I take a sip of the scolding liquid. “Not great, actually.”
He nods knowingly. “Me neither.”
I never managed to get back to sleep after I left Killian last night. I tossed and turned all night, praying sleep would findme, but it never did.
He crosses the space between us, and tilts my chin up, examining my neck. There’s no bruise, I already checked in the bathroom mirror this morning, all that’s visible is a faint red mark on the right hand side of my throat where his thumb was. The bruise Daniel left on my cheek, however, has darkened overnight, but nothing a little concealer won’t cover.
His curses under his breath as he backs away, running his fingers through his beard before the same fist slams against one of the kitchen cabinets, making me jump. He braces himself against the counter and drops his head, blowing out a long breath. “I’m just as bad as that piece of shit who marked your face.”
“You’re nothing like him. Do you think I’d be here with you if you were?”
My words do little to ease him.
He closes the space between us, tucking my hair behind my ear, his fingers light and gentle as they brush my skin. “I’m sorry I scared you.”
I cuff his wrist with my hand, stroking the inside of his wrist with my thumb. “It’s okay.”
He cups my cheek. “I willneverhurt you like that again.”
“I know you won’t.” I lean into his touch. “Listen, could you do me a favour?”
“Sure.”
“I need to pick up some stuff from my house. Could you drive me there? Fi texted me this morning and she said I can crash at hers for as long as I need.”
It throws him off balance, a flash of hurt crosses his face, like the thought of me leaving pains him. He rips his handaway from my face, the loss of his touch is instant.
Ask me to stay,I want to say, because as kind as my best friend is offering to put me up for a few nights, I’d rather stay here with him.
“Yeah. Of course,” he finally says and my heart sinks like a lead weight into my stomach.
We pull up outside my parents’ house. The first thing I spot is my father’s car parked on the driveway and my mood instantly sours. I had hoped he’d already left for work so I wouldn’t have to face him, knowing the shit storm I’m going to be walking into when I cross the threshold.
“I’ll be right here if you need me,” Killian reassures, as is sensing my unease.
I give him a small smile as I climb out of the truck and head up to the front door of the house.
“Kaia?” my father’s voice echoes through the hallway as the door closes behind me. Ignoring him, I head for the stairs, taking two at a time.
The quicker I’m out of here and away from my father the better.
I reach my bedroom, quickly changing into a pair of jeans and a t-shirt before shoving a handful of clothes, together with any toiletries and makeup I’ll need for the next few days into my suitcase. The same suitcase it feels only five minutes since I was unpacking from college. So much has happened since I got back.
I give my room a final once over, making sure I haven’t forgotten anything before leaving. My father is waiting at the bottom of the stairs, my mother appearing from the livingroom to join him.
His eyes travel down to the suitcase in my hand before back up to meet mine. “And what’s this?”
“This is me leaving. I’m done. I’ll be back for the rest of my stuff when I’m settled.” I move for the front door.
“Leaving?” my mother asks. “Where will you go?”
“You’re sure as hell not staying with Killian Hunt,” my father snaps.
I whirl around. “And what if I was? I feel a damn sight safer with him than I did here yesterday.”
“What exactly is that supposed to mean?”
“You knowexactlywhat I mean. Ibeggedyou to not make me go with Daniel to that ball. I told you he tried to hurt me and you still made me go.”
