My dad’s eyes are wet, and it eats at me to see him like this. “I should’ve protected my family better. But he’s been taken care of.”
His words are stern, his expression hard. He doesn't elaborate further, and I don’t push because Killian will fill me in.
And I'm sure I can guilt my boyfriend into telling me even if my dad told him not to. I’ll simply play theI almost got killedcard. Killian will cave faster than a house of cards in a fucking hurricane.
Mom stirs awake, then makes her way to my bed, her heels clicking on the linoleum floor. She leans down and presses a gentle kiss to my forehead, her perfume enveloping me in its familiar scent. “You need anything, sweetheart?”
“To go home.” I give her my best pleading look, but she just pins me with the mom look, the one that saysnot a chance in hell, buddy, then she turns to Killian. “Don't let me find out you snuck him out of here either, or you'll take a nice long swim next.”
I blink a few times, then narrow my eyes, a smirk tugging at my lips. “Did a certain someone get a pair of cement shoes?”
Just then, a nurse comes in to check my vitals and the conversation dies off. She adjusts my IV bag and runs through some questions about how I'm feeling, her voice annoyingly chipper. I answer as best I can, gritting my teeth against the pain, and she finally leaves, closing the door behind her with a soft click.
“Well, this is nice and all . . .” I joke weakly, looking at my parents. “But you two need to meet Kill under better circumstances. Like, maybe dinner where no one's hooked up to machines and shit.”
My dad looks from me to him. “Agreed, though we did spend some quality time together.”
“Do I need to be jealous that you might be hitting on my boyfriend? He’s mine and I’m not sharing.”
Mom huffs and picks up her purse, slinging it over her shoulder. “Before this conversation goes somewhere utterly stupid, your father and I are going to go get some decent coffee. We'll be back in a little bit.”
“Fuck you for rubbing decent food in my face.” I pout, my stomach growling at the mention of anything edible.
Killian squeezes my hand. “Did you just . . . My mom would clock me if I cursed at her.”
Mom just huffs. “Trust me, Killian, he knows better. By the way, would you like something? I can bring it back so you can eat it in front of my son, really rub it in.”
Evil, vile woman.
“No thank you, Mrs. Reed.” Kill smiles politely, ever the gentleman.
With that, my parents head out of the room, the door swinging shut behind them.
I try to sit up, wanting to get closer to Killian, but immediately the room spins, black spots dancing in my vision. I fall back against the pillows with a groan, my head pounding like a fucking jackhammer.
“Don't move too much.” Killian's brows furrow as he smooths the hair back from my forehead. “You need to rest.”
“You look like shit.” I give him my best charming smile, ignoring the way it makes my split lip throb. “Now tell me how handsome I am. Boost my ego a little.”
“Sorry, the hospital doesn’t serve alcohol, so I'm pretty sober right now, and you're kinda busted-looking. Might take a pint or two before your mug starts to border on decent-looking.”
“Worst boyfriend ever. You're lucky I love you.”
“Took you long enough to say it back.” Killian leans over and presses his mouth to mine in the gentlest of kisses. It's the onlytime we've ever been this soft with each other, and it makes my heart ache in the best way. He rests his forehead against mine, his breath ghosting over my skin. “I was terrified seeing you like this . . . When Alexei and Viktor came to SSU to get me . . .”
His voice trails off, and he swallows hard, his Adam's apple bobbing.
I squeeze his hand, the one he's still holding mine with, never having let go. “I'm okay. Or . . . at least I will be. I'm a stubborn bastard, remember?”
“I'm yours, Jackson. Every inch of me. Whatever you need, however you need it. I'm not going anywhere.” Killian's voice is fierce, his eyes blazing with determination and love.
His words send a flutter through my battered body, warmth coursing inside my veins like honey.
No matter how much pain I'm in, having Killian by my side makes me feel whole, like my world is complete.
Epilogue
Killian
