This is everything. We are physically as connected as possible in this moment. Her blue eyes on mine, the depth, the emotion—saying so much without speaking a single word.
“Carter!” she cries out as she falls apart for me.
“That’s my girl.” I groan as I fill her with my come.
This woman is my entire world and my sole reason for existing. I know what it’s like to live without her, and I refuse to go through that again. For a long time, I wondered why I survived my childhood. People called it a miracle. I called it a travesty. Now I know, there was a reason.
Her.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
KNOX
Three Days Later…
“Oh, my God!”Heather squeals as we approach the tall black metal gates. I don’t know where this Raven guy gets his money, but he definitely isn’t hurting for cash. The house is surrounded by a gate with armed security outside, telling me that he’s either famous or does something illegal to afford this mansion. I’m guessing it’s the latter. I’m slightly nervous since Heather knows very little about this man. Are we putting her in danger by being here? The fact that he has the same last name as us doesn’t bother me. Plenty of people share names without blood.
Carter stops the vehicle and waits as he fangirls over the color of the home.
“See. I told you. People have black houses. We could’ve done that, and you told me it wasn’t possible. Bullshit.”
Killian chuckles as he grabs Heather's hand.
“Remember what I said. You stay with us. You may trust this man, but we do not. Trust is earned, and he hasn’t earned ours.”
One of the four security guards approaches the window, and Carter lowers it.
“Any weapons?” He asks with a thick Irish accent.
Carter answers him with a quick yes.
“No weapons allowed.”
The gates open, and he nods at my brother to drive through.
“You sure this is a good idea, Tesoro?”
Turning to me with a warm smile, she nods slowly.
“I would never put any of you in danger. I promise, we will be safe.”
I’m not worried about any of us—only her. Our lives have become protecting her at all costs. Heather is the thread holding us together. We lost her once and cannot allow that to happen again. We have experienced life without her, and none of us can live with it.
Carter drives through and parks the car. Heather stares at me reassuringly, as if she can read my mind.
“I promise you, Raven would never hurt me. Bianca would never forgive him, and he’s like you are with me. He will do anything for her.”
I kiss her on her forehead, inhaling her sweet floral scent.
“I trust your judgment, Tesoro.”
Both Killian and I put our guns under the seat while Carter puts his in the glove compartment with a groan.
“I don’t like this, Little Heathen. He will be armed, but we will not be. I hope you’re right about this guy.”
She crosses her heart and speaks confidently.
“You’re worrying about nothing.”
