“It’s fine.” She took a breath, and I watched her carefully, staying close in case she needed me again.
We continued walking slowly, the sunshine warm on our faces, the air smelling of pine and thawing earth.
Finally, she spoke again.
“You told me you came here to find the men who hurt me. Tokillthem. Did you really mean that?”
“Yes. I realize how it sounds, but unless Owen arrests them and has an airtight case, I’ll do what I have to.”
“Even though nobody asked you.Ididn’t ask you.”
“The thing is, Keira, I’m not sure I can live with myself if I don’t do something. There’s still a chance they could come for you again.”
“I know that,” she snapped.
“But even if they don’t, I can’t allow those men to go free after what they did to you. Iwon’tallow it.”
My last few words had come out harsh and guttural. The wind picked up, rustling through the branches above us. The shadows between the trees seemed darker now. The air felt charged, waiting.
Her chest rose and fell. I wasn’t sure, but I could’ve sworn her dark brown eyes had dilated.
Keira came closer to me, holding my gaze. “Then I want in. I’ll help you. Whatever you’re doing. Investigating. Tracking them down. Punishing them.”
“Keira…”
“Don’t you dare tell me no. This is my fight. Either you do this with me, or you don’t do it at all.”
This woman was so much fiercer than the Keira Marsh I’d known two years ago. Could I possibly agree to this? It could put Keira in further danger. If Owen found out, which he probably would, he wouldn’t be happy. But he already wasn’t happy with me.
The intensity in her eyes said she wasn’t backing down. She knew what she was getting into.
“Okay. We’ll work together to track down your attackers.”
As for the rest…we’d worry about that later.
She blinked at me like she hadn’t expected that response, but quickly recovered. “Thank you.”
“Will you unblock me in your phone? I might need to message you.”
She rolled her eyes. “Did it already this afternoon. But there’s also another thing.”
“Since you’re making demands?”
“They’re not demands when I have every right to make them. This is my fight, like I said.”
Our fight, I thought silently. When those men had gone after her, they’d made it my fight. I hadn’t expected to feel that way. But the moment I’d heard, I’d known it, to thedepths of my soul. Even if I had no right to take that responsibility, it was still mine.
“Go ahead, then. What else?”
“You have to swear you won’t break your vow. Youwill notkill them. I mean it. If you go back on your promise about not using violence, it won’t be because of me.”
Well, damn. This would be an issue.
I shifted my weight. A twig snapped under my boot. “If you’re in danger again, I’m not just going to stand by.”
“Self-defense and defense of others are different, right? The law treats those differently. Loopholes.”
I snorted softly. “Loopholes?”
