Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
THE HEATHEN
Killian sets me in the passenger seat of his car and closes the door before moving to the other side.
There was a time when I trusted him a little, but not anymore.
He says he’s taking me to his brother's, but I don’t believe him.
I would jump out of the car and run for my life if my back and head didn’t hurt so bad.
I’m not sure I’d make it far with the state I’m in.
“Are you okay, physically?” He asks as he drives through the gates.
“Does it matter?”
He glances at me and quickly looks back at the road.
“It does to me.”
I look out the window, avoiding his gaze, identical to the two men I trust. A tear runs down my cheek and I swat it away angrily, not wanting him to see it. I can be vulnerable with Knox and Carter—but never him.
“I don’t believe anything you say, Killian. I’m not going to see them again. You’re taking me somewhere to finish the job your buddy failed to complete. And it’s perfect, right? They won’t know it was you who killed me. Finally, you’ll be rid of me. Like you always wanted.”
Killian is quiet before speaking again, and when he does, it only causes the anger to build in my chest.
“I understand why you’d think that, Killer. I guess this will be the first part of proving myself to you. I am a dick, but when I’ve fucked up—I own it, and when it comes to you, I made the worst mistake I have ever made.”
Turning to him, I yell, “A mistake? No, Killian. A mistake is forgetting to switch the laundry over. Or leaving the milk on the counter. What you did was so much more than a fucking mistake.”
I ball my trembling hands into fists, my heartbeat pounds in my chest, the rage surging through me.
“You’re a monster. Own that.”
Releasing a long breath, I turn back to the window, and stare at the world around us.
“I will never forgive you or stop hating you.”
He pulls in front of their garage and speaks low as he parks.
“Finally, we agree on something, Killer.”
He gets out, and I open my door to get out before he makes it to my side. I go to stand up, and pain shoots down my spine, causing me to fall.
I moan from the ache as Killian rushes to me and scoops me into his arms. He walks through the door, and I hear Knox growl.
“Give her to me. Now.”
Killian does, but I can’t help but notice the heartbroken look on his face, and I wonder if it’s about his brothers. Surely they weren’t happy with him.
He carries me into the lounge, and I spot Carter staring at me with an emotion-filled gaze as a sob erupts from his throat.
“Heathen.”
Rushing over to me, Carter presses his hands to my face, staring at me frantically as if he’s taking inventory of every single injury.
He places a gentle kiss, as soft as a light breeze on the skin covering my cheekbone.
It’s tender and probably bruised. I must have gotten it when I fell on my face.
Once he seems satisfied that I’m okay, he pushes his forehead against mine, sighing deeply.
“I thought I lost you.”
“I’m okay. I promise.”
His eyes are locked on mine, Knox’s arms are around me, and everything is perfect until Killian speaks.
“Get your go bags. Her father is somehow involved with the asylum. If he finds out she left with me, they’ll be looking for her. This is the first place they’ll search.”
I can see suspicion in Carter's gaze and say, “He’s right. They used Jedediah’s paddle on me. And one of the nuns, I know her. I’m sure of it. I’m not sure exactly what is going on but my family is involved.”
Knox shakes his head, irritation marring his face as he knits his eyebrows together., “And the letter to the judge. Kill, we have a lot to discuss, but it’ll have to wait. Get her a bag together. Carter can get his and mine.”
They leave the room, and I ask, “Where are we going?”
Knox strokes his fingers down my face as he sits with me on the sofa.
“Somewhere we can keep you safe. Fuck, it’s so good to have you here with me, Tesoro. So fucking good.”
Knox lies me on the sofa, carefully placing my head on the cushion and keeping my legs on his lap. Relief floods me as tears fall down my face.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes. I’m ha-ppy. I thought I’d never see you again.”
Leaning down, he brushes his lips over mine, whispering softly.
“Tesoro. My Tesoro. I missed you.”
I’m calm and never want this moment to end. Knox is my safety and comfort—he always has been that for me.
Before I have a chance to tell him I missed him too, Carter and Killian come back.
“We need to leave our cars.” Knox says, and Killian immediately agrees with him.
“The Range Rover isn’t registered to us. That’s probably our safest option.”
Carter nods. “I cleaned out the safe.”
Knox stands, grinning at me, and my heart races knowing my two men are so happy to see me.
“I don’t mind carrying you, Tesoro, but is there a reason you can’t walk?”
I glance between three concerned expressions and tell them the truth.
“I wouldn’t kneel, so I was beaten with a paddle. Several times on my back and then on the head when I tried to kill the nun.”
Knox lifts an eyebrow and laughs loudly.
“Of course, our girl tried to kill a nun. We will get you something for the pain before we leave. Do you need to see a doctor?”
“No. I’m fine. It’ll heal. It always does.”
Knox growls furiously and sits beside me again.
“I’m going to look. Is that okay?”
Again he’s asking for my consent, and I love that about him. So much.
“Yes.”
He gently lifts my shirt and tenderly touches my back. He strokes his fingers across my skin. I hiss through clenched teeth when his touch is a little too firm. When he speaks, his voice is pained. As if the throbbing in my back hurts him too.
“Tesoro. You are black and blue. I am so fucking sorry for what he did to you. To us.”
Slowly I turn to him and run my fingers down his stubbled jaw.
“If you’re talking about Killian—yeah, I hate him. Still, this isn’t his fault. He didn’t hit me, and honestly, Jedediah would’ve made this happen eventually, anyway. Killian bears some of the responsibility, but not for my back.”
Killian hands me a glass of water and pills. I take them from him, but look hesitantly at the drugs in my palm and then the glass of water.
“Is this poisoned?” I ask.
Carter shakes his head.
“I watched him. It’s safe.”
Killian scowls at his brother and opens his mouth to speak, but thinks better of it and snaps it closed.