“We need to leave our cars.” Knox says, and Killian immediately agrees with him.
“The Range Rover isn’t registered to us. That’s probably our safest option.”
Carter nods. “I cleaned out the safe.”
Knox stands, grinning at me, and my heart races knowing my two men are so happy to see me.
“I don’t mind carrying you, Tesoro, but is there a reason you can’t walk?”
I glance between three concerned expressions and tell them the truth.
“I wouldn’t kneel, so I was beaten with a paddle. Several times on my back and then on the head when I tried to kill the nun.”
Knox lifts an eyebrow and laughs loudly.
“Of course, our girl tried to kill a nun. We will get you something for the pain before we leave. Do you need to see a doctor?”
“No. I’m fine. It’ll heal. It always does.”
Knox growls furiously and sits beside me again.
“I’m going to look. Is that okay?”
Again he’s asking for my consent, and I love that about him. So much.
“Yes.”
He gently lifts my shirt and tenderly touches my back. He strokes his fingers across my skin. I hiss through clenched teethwhen his touch is a little too firm. When he speaks, his voice is pained. As if the throbbing in my back hurts him too.
“Tesoro. You are black and blue. I am so fucking sorry for what he did to you. To us.”
Slowly I turn to him and run my fingers down his stubbled jaw.
“If you’re talking about Killian—yeah, I hate him. Still, this isn’t his fault. He didn’t hit me, and honestly, Jedediah would’ve made this happen eventually, anyway. Killian bears some of the responsibility, but not for my back.”
Killian hands me a glass of water and pills. I take them from him, but look hesitantly at the drugs in my palm and then the glass of water.
“Is this poisoned?” I ask.
Carter shakes his head.
“I watched him. It’s safe.”
Killian scowls at his brother and opens his mouth to speak, but thinks better of it and snaps it closed.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CARTER
She’s here with us and alive. It’s such a fucking relief, but I’m so goddamn pissed that they hurt her—although I’m not surprised. St. Dymphna’s still lives in my nightmares. I spoke with Killian in the kitchen, and he is confident she’s not safe. I agree with him. It wasn’t a complete surprise for him to tell me about his deal with the priest because Butch had already told us about it. I’m so furious with my brother, but I’m not happy about what he has agreed to. Especially because I think it’s a set-up although I don’t know the details. We need to be prepared for anything when this fight goes down. Kill is a skilled fighter, but he could lose, and if he does, it means death for him and possibly for us. As pissed as I am, I don’t want my brother to die. Even on that horrible night, I didn’t want him dead—I just wanted him out of sight.
Knox carries her into the back of the Range Rover and slides in beside her.
“Are you okay with her between us?” he asks, and I nod.
“I trust her. Implicitly.”
Killian slides into the front seat, and Heather asks, “Does he have to come with us?”
