Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 79575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79575 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Kiara stares at me for a moment, then her face crumbles. An overwhelming emotion of protectiveness surges through me. Without thinking, I move to sit on the couch and pull her to my chest.
Her hand comes up between us, and she grabs a fistful of my vest, smothering her cries against me.
My arms lock around her, and it feels like it will be an impossible task to pry them away from her.
Lowering my head, I press a kiss to her hair. “I’ve got you. Okay?”
She nods, her sobs breaking my fucking heart.
“I won’t let you get hurt again,” I promise.
Kiara wraps her free arm around my lower back, pressing closer to me. Knowing she’s looking for safety in my arms makes possessiveness pour through my veins.
“I’m so fucking sorry I didn’t see what was happening.”
“I-I… w-was so s-scared,” she stammers through her tears.
My heart.
Will comes rushing into the office with Dr. O’Sullivan right on his heels.
Lowering my mouth close to her ear, I ask, “Are you okay with my doctor looking at you?”
Kiara nods but doesn’t pull away from me. Glancing at Dr. Sullivan, I say, “You’re going to have to check her in my arms.”
I’m not letting go of her unless it’s what she wants.
“Ah…” Dr. Sullivan sets his bag down next to the couch. “Can you move so I can actually see her?”
This time Kiara pulls slightly back. She keeps her head down, reluctantly letting go of my shirt but keeping her other arm wrapped around my lower back.
I quickly make sure the jacket is still covering her, then look at Will. “Find a blanket.”
“Yes, boss.”
Dr. Sullivan reaches for Kiara’s chin, and when she flinches, I almost grind my molars to dust from clenching my teeth.
He starts asking her questions, and listening to her stammer her way through the answers is pure torture.
When he’s done checking her, he says, “She’ll definitely have a concussion. Someone has to keep an eye on her for a couple of days.” The corner of his mouth lifts. “She’s tough, though. No broken bones.” He runs through the list of her bruises which he says will fade within two to three weeks.
Taking an injection out of his bag, he explains, “This will help with the shock.”
I glare at the needle as it pricks her skin. Will comes in with a blanket, and I take it from him. When Dr. O’Sullivan is done treating Kiara, I wrap the blanket around her.
A silent tear trails over her swelling cheek. I rise to my feet and nod to the door. “Thanks, Doc. Will will take care of the payment.”
When the two men leave the office, I don’t waste time bending down and lifting Kiara back into my arms. She wraps her arms around my neck, hiding her face against my shoulder as I carry her out of the office.
On the elevator ride down, we remain silent, stopping on the lobby floor, where Will joins us before we head down to the basement.
“Heading home?” he asks.
I nod. “Get every available man to hunt Finn. I want that fucker found.” My eyes lock with Will. “Alive. He’s mine.”
“On it.”
The elevator opens to the basement, and as we step out, I add, “He took a bullet to the shoulder, and another grazed his leg, so start looking at hospitals.”
Will opens the passenger door to my SUV, and I carefully place Kiara on the seat. Leaning over her, I pull the seat belt on and clip it in. When I straighten up, I say to Will, “Check on Kiara’s mother. I want an update every hour.”
“I’ll drive by her mother’s place,” my friend assures me.
I walk around the back of the SUV and slide in behind the steering wheel. When I start the engine, Kiara gives me an address which I assume is for her own apartment.
Reversing out of the parking space, I tip my chin at Will, then glance at Kiara. “You’re not going home.”
Her eyes shimmer in the light coming into the car from the basement. “I d-don’t want to go to t-the hospital.”
“You’re not.” I steer the vehicle out onto the road. “I’m taking you to my place.”
Chapter 18
Kiara
The air I breathe smells tainted.
The lights are too bright.
Staring out of the window, it feels as if someone dug my insides out. I feel hollow.
I can’t comprehend the attack. It doesn’t feel like it happened to me. As if I’m not in this body.
Wrapping the blanket tighter around me, I cover my mouth with some of it.
Finn stripped me of everything I am. Everything I was.
Mom.
I peek at Liam. “Will my mom be safe?”
His eyes leave the road to find mine. “Yes. I have men guarding her.”
My throat closes up, but I squeeze the words out in a strained voice, “Thank you.”
My eyes keep darting between the window and Liam. I’m scared if I look away for too long, he might disappear. It’s stupid, but I can’t help it. Right now, I need someone stronger than me by my side.