“You die because of me. How does that turn out? Every time they look at me they think about how I cost them their brother. It probably won’t be quick. Instead, it’ll be long and painful until they finally reach their breaking point.”
I press my palm to her cheek and she leans into my touch like a kitten starved for attention.
“You’re over thinking this, baby. Knox and Carter could never walk away from you. They know this fight was my choice, and they would’ve done the same thing I did. I’m not fucking dead, and I have no intention of losing this fight. I will win this for you.”
“But-“ she attempts to argue with me, and I stop her because I’m not willing to think this will turn out any other way.
“Enough. I will win this because you are going to help me prepare for it.”
She laughs as if I’m joking, but I’m drop-dead serious.
When she spots my expression, she says, “Actually? How could I possibly help you prepare?”
Lifting her hand, I bring it to my lips and kiss her palm.
“First, you tell me everything you know about my opponent. How he fights, weapons I might expect, his strengths and weaknesses. Tell me everything you’ve seen with him. Maybe things you’ve heard. I need to not be caught off guard. Somehow, I have to anticipate his every move. Most important is for you to stop acting like I’m going to die. If I go in with a defeated attitude, I probably will. I need you to believe in me, baby.”
Heather climbs onto my lap and wraps her arms around my neck. Her blue eyes, now less sad, are fucking mesmerizing.
“I’m sorry. You’re right. I believe in you. Win this fight, not for me, but all of us. Knox and Carter might be mad at you, but they’ll work through it because they need you too. Grave is hard for me to talk about. We have a lot of history, and he’s the reason I can’t ever have children. But if it will help you, I will tell you everything because you have to win, Killian. Losing is not an option. I need you.”
I dig my fingers into her hair, pull her head back and kiss her in response. Those three fucking words are powerful. She parts her lips, letting me in, and I slide my tongue against hers as I cradle the back of her head. As we pull apart, I know why I’m going to win this fucking fight.
It’s her.
She’s the reason.
For everything.
TRIGGER WARNING
Trigger Warning:
The following chapter contains a discussion of a violent, forced abortion, and infertility. Reader discretion is advised.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
KNOX
When Killian comes into the kitchen without Heather, I fear the worst, and the look on Carter’s face tells me he’s thinking the same thing.
“Heather is going to tell us everything about Grave that she knows. It’ll be traumatic, so I thought it best for all of us to be here for her.”
Carter’s eyes darken with palpable viciousness, but I know it’s not directed at me.
“Did he hurt her?”
I shake my head because I’m not going to repeat what she said to me without her permission.
“I think he did more than hurt her, but let's wait and find out after she gets out of the shower.”
Carter dries the plate in his hands and puts it in the cupboard.
“So you two are good now?” He asks as he turns around and looks at Killian.
“For the moment. I expect it to keep coming up for her, for all of you. I know what I did and the damage I caused. I’d bean idiot to think any of you would simply forgive and forget. It’ll take time to rebuild the trust I broke.”
Neither of us has the chance to respond because Heather walks in with a smile on her face.
