both Axel and Quinnly was — “people basically told me that I should stop being dumb.”
“Wow. And here I was taught to never call a woman stupid.” His eyes crinkle a smidge as he laughs. “Did so much change between when I grew up and when you did?”
I roll my eyes. “No, that’s still the case. They didn’t say it in those words. But they made me face that I shouldn’t hide my feelings because of how we met. That’s the very reason I should embrace them.”
“I’m glad you’re back.” Killian reaches for my face and rubs his thumb over my cheek. “Oh my little firecracker, I’m so glad you’re back.”
I lean into the cheek, that gap in my chest from earlier closing. “How about you? You didn’t really fight for me to stay either?”
He looks me in the eyes, remorse filling his. “I know, but like you, the reality and truth felt muddled, and I needed a second to wade through it. But one of those smartypants who spoke to you also told me that I was being an idiot.”
“Guess we’re stupid people in like,” I place my hand over his.
“In like?” he asks, hopeful.
“In like. I really like you, Killer ,” I say, leaning forward, looking at his lips and then his eyes. Love will come in due time, I’m sure. I’m already falling for him with the care he takes to accept me and care for me. “Dare to dive off the deep end of crazy with me?”
“I’ll go anywhere with you, firecracker. I’m in like with you too,” he promises with a seal of a kiss. This is much like the first kiss we had. It’s sweet and comforting. It’s intense and exciting. But most of all, it’s home. I climb into his lap, wrapping my legs around his waist. He pulls me closer so we’re completely flush against each other. While being this close, I can feel his cock engorge with need. I deepen the kiss, not being able to get enough of him.
“Fuck, baby,” he moans out in between.
“I need you,” I beg.
“And we all need to eat!” Axel says coming through the door. “You can fuck later.”
I instinctively go to pull back, but Killian has a death grip on me like he’s afraid to let go. I squeeze his shoulders in reassurance. He groans before saying, “You said you were just going to tell Guillermo.”
“Oh, no.” He comes and sits on the other side of the couch that’s now vacant since I’m in Killian’s lap. “I never told him not to make dinner. While I told you guys all that bullshit of needing time, I knew she’d come back. Guillermo and I had a bet. He won. I gave it until after dinner was already done, unfortunately.”
I burst out laughing and lean into Killian’s chest. “Wow!”
“Axel!” Killian shouts at him, but he’s smiling too.
“Come on, the food is waiting.” He motions for us to head to the dining room. “And wine to celebrate!”
“No champagne?” I ask as we all get up.
“Champagne is disgusting!” Axel makes a revolted face. “I wouldn’t do that to you both. You’ve been through enough today.”
I lean in to give Axel a side hug as we walk to the dining room. “Thank you, Axe.”
“Anything for you, Belle.” He kisses my cheek. I turn to see Killian with a big smile on his face. You can clearly see the care he has for both of us and the happiness he feels in this moment.
“I have a question for you, Naomi,” Axel says after wiping his mouth with the napkin. I nod to encourage him to continue as I finish chewing the food in my mouth. “Why did you think it was Killian who killed your mother?”
“Axe!” Killian says.
“What?” He shrugs. “It’s the elephant in the room.”
Killian looks to me in apology, but he’s clearly curious too.
“It’s okay. I’m honestly a bit puzzled, myself,” I say.
They both furrow their eyebrows.
“No, it just doesn’t make sense. When my mom was murdered, they found a handkerchief with a bloodstain. At first it was linked to my mom’s DNA, but I had a feeling that something was off. So I used one of my Society favors, and they said that it was yours.”
Killian freezes mid-bite, and Axel almost chokes on his wine. “You called in one of your chits?”
I shrug, giving them a fake grin that scrunches my nose. “Finding out who killed my mom would’ve been worth all three of them.”
“I thought you were cool before we kidnapped you, but you’re my hero. Such a badass. I can’t believe it.”
“That I’m a badass?” I tease Axel.
“No, that we were so dumb.”
I wink at him as I cheers the air in his direction with my wine glass. “I believe it.”
“I never asked before because of the shock of finding everything out, but how did you know that I was part of it?” Killian asks. “It’s all top secret, everyone’s identities within the Society, even their rank and role.”
She shrugs. “I didn’t fully, but I guessed based on the DNA evidence and you coming from a line of Morels. My Paps always suspected some of the old money families.”
“That’s how you knew I’d be coming soon,” Killian says with a perplexed look.
“I was hopeful. I figured you’d want a big monumental moment to show me off, and what better way than the ball?” I reach over the table and touch his hand. “Are you okay?”
He shakes his head but says, “Yeah, I am. But why would they lie to you? How did you get in?”
“Woah, rude! I’m not sure why they lied. But Paps was a member, and he asked both Quinnly and me. She said no, because she dances to the beat of her own drum and wanted none of it. But I need help with my quest for answers, so I agreed. I assume they watched me at one of my surgeries. No one questions the minuscule number of failures in the OR as long as the biggest proportion are successes.”
“You killed people on the table?” Axel asks. “How do you know who to—?”
“Is that judgement I hear?” I tease. “I only kill complete assholes.”
“I think I’m here for your villain era,” Axel says beaming. “Even if we’re late to the party.”
“I am too,” Killian growls. My cheeks feel flush seeing him look directly into my eyes.
“Ugh, save that for later.” Axel rolls his eyes.
Killian doesn’t look away from me when he answers, “Oh, I plan to. If you cock-block again, I promise you that you won’t be using yours because I’ll have kicked it so far into your body—”
Axel goes to cover his crotch area. “Ouch, sir!”
“Boys! Let’s focus back on the task.” Axel playfully salutes at me with a big grin, making me laugh. “Even though I cashed in one of my three ‘no questions asked’ favors for help, it seems like the DNA was just bullshit. They must have someone within the Society trying to hide the real evidence.”
“Can I see the handkerchief?” Killian asks.
“Yeah, it’s in my bag. I wanted to show you when I came back. One sec.” I quickly rummage through the bag that’s dangling on my chair.
“Here,” I say, handing them a hazard bag.
Killian carefully inspects it from the outside. “Can I open it?”
“Yes, it’s okay.”
He opens the bag and unfolds the handkerchief, making the M visible in the corner. Killian’s eyes grow in shock like he’s seen a ghost. He quickly looks to Axel, who mirrors his emotion.
“What?” I yell. “Tell me!”
“I didn’t kill your mother, Nai,” Killian says.
“I know that already. Why are you looking so pale?” I ask, not sure if I’m ready to hear the why.
“Because I know exactly who did.”
I brace myself on the armrests on each side of the chair, digging my fingers in. “Who?”
“I’ve seen a handkerchief exactly like this one before. The letter on it isn’t an M, it’s a W. It belonged to Andres Morel, otherwise known as the Wildcat. My uncle .”
My mouth drops open as anger flows within. “Why-why would he? Why did the Society lie?”
“More importantly, why did they point their fingers at you, Killian?” Axel questions.
“I don’t know, but I sure as hell am gonna find out.”