Chapter 31
Celani
The expression on his face is one I’ve never seen before. Intense, and cold in a way that would be terrifying if I didn’t know him. He’s getting dressed for battle with methodical precision.
He straps a knife into a holster on his ankle, then covers it with his pants leg, before standing back up. He’s already fitted on a bullet proof vest, and he checks his gun one more time before strapping it into his holster.
I hold Shadow closer to my chest, and he lets out a soft ‘meow’ like he’s trying to ease my frazzled nerves.
I don’t even have a clue where we are right now.
All I know is this safe house is tucked away on a private lot somewhere far outside of Redland.
Killian brought us here after he came to tell me what he found out about Pierce, and banished any hope I had that I could just leave Pierce without any drama.
Everything felt like a blur after I heard what Pierce had gotten himself into. I had such a flood of different emotions, from shock to denial, then betrayal.
Even though I wanted to choke the shit out of Pierce with my bare hands, I also felt concerned for him. I know that he got himself into this disaster, but as awful and toxic as our relationship had become in the past year, I didn’t want to see him get seriously hurt.
Or worse.
Killian assured me that his team would put Pierce somewhere safe with an old friend of his that is also in security, and will keep him out of harm’s way. Away from the gang of thieves that have threatened both of us.
Gang of thieves.
What the hell has my life become?
I find it amazing that Killian would do all of this for Pierce when I know he wanted to just bury him alive in the backyard after he’d learned what he’d done. I know that he is only keeping him safe for me, because I could never live with myself knowing that I just left him out to dry.
Despite Pierce’s actions, at the end of the day he did try to do the right thing and keep me out of these monster’s reach after he screwed another woman and got played for a fool. The least I can do is return that same energy to him and keep him safe too.
Killian zips up his jacket and his sharp gaze lands on me. He steps in front of me, and squats down until he’s at eye level with me placing his hands on my thighs.
His green eyes swim with concern as he studies my anxious face.
“I have to go now, baby,” he says gently. “We have work to do so we can put an end to all of this.”
I set Shadow down on the bed and wrap my arms around Killian’s neck squeezing him tightly. He rubs my back and I wonder if he can feel the thunderous beating of my heart.
“Are you sure that this is the only way to resolve this?” I ask, pulling back just enough to look into his eyes.
“You said that the people you are looking for are wanted for more than just stealing, and running scams. What if things go bad when you confront them?
Maybe we should just take what we know to the police and-“
“Baby, breathe.” He soothes me, kissing my forehead softly. He waits for me to inhale a slow breath and release it before he continues.
“This isn’t something that the police can fix. They’re aware of this group but we don’t have time to go through all of the bureaucracy and bullshit it will require to get you protected from them. There’s a reason why people hire us, baby. You trust me, right?”
I bite into my bottom lip to fight back the tears I feel coming. “I do trust you, Kill,” I whisper.
“That’s my girl. So trust me when I tell you we have this under control,” he says confidently. “The only people in danger tonight are the men we find.”
The look in his eyes sends a shiver running down my spine. I don’t know if my body is reacting from fear, or desire, realizing how dangerous he really is. Before I can even decide, his mouth is descending on mine, his lips giving me slow measured kisses until no thoughts at all remain in my head.
He pulls away and stares at me for a moment, his gaze turning warm and calming my racing heart.
“I love you, Celani. I love you in a way I didn’t know I was capable of feeling.
In a way I didn’t think I deserved to feel.
But I do,” he says. He swallows hard before continuing.
“You know that I haven’t had a lot of peace in my life.
But you are my peace, sweetheart. I’m going to spend my life being yours too. I’ll come back for you.”
The tears I was holding back release in a rush hearing his incredible declaration.
I press my lips to his and release a watery laugh.
I never would have imagined a few months ago that I would be here with him like this.
That this incredible man that was hired to ensure my safety would turn out to be one of the only people on this earth that has truly seen me for who I am.
He would really burn the world down and leave no one in it who would hurt me.
“I love you too, Kill,” I say, my voice breaking. “You deserve so much peace and love. Thank you for showing me that I deserve it too, and that I deserve to be loved just the way I am.”
He closes his eyes and places his forehead against mine. We stay there feeling each other’s warmth, and soaking in our love for one another. His lips find mine again and he kisses me with such passion that I damn near dissolve into the bed.
He pulls away too soon, and helps me up to my feet. We interlace our fingers together, and he walks me down the long hallway until we reach the living area.
We walk by Davi who is sitting at a table set up with computers, monitoring the outside of the safe house, and what looks like another location that I don’t recognize. It’s strange seeing him alone. When I asked earlier where Floyd was, Killian told me that he was out doing surveillance.
Asher and Malakai are standing close to the door in their black uniforms, talking to Jules, and they all turn to watch us as we come closer to them. Jules is dressed casually in a sweater and jeans like I am and I realize that she must be staying here with me.
She gives me a warm smile then looks up at Killian. “Ready to go boss?”
Killian nods his head once and Asher opens the front door for them, grabbing a bag as he goes outside. Malakai picks up the other bag sitting by the door, and gives me a reassuring smile before walking out into the night.
Killian gives Jules a rapid set of instructions for what to do, and not do, while they are gone before he turns his attention to me.
“You’re safe here,” he assures me again. “We have a few extra men outside watching the property, and Jules and Davi are both armed, and know how to handle shit if anything goes down. No one knows about this house, but if they find it, they will wish they hadn’t.”
I fold my arms over my chest and glance at Jules who is watching our interaction with a calm expression.
I’ve gotten to know her more after spending time in the guest house with everyone the past two weeks.
I know that she’s very intelligent, and is just as well trained as anyone else on the team is.
Just the fact that Killian trusts her this much puts me at ease with her. But it’s not me I’m concerned about right now.
My eyes lock on Killian’s and I place my hands on his chest. “Come back to me,” I say, hearing the desperation in my voice.
“Always,” he promises without hesitation. He leans down to give me one more soft kiss on the lips before kissing my hands, and walking out of the door.
Jules locks up behind him, and I wrap my arms around myself, fighting back another rush of tears. Jules steps away and I stare at the closed door, my body unwilling to move from the place Killian left me.
A few moments later I feel a warm blanket wrap around my shoulders and turn my head to see Jules giving me a sympathetic smile. She places Shadow into my arms and I hold him close against me.
“Thank you, Jules,” I whisper, pulling the blanket tighter around me.
“Of course,” she says, ushering me over to one of the sofas. We sit down side by side and she places her hand on top of mine.
“I know you’re worried about them, but don’t be, Celani,” she says, her eyes moving to one of the heavily curtain windows before coming back to mine. “Killian and our team will be fine. It’s the men that Killian will find that truly need the prayers.”