Chapter 38
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
CARTER
Ipull into a coffee shop so we can find out more about this Raven person Heather is sure can help. Personally, I think we can handle this, but if we can trust him, then I suppose it couldn’t hurt to have the extra help.
I get out of the car first, with my hand on my gun in its holster. I prefer my bow, but this is less conspicuous.
After scanning the empty parking lot, I’m confident that there are no threats.
“Clear.”
Killian gets out next with Heather at his side. He places his arm around her, holding her close to him as Knox exits the vehicle.
I open the door and let them go in first. Heather stops and looks up into my eyes with a soft smile on her lips, and I give her a quick peck on the cheek. This woman drives me crazy. That’s all it takes—a smile. Something so simple but so fucking powerful I feel it to the depths of my soul.
We walk in and take a booth in the corner against a wall so no one can surprise us from behind. Killian sandwiches Heather between him and Knox, and I sit across from them.
She glances at Killian and asks sweetly, “Are you being sweet or protective?”
He feigns insult and places his hand over his chest.
“Am I not always sweet, Killer?”
Heather pulls her bottom lip between her teeth and shakes her head with a giggle.
“Not even most of the time.”
An older woman approaches our table with menus and a warm smile on her face.
“I’m Bea, and I’ll be your server. Can I get you started with a drink?”
To no one’s surprise, Heather pipes up while twirling her blonde hair around her finger.
“Coffee, and please tell me you have hazelnut creamer.”
Our waitress smiles brightly and confirms they have what she wants.
“We do.”
I hold up my fingers.
“Four coffees, please.”
She turns on her heel as Heather blurts out her appreciation.
“Thank you, Bea! You’re my actual hero!”
Knox grabs her hand and squeezes it gently with a smirk on his face.
“It’s that easy, Tesoro? If I buy you cream, I’ll be your hero?”
“There’s a dirty joke in there somewhere.” Killian says, and we laugh, but glancing at Heather, I notice the emotion bubbling up.
She takes her time responding, gazing at each of us, one at a time, her eyes appearing thoughtful, really considering her words before speaking them.
“You already are. All three of you are.”
She drops her gaze to the table and speaks low this time, the emotion visibly taking her over.
“Each of you has given me something I never thought I’d have. When I’m with you, I feel something I’ve never had before.”
She takes a shaky breath, and I place my finger under her chin, lifting her head until her eyes are on mine.
“Wanted. I’ve lived a life of loneliness until you, Carter. That night you found me changed my entire world. I could have gone without being shot with a dart, but I am glad I have you. However, it happened.”
Heather was so pissed that night, but it had to happen that way. There was no other choice.
“You understand now why I did it, right?”
She nods slowly as Bea brings our coffees and sets them in front of us.
After she walks away, Heather whispers, and I know it’s because she’s protecting my privacy. This woman is always more concerned about me than she is herself.
“So I wouldn’t touch you.”
I nod with confirmation.
“So you wouldn’t touch me.”
Killian clears his throat after taking a sip of his coffee, ready to move on to business.
“Okay, Killer, who is Raven? And why should we trust him?”
After wrapping her hands around her cup, she takes a long drink before answering Kill.
“I’m not saying you should trust him, but I do.
He hasn’t given me reason not to. To make a long story short, when I was in Wellard Asylum, he was there.
He and my good friend, Bianca, were there when I was.
Anyway, he broke us out. And killed so many people, including her doctor, because he was hurting her badly.
Raven is not a good guy, per se, in fact, he’s kind of crazy, but he never hurt me.
At least, I don’t believe he would. His last name is Bonetti, but you said before that you don’t have Bonetti relatives. ”
Killian raises a brow and shakes his head.
“Our bloodline ended with our father. He’s dead, so now there’s only us unless we have children.”
Heather blanches but doesn’t say a word.
Now I know. She wants children but cannot have them.
My pretty little overthinker is likely wondering if we want kids she can’t give us.
I’d love to put a baby in her belly, but I can live without children as long as I have her.
Who am I kidding? How unfair would it be to a child to not be able to touch their father?
The last thing I need is for my own kids to know how much of a crazy fucker I am.
“How do we get in contact?” Knox asks, and Heather is quick to reply.
“I can call Bianca. I haven’t talked to her in so long, but I miss her anyway.”
Rising from my seat, I nod, “You can call her on the way. We need to get back on the road. Staying in one place for too long could be dangerous.”
I put money on the table, and Bea brings out a to-go cup of coffee to Heather, and she beams at the waitress.
“Forever my hero, Bea. Thank you so much.”
Bea looks at me and my brothers skeptically, likely wondering which one is her boyfriend, so I answer her question.
“All three of us.”
“Carter!” she squeals as we walk out to the car, the three of us laughing. It feels normal to me, so I don’t see anything to be shocked or embarrassed about. People judge shit they don’t understand when really only one thing matters.
She’s happy.