“It’s a long story.”
“Cole—”
“I have plenty of time to tell you.” I interrupt her. “Just give me ten minutes, and I will have this cleaned up for you. Then later, I’ll fill you in, okay?”
Her eyes search mine for a long time before she finally nods. “Okay.”
I come out of the bathroom fifteen minutes later to find her sitting at the end of the bed. Her head’s down, and she’s inspecting her fingernails, but I can see her mind working. I can almost smell her fear. Like when I took her to watch Jerrold with me. But this time, it’s different. It’s not what will happen to her; it’s what will happen to us. Where do we go from here? The threat may be over, but what does that mean for us now? Can we move on so easily? Can I keep her and Lilly safe?
I know this ’cause I’ve asked myself these same questions over and over.
I come to the end of the bed and kneel before her. She lifts her eyes from her hands to look at me. I see unshed tears fill her green eyes, and she looks away. She obviously doesn’t wanna talk about whatever it is she’s thinking. That’s one thing about Austin; if she wants to know something, she’ll ask. So I won’t push her right now. When she’s ready, she’ll let me know.
She stands and walks to the bathroom without saying a word. I go to walk past it to head downstairs when I hear her hiss in a breath. I peek in to see her trying to get out of my T-shirt she’s wearing. Becky brought it for her. Shelby suggested she wear something that opens up in the front for her to get in and out of easily, but she ignored her and chose one of my shirts. The girls had helped her dress at the hospital.
“Let me help you,” I suggest, entering the bathroom.
Her arms fall to her sides, and she sniffs. I reach into my front pocket and grab my knife. Flipping the blade open, I hold it up. Her eyes go to it and then to mine. Those green eyes that I first saw in the middle of the night in a cemetery stare back at me. They look different now. Less lost yet more terrified than I’ve ever seen them. I reach up and grab the collar and then slowly cut down the front, making sure to stay away from her skin.
“I liked that shirt,” she says in a soft voice once it’s cut in half, exposing her bare chest and stomach. I can see the bandage that covers up her scar, and my fist tightens on the knife. I wish I could stab Kellan with it. “It smelled like you.”
I smile at her, ignoring the rage that wants a release. I have to change for her. I can change for her. “I have plenty more where it came from.” Putting the knife away, I reach out and place my hand in the waistband of her black yoga pants and slowly push them down her legs. It reminds me of prom; only I won’t be tossing her onto the bed once they’re off. After she steps out of them, I straighten to my full height. I lean in and kiss her on the forehead. “Take a shower, sweetheart. I’ll be downstairs when you’re done.”
_______________
An hour later, I’m sitting on the couch talking to Deke and Bennett when she comes down the stairs. Her hair is down and still a little damp from the shower. Her perfect face free of makeup and smiling at me. She looks stunning. Her bruises from Kellan’s hands have finally healed. She wears another T-shirt of mine, and I frown, wondering why she didn’t holler at me to help her get it on. And a pair of my sweatpants. Both swallow her.
“How are you feeling?” Bennett asks her as she sits down next to me.
I pull her into my side and kiss her hair. I inhale that familiar smell that I missed so fucking much.
“Much better.” She gives him a smile. “It’s amazing what being home will do for you.”
Home?Does she see this place as her home? I sure hope so. I could totally see her, Lilly, and me living here if we didn’t have a house waiting for us in Texas. As much as I’ve loved this place, I can’t wait to get out of this town and away from this life. Maybe Becky was right, and Austin always has been my fresh start.
He nods as if understanding, and then the room falls silent. The guys know how much I’ve told her and what I don’t want her to know. Some things are just better kept between us.
“Is something wrong?” she asks when the silence lingers.
Bennett runs a hand through his hair nervously. And Deke looks up at the ceiling.
“Austin?”
She turns to face me completely, and I can see the fear in her eyes. “What did you do, Cole?” I hate how panicked she sounds. “Please tell me that whatever you did, you covered your tracks?”
“Of course, we did.” Deke snorts. “We’re sharks, after all? Not fucking stupid.”
“We?” Her voice squeaks. “You all took part in killing Kellan?”
He nods at her. “Well, I let Cole do the job. I just made sure Kellan didn’t get away while he took care of him.”
She flinches in my arms at the way Deke speaks so carelessly of someone we once considered a brother.
“Once it was over, we called Bennett. He got rid of the body.”
She sits up straighter. “How did you do it?” All she cares about is protecting me and making sure I didn’t fuck up. It makes me smile. “Did you make sure no one will find him? Please tell me that you guys didn’t bury him. You did a shitty job with Jeff.”
Bennett chuckles.
