Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
TEDDY
They were going to use me against Killian? Holy crap. This is way more action than I thought I was going to see in this underground scene.
"Sorry, sucker, you underestimated my man," I say, feeling as though I need to respond in some way, and I don't want to appear weak. Plus, those stretches of silence almost killed me. How I didn't speak, I haven't got a clue. I didn't know I had so much willpower.
Killian's brows lift. "I should have been meaner." This is when I need Lily. That girl can cut a man down to size with a few words. Some I've never heard before.
"Killian, listen." Maxim's eyes bounce between Killian and me. I want to tell him he might have better luck with Killian if he stops looking at me.
"No, you listen!" The blonde, who was half asleep even when pulling that gun out, is suddenly spry. She points the gun she pulled out of his pocket at him. Everyone is quiet.
"We're listening," I whisper loudly. The woman sniffles and rubs her nose with the back of her hand, still holding the gun in the other.
"You think I don't know about Mindy."
Who is Mindy? I wonder to myself.
"Babe—"
"Don't you babe me!" She steps closer to him. I glance over to Killian, who is watching them, appearing bored, but I know he's pissed. "Oh, and Carly." Maxim starts to get irritated because he tries to level Tasha with a glare.
"Knock this shit off. You know what you are." He speaks with disgust. Maxim must want to die tonight. "You're nothing. You need me now; put the fucking gun down." Her hand starts to slightly shake.
"Or," Killian speaks. "You could shoot him." He shrugs. "Take the money."
"You'd, ah, you'd let me take it?"
"It's all yours," Killian tells her. His hand comes out, pressing to my stomach, and I move in the direction I feel him guide me. He puts himself more in front of me.
"She's not going to—" The sound is soft, not a loud bang as I thought it would be. A small scream leaves me, but I don't see anything. Killian fully stepped in front of me. I pop my head out to see the man is now on the ground; Tasha still has her gun pointed at him.
"Here." Killian steps forward, wanting the gun. I see the hesitation in her eyes.
"The money," I remind her. "Get the money." That has her handing the gun over. She starts packing money up. Killian moves around the table, and I find myself creeping forward.
"Is he dead?" I whisper for some reason.
"Zolotse, stay back," he tells me, but I keep creeping forward, with a weird need to see this for myself.
"Oh gosh," I say when I get a real look. "What? I wanted to see; don't judge me. I’m curious and new to this." Killian smirks at me before leaning down to reach into the man's jacket to grab what he came for.
"The door—"
I scream, spooked at Tasha talking. I kind of forgot about her. Instinct takes over, and I shove my stun gun into the dead man's leg. I'd pulled it out at some point. His leg jerks.
"He's alive!" I scream again. The room grows quiet, and they are both staring at me. "False alarm." Oopsie. I shove the stun gun back into my pocket and quickly stand.
"The door won't open."
"I know." Killian rolls Maxim over and grabs his phone.
"Step back, I'll open it," he tells us, and I remember the man on the other side of the door.
He fiddles with the knob and then suddenly jerks it open.
It's almost a blur how fast Killian moves, yanking the man back into the room with us.
I watch in stunned silence for a moment as Killian wraps his arm around the man's neck.
"Do we have to kill him?" I ask, and Killian loosens his hold on the man.
"He's Maxim's henchman," Tasha says. I can see the loathing she has for him.
"Let's take a vote," I suggest. This seems like the most fair thing to do in this situation.
"Seriously?" Tasha stares at me like I've lost my mind. Kettle meet Pot.
"Just do it!" I yell.
"Kill him," Tasha says instantly.
"Kill," Killian votes.
"Ope, you guys outvoted me." I throw my hands up, pretending to be sad I lost, but Killian sees through my act. I turn and hear the loud snap. Tasha hurries past me with all her money stuffed in a bag.
"Bye." I wave after her. Killian comes to my side. “What now?”
“Come.” His hand wraps around my wrist, and he leads me in the opposite direction. I expect that at every turn and door, an armed man will jump out, but nope. He finally stops at a door that has a giant red exit sign.
The way his stance changes, I know another person is on the other side of it, and he’s about to strike.
“Killian,” I whisper, grabbing his forearm. “Pick me up,” I tell him. “Trust me.” He grabs me, lifting me into his arms, and I wrap my legs around him. “Now walk out, and I’m going to kiss you.” He hesitates for a brief second before understanding my plan.
“I see." He stumbles out the door.
“Hey—”
“Stop!” two men shout at us. I lift my mouth from Killian's and burst into laughter.
“Sorry," I giggle. "I have to pee!” They stare at us. Killian gives them a chin nod.
"If you're coming back in, you stick to the front door," one says, dismissing us.
Killian keeps carrying me all the way back to the car.
"My plan worked!" I say when he pulls out and back onto the highway.
"I can't sit still.” I'm all hyped up on adrenaline.
"That was insane!" I tell him, and he glances over at me, his eyes lingering for a moment before going back to the road.
"And it was so sweet when you were going to save the man because of me. Always my sweetheart."
"I killed him," Killian points out.
"Yeah, but then I turned it to a vote, so—" I shrug. "You guys won, and I'm not a sore loser." That's Lily. She hates to lose.
“It’s the adrenaline. That’s why your little ass can’t sit still.”
“Right.” I snap both fingers and do air guns. “What made you make that offer to Tasha?” I ask out of curiosity.
“He’s wronged her, and I believe deeply. I understand that killing the people that have hurt you can make the world more bearable.” I reach over and rest my hand on his thigh.
“I’m really sorry for how you had to grow up.”
“I’m not. You’re my reward.” He says it with so much certainty.
“That’s really, really sweet.”
“I’m only that way to you.”
“That’s all that matters.” I wink at him. Killian is my sweetheart. “Well, be nice to Lily and Roland when we get back home. He means well, I promise.” I pat his thigh and then start to stroke it. The man has great thighs. They'd gotten me off.
“Zolotse.” Killian’s tone is deep. I can see the very hard outline of his cock.
“I know how we can burn off my adrenaline.” I lick my lips. Killian lets out a groan. “How far is the hotel?”
“Too far.” He presses on the gas, speeding up.
“We’re going all the way tonight,” I let him know. His hold on the steering wheel tightens. “You want to?” Killian grunts a response, which only turns me on more. “We’re getting married anyways, so I don’t know why the hold-up. Right? I’m scared and excited.”
“Scared?” I feel his foot come partly off the gas. Oh noes.
“Not a bad scared.”
“There is a scared that's not bad?”
"Okay, 'scared' is maybe the wrong word, but you know what they say about a girl's first time." I shrug.
"I have heard this. I googled it the other night. I do not want you to be scared, Zolotse. I have learned how to best do this, but we don't have to."
I bet Killian is more scared for me than I am, which is adorable. This big man that people fear is the gentlest man I have ever met. I know without a doubt that he will make sure I’m taken care of and make my first time as painless as possible.
"You googled it?"
"I don't want to cause you pain."
"I know you don't, but I'm glad it's you, Killian. I know I'm in good hands." He gives a small nod, the car growing quiet for a long moment.
"You know, I'm glad it's you too. It would only ever have been you."
"What if you never found me?"
"I do not wish to speak of those things." I see the corners of his mouth pull down.
"I'm not going anywhere, Killian. I love you to pieces, and we're stuck together."
"Zolotse,” he growls my name. "You say this while I'm driving?"
"Ope, my bad.” I pretend to have a fishing line and reel it back in. "I'll save it for when we're doing it. I just didn't want to say it while we're doing it and you think it's the heat of the moment."
Killian takes an audible breath, and I love how much those words from me affect him.
I wouldn't care if he never says them back.
Okay, I would, but I don't need them right now.
Killian loves me, and I want him to know that I love him, and nothing changes that.
Not even when I'm upset. I want him to realize that I'm solid in his life, and I'm not going anywhere.
It's part of why I was quick to forgive him when I learned everything.
Obviously, I'm not going to let him get away with murder.
Well, okay, maybe murder, but you know what I mean.
I knew I would forgive him for it, so I wasn't going to draw it out.
This time. I wanted him to see that because I don't believe he's had that in his life before, and I'm going to give it to him.
My Killian will always know he is loved.