“I was hemorrhaging. I nearly bled to death. After I was taken to the hospital and had surgery, I was told I’d never have children because of the damage he did to my uterus. I had a complete hysterectomy.”
I did wonder why she never had a period with us but didn’t question it.
Heather finishes her second glass of wine and looks directly at Killian.
“He will probably hide a knife in at least one of his shoes. Maybe one on his thigh, under his shorts. If he knows about my connection with you, and I suspect he does, he will use that to get into your head. Every word that comes out of his mouth is vile. Don’t let anything he says affect you. If you do, that’s whenhe will strike. Grave is disgusting but intelligent. He will destroy you mentally, wear you down that way, and likely produce a weapon to finish you off. It will not be a fair fight. I suggest you plan on not fighting fair either. It’s the only way to win against his tactics.”
Killian shakes his head in disagreement.
“I don’t fight dirty—I fight like a man.”
“A dead man.” Heather quickly counters.
“I promise you. He will have a weapon. I am begging you, Killian. Please fight dirty. For us.”
He gets off the sofa and sets his drink on the intricate coffee table and goes to her. He kneels in front of her, laying his head on her lap, and she runs her fingers through his hair. Carter and I watch our brother crumble for her. Killian has always taken great pride in fighting fair. Nobody tells him what to do. He is a man firm in the decisions he makes—much like when he decided Heather was our enemy. Lifting his head, he looks up into her face.
“If this is what you want—I’ll fight dirty for you.”
Carter and I exchange a knowing glance. I don’t know when it happened, but Killian is in love with her, and now he isn’t fighting it. I can’t help the smile on my face as I take them in.
She is the absolute proof, as Carter echoes my sentiments audibly.
“Love is stronger than hate.”
I nod in agreement. There’s a thin line between love and hate. Clearly, Killian has crossed over to the other side. He sees what Carter, and I saw in her all along. Better late than never.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
CARTER
Iwish I were in this fight instead of Killian. Listening to her talk about Grave and what he did to her—what he cost her — caused the anger to bubble up to the point of barely being able to contain it. The desire to butcher this fucker while he screams is strong. Yet, I don’t have that option because of the fight. If he loses, we are supposed to accept it without retaliation. That’s the agreement Killian made. I was not consulted, and I won’t stand by it. If Killian doesn’t end this fucker's life —Iwill.
I’ll rip his fucking throat out. He will learn what happens to anyone who hurts what belongs to me. And my Little Heathen—is mine.
“Carter?”
Her voice is like a soothing balm and instantly calms me.
I look down and find her kneeling in front of me, hands behind her back, with concerned blue eyes fixed on mine.
Leaning forward, I stroke my fingers through her silky blonde hair as I attempt to assure her.
“Yes, beautiful girl. I’m fine.”
I don’t tell her how pissed I am that there are more assholes who hurt her—who took from her without consent.
“You’re angry.”
It’s not a question, but an observation. Heather sees everything. I can hide my feelings from most of the world, but with her—I can’t.
And I don’t want to.
“Did it make you angry when I told you what happened to me?” I ask, knowing the answer but wanting to make a point.
Her expression turns from sad to angry, confirming my suspicions.
“Yes. Heartbroken and furious. You were so little-“
