Killian rises to his feet, the earlier frustration turning into anger.
“You think I don’t know that, Killer? You think seeing a disgusting picture like that has no effect on me? You’re wrong, little girl. The fact is, we also have dangerous things going on in our world. I know you think I’m an asshole just for the sake of being an asshole, but there’s more to it. Maybe you can’t see it, but I’m trying to keep everyone here alive.” He leans down to grip my jaw, his touch somewhere between a caress and a threat. “I don’t need to explain myself to you. Do as you’re fucking told, or I’ll lock you up. Either way, at least you’ll be safe.”
I ball my hands into fists, and Knox tries to calm me by stroking his fingers down my arms.
Killian releases me, turning to walk out of the room, and I scream at his back.
“You are such a fucking dick, and I hope you get your ass kicked tonight.”
Looking over his shoulder at me, he smirks, “I know I am, Killer. And no, you don’t. Be ready in an hour.”
I take my shoe off and hurl it at him. It narrowly misses his head, hitting the doorframe instead. He chuckles as he walks away.
“You throw like a girl, Killer.”
I take a deep breath, glancing between the two of them and shoot my shot.
“I need your help. You understand why this can’t wait.”
I focus my gaze on Carter.
“I knowyoudo.”
“Please,” I beg, as he shakes his head no.
“Not a chance, Little Heathen. Killian is right. And you should know I’ll never put you at risk.”
Climbing onto my knees, I hold my hands together, as I continue to beg.
“Please, Carter. I promise I’ll be careful.”
His eyes darken with anger, reminding me far too much of his brother as he growls.
“Enough. I said no. I won’t live without you. End of fucking discussion.”
Turning to Knox, I whisper his name, and he presses his hand to my face.
“No, Tesoro. I’m not going to let you get yourself killed either. Tomorrow we will put together a game plan. Until then, you’re going to behave and do as Killian says. No matter what you think about him, he knows what he’s doing.”
I hang my head in defeat, because it feels like I’m the only one that truly understands what was happening in the picture.
The distraught look on her face.
The tears streaming down her cheeks.
She’s now a broken girl. Something I know all too well.
“Delilah is a little girl. Why don’t you care? He wasfuckingher. A little girl. She’sfive years old.”
Carter motions for me to come over to him. I move and kneel between his legs, with my hands behind my back.
He reaches up, touches the back of my head, and strokes my hair gently.
“Little Heathen, we saw. Of course I care about a little girl being hurt, but something happening to you? I can’t fucking live with it. If you go get yourself killed, you don’t save her, and she keeps being abused. We have to do this the right way. Getting rid of a man or two at a time has only alerted them. They know exactly how you’ll proceed. Trust Knox and I. Don’t we always give you everything you need?”
I nod in agreement.
“This will not be any different. Go get ready. Killian wasn’t kidding. If you don’t behave, he will lock you up. I don’t think either one of us wants that.”
