Mine stay open for a long time, watching her, trying to focus on the gratitude I feel in the moment instead of the terror for our future.
The next morning, I take a shower and order room service for breakfast. As Rona gives her mermaid doll a bath, I try to figure out a way to grab my money from the apartment. It’s not a lot, definitely not enough to start over somewhere without a job, but at least it’ll put some more distance between us and Michael. Every mile gives us a little bit more of an advantage.
I come to the conclusion that I’ll have to ask someone to get the money for me. The only person I can think of to trust is Lennon, but I just can’t put her in danger. For one, Sandro would literally murder me. And two, she’s my friend, and I really care about her. What if Michael’s men are waiting at the apartment? I just can’t do it.
There’s a knock at the door.
“Cakes!” Rona is leaning over the tub, splashing both her hands in the water. I bend forward and pull the plug. Despite our situation, I smile softly. It’s so good to see her happy. “All right, dry off Miss Mermaid while I grab our breakfast from the nice man.”
Peering out the glass peephole, I see the edge of the cart and the hotel worker’s badge.
I open the door. “Bring it in, please,” I say as I hold my robe closed. And then the smile freezes on my face.
Because leaning against the wall on my right is Killian. His arms are crossed and his gaze turns murderous as it sweeps across my face.
He pushes off the wall and follows the hotel worker in. The worker glances between us nervously. Killian hands him a wad of cash without taking his eyes off me.
I press a palm over my thumping heart. How did he find me? Does that murderous rage in his eyes mean he hasn’tforgiven me for almost getting his father killed? I glance around for anything I can use to defend myself. Oh, God. Rona. Surely, he wouldn’t hurt a child.
The man scurries from the room like his ass is on fire. Coward.
As soon as the door clicks shut, Killian steps into me.
My breath catches in my throat. I try to squeak out a “please”, but my throat is too constricted.
His hands reach up and... cup my face.
The gentleness is so unexpected, I almost pass out in relief.
He turns my face so my swollen, bruised eye is visible. His expression darkens and his mouth flattens into a hard line. “Who the fuck did this?” His words are barely a whisper but hold so much venom, I get a flashback of Ernesto’s intestines on the warehouse floor.
I begin to tremble. The rage is rolling off him in waves. Between that and the incongruence of his soft touch and the worry in his eyes, I’m completely overwhelmed. My face heats and tears spill down my cheeks.
“Feck.” He sighs. Then he pulls me into his chest, cradling my head gently in one large palm, the other arm wrapped around my lower back to steady me. “You’ll not be fightin’ this devil alone now, Vixen.”
And then, just as my shoulders relax, knowing he’s not going to strangle me, he freezes. Very slowly he pulls away and looks down into my eyes. Shock and confusion brighten his.
I glance down and realize why.
Rona is tugging on his cargo pants, her small face tilted up in curiosity. “Hi,” she says.
“H-i,” he chokes. And then his eyes come back to mine, startled, bright and incredulous and the questions are an avalanche in his gaze, but he only lifts the pierced brow. “Yours?”
I give him one nod.
And so many emotions travel over his face, I can’t keep up. It’s like watching puzzle pieces fall into place. And the last one is understanding.
He lifts a hand, stroking my bruised jaw with a feathery touch, then crouches down and looks my daughter in the eye. “Name’s Killian. What’s your name, little beauty?”
She cocks her head. “I’m Rona. And this is Mermaid Barbie.” She holds up her doll and waves its arm.
Killian takes the tiny plastic hand and shakes it. “Nice to meet you both.” His voice holds a touch of awe as he clears his throat. “You ready to eat some breakfast, yeah?”
“Yep! Cece makes the best cakes. She’s in N’York. I miss her.” Rona begins to hop up and down.
“Right. Where do you want to sit?” He chuckles as he stands.
“Wanna watch bunny cartoons.” Rona climbs up on the edge of the bed and arranges her wet doll beside her on the comforter.
