Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92376 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92376 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
And here I assumed the biggest event of tonight would be plowing Logan Wilde.
I texted him earlier to let him know tonight was off, without explaining why, though I’m sure he’s heard about the scuffle. Word travels fast in the underworld.
When we arrive at Rothguard, Jaime helps me inside, where Krychek greets me. “Killian…” His expression is somber, like he’s got bad news.
“Whatever the fuck it is, I don’t want to hear it.”
“It’s nothing serious, but—”
“Christ, can you just let me get a goddamn shower before annoying me?”
“Of course.” He nods and heads on his way.
Jaime escorts me to my bedroom, where I strip out of my blood-soaked clothes and head to the bathroom vanity, looking at the streaks staining my face. I should probably be panicked or anxiety-ridden or something, but this is one of those moments when I’m eerily quiet. Numb.
There’s a knock at the door, and I growl, irritated that anyone would disturb my peace right now.
“Boss?” comes from the other side, and I hear the door open.
“You can’t go in there,” Jaime says, followed by Krychek’s, “Ah, fuck. Your fiancé’s heading in.”
It’s not a second before Logan’s in the bathroom doorway. “What the hell happened?”
“I’m sorry for canceling our date. I was held up,” I reply sarcastically.
He moves quickly toward me, and while part of me is ready to act fast and stop him, another feels more at ease the closer he gets.
“You’re injured.” He takes my hand, assessing the knife wound.
I like the way he’s holding my hand…fuck, where did that come from?
“Yeah, well, that’s what happens when you’re ambushed.”
“When I heard about it, I drove to the Center, but on the way there I was informed you had already left.”
That he was so concerned catches me by surprise. Of course, maybe he’s only concerned that the person responsible for his family’s safety was in danger. It wouldn’t mean good things for them if something happened to me. Surely, that’s all it is.
“Who did it?”
“Not sure yet. They were hired guys and tried to pin it on the Raiders, but whoever did, they’re gonna find out the hard way that you don’t fuck with the Lordes.”
“This was close,” Logan says.
“You think I was struggling to understand that?”
“No, it was too close,” he clarifies.
“Yes, it was, but the good thing is, Rage and I got out of there alive, so why don’t we focus on the positives?”
“Positives for whom?” he says with a cheeky smirk, and damn if that doesn’t make me smile.
Fuck you, Logan, for finding a way through my defenses.
“The doctors from the Center didn’t stitch this up for you?”
“They had a lot to manage. It was packed with bodies, and not everyone’s gonna make it.”
He nods. “Well, get washed up, and then I’ll take care of it.”
He’s still holding my hand, and though it feels nice he gives a damn, I don’t fucking need his help. “I’m good, Log.”
“I’m gonna steal a line from you: Did you mistake what I said for a question?”
I sigh, surrendering. Too tired to fight him.
21
LOGAN
Killian showers the blood off him, then dries off and sits on the toilet, naked, as I apply antiseptic to his wound. Occasionally, he cuts me a look, I’m sure because he doesn’t think he needs anyone to do this for him. Maybe that’s why I’m enjoying it so much—because he’s suffering.
I’ve been stressed as hell since Wrath called to tell me what happened. It reminds me that as much as we get under each other’s skin, I don’t want anything bad to happen to him. He’s not just an ally, but the reason my brothers are safe from the harm the sick fucks in our world wish to inflict on them. He’s the reason I was able to exact revenge on Sik Vik. He’s helped us in more ways than I’ve given him credit for, and now it’s time to return the favor.
“I’m surprised Krychek and Jaime let you in my room.”
“Krychek pulled his gun on me, and I told him to shoot because I’m sure that’d make you real happy.”
He snickers, and it makes me smile.
“You’re really something, Log.”
My cheeks warm at the compliment. I don’t know what it is about us, but since we started whatever-the-hell-this-is, it’s like he has a tether attached to me, pulling the strings of my emotions.
I bandage his arm, then inspect it. “Okay. You’re all set.”
The fear that gripped me when I heard he’d been stabbed, and the extreme anxiety I felt on my way over, have dissipated, leaving only distant echoes in my mind.
I start to my feet when Killian tugs at my hand. He grips it, not looking at me, just holding me. “Thank you,” he whispers.
It’s not the way I’m used to him speaking. There’s something quiet, calm about it. It’s…nice.
“No worries.” I pull my hand free, head over to the sink, and wash my hands as he sits in silence, his gaze far off.