He snagged his lower lip between his teeth, biting so hard he drew blood. I reached up and swept the crimson droplets away. “I won’t let Stan get away with this,” he hissed.
“I know you won’t.”
“Fuck, Lexi. I should have been there. I should have trusted you all along.”
Every frantic word stitched up a piece of the gaping hole he’d left in my chest all those years ago.
His hand tightened around mine, and he led me toward the red Ferrari parked along the curb. My eyes bugged out as he moved to the passenger’s side and opened the door.
“Thanks,” I muttered as I slid into the supple leather seats. Not only did Killian’s chivalry throw me off, but also, I’d never actually ridden in his uber expensive car.
“Where are we going?” I asked as he slid into the driver’s side.
He punched the ignition button, and the engine roared to life. “I need a minute to calm down and figure out our next move.”
Our. That one word had my weary heart soaring. It felt like I’d been alone in this for so long.Papátried his best, but without knowing the truth, he could only do so much. Mom had died, and then Killian left me, and I’d just felt so lost. For the first time in years, the dark chasm didn’t feel quite so impossible to fill.
Killian pumped the gas, and the sleek sports car sped down the street. I cocked my head over my shoulder and hazarded a glance at the looming house in the distance. A chill raced up my spine. If this secret society was so powerful, would we ever be free of them? And would Stan ever really pay for his sins?
Killian’s hand slid covered mine, as if he sensed my unravelling thoughts, his strong fingers an immovable tether in the storm of emotions raging in my gut.
With every mile that passed, the tension in his rigid form began to bleed away.
“So, where are we going?” I repeated once his ragged breaths had returned to normal.
“It’s a surprise.” An unexpected glimmer of amusement flitted over the scowl carved into his jaw.
Twenty minutes later, the Ferrari zipped into a parking spot across from a small dock. A few timeworn boats bobbed along the brackish winter water. I jumped out of the car, and the briny sea air lashed over me. The icy breeze raised the hair on the back of my neck, and I couldn’t control the shudder. Killian must have noticed because in an instant, his arm weaved around my waist, tucking me into his perpetually warm side.
I scanned the horizon, inhaling deep breaths of the salty air until the panic in my chest from reliving the nightmare with Stan and the fear for Killian’s life began to recede.
A handful of sailboats and fancy yachts dotted Copper Cove’s main marina just a few blocks away, but Killian turned us toward a small white fishing boat at the end of the wooden dock. My gaze latched onto the name of the vessel, and all the air I’d fought so hard to win back whooshed out.
Little Red Riding Hood.
It was written in deep crimson, bold script with a wolf’s head at the end, its jaw wide open swallowing up the last word.
“Killian...” I murmured.
“I bought it about a week before you showed up at Stonewall. Kind of like fate, I guess. Anyway, I’ve been trying to fix it up, but I’ve been kind of distracted.” He dragged his palm across the back of his neck. “I paid for it with my own money, so Bassand Stan don’t even know it exists. It’s nothing special yet, but maybe one day?—”
“It’s perfect,” I blurted.
I raced across the squeaky wooden planks, tugging Killian along with me.
“Since it’s nearly winter, I doubt anyone will be around. It’ll be a decent place to hide out for a day or two. Assuming we don’t freeze to death.”
“I’m sure we’ll figure out some way to stay warm.” An embarrassingly raspy edge laced my tone.
A grin curled the corner of Killian’s lips, the first I’d seen since we found that video on Sebastian’s computer. I hated to ruin the mood right now, but why did his stepbrother have it? I couldn’t imagine Stan would allow anyone access to such incriminating evidence.
Killian scooped me into his arms, and all thoughts of Sebastian and Stan vanished as a squeal parted my lips.
“Welcome aboard, Red.” He leapt onto the boat, crushing me against his chest. I clutched the back of his neck as he jumped the gap, icy waters churning below. “I guess it is about time I christen this baby.” His eyes seared into mine, mesmerizing irises pulsing with desire.
He dug a key out of his pocket and slid it into the lock of the red wooden door. Unlike everything else on the boat, the paint was fresh. Red. Even after all these years of hating me, he’d named his boat after me. Despite the icy chill, my heart warmed.
Killian carried me over the threshold and through the narrow cabin, revealing the quaint quarters below deck. A small kitchenette with all the necessities ran along the right side, while a little booth with a table stood on the left. At the back of the cabin were double bunk beds. Kill’s gaze followed mine as I took it all in.
