It’s second nature to soothe her fears, to be her rock in the storm. I want to protect her—I want her safe.
Whatever happened was enough to screw with my unflappable fiancée and I’m ready to tear heads from necks at the slight.
“What did you do?” Maeve punches the closest guard in the mouth like a vengeful spirit. Killian appears by her shoulder, glaring at the other man as if they’re the culprits. I don’t release Collins, one hand rubbing her back, while the other draws soft circles on her hip.
If I didn’t feel the same rage, I’d laugh at their twin looks of stark fury.
There’s movement before Maeve raises her gun, safety off, digging it into the closest guard’s temple.
“Princess.” He grabs her wrist, holding her back. “We can’t afford to alienate our people right now.”
Unfortunately, the prick is right. Between the Games, Bruno and the Board’s involvement, we need all the men we can get. Maeve blowing a few bullet holes into their brains won’t help morale.
“He didn’t do anything,” Collins whispers, eyes watery.
“What happened?” I ask, lips to her forehead. She’s cool to the touch. “Talk to me.”
She struggles to compose herself. “Roman. It was Roman. He came to the hospital to see me.
Killian and Maeve freeze and my gut churns with black rage. Roman came after my wife? He came after what belongs to me?
I try to stand, anger pushing me to react but Maeve’s hand on my shoulder halts me. I’ve yet to let go of Collins. I’ll never fucking let her go now.
“What did he do?”
Collins swallows and clings to me, nails piercing my chest. I barely feel it. My blood rushes in my head and the urge—no, theneed, to make him suffer burns through me. The only thing that keeps me grounded is the feel of Collins in my hands. Her soft skin. Her delicate scent. The rightness of her next to me.
“He claimed I was his.” She sniffles and my heart breaks. “Forced me into a closet. Saw the ring.” She glances at me, holding my gaze. “He’s mad I have it. He said it belongs in his family’s safe. Why would he say that?”
Internally, I flinch.Fuck.
I open my mouth to explain as she pulls back and promptly curves inward.
I don’t need to ask—I know the signs of a battered body. The aches and bruises that hide under clothing. I lift her shirt and see the marks.
“He touched you.” It’s not a question. She nods silently and Maeve inhales. “Anywhere else?”
“My head.” She pats the top of her skull. “And my wrist.”
“Killian,” Maeve barks, causing Collins to jump but I remain steadfast. I have to, otherwise, I unleash everything.
“I’m with you,” he replies, slipping a knife into his palm. The urge to follow is strong. I want to make Roman suffer—I want to destroy everything that matters to him for even thinking to harm my wife.
Before she goes, Maeve kneels briefly, tucking a strand behind Collins’ ear. It’s a tender act and completely foreign for the woman. “Take care of her.”
They stalk through the doors as the guards avoid eye contact. I want to follow. I want to grab my gun and blow three bulletsinto Roman’s skull. One for Collins. One for me. And one for my mother.
But Collins needs me more. She’s injured, marred from my brother’s tantrum and she needs safety. I can be that for her—I always will be.
Gathering her into my arms, I hold her close to my chest. She protests lightly and I shake my head, hoping she can feel my sincerity in this little bit of comfort.
“I’ve got you, Collins. I won’t let anything else happen to you.”
I can’t make the same promise for Roman.
22
COLLINS
