She also kept it under wraps, because Kane didn’t want it broadcasted to the rest of the group. He liked his privacy and she respected that.
“You better thank God that I have to go home and feed Storm. I’d wipe the floor with you otherwise.”
“Till next time, short-ass.”
Keela casually strolled into the sitting room and stated, “I hate your boyfriend.”
I grabbed my chest. “That’s a shame, because I love yours.”
Keela’s lip twitched. “I’ll be back over tonight, I just have to go and feed—”
“The fat beast, I heard you.”
Keela growled. “You’d think being pregnant would make you sentimental and give Storm a chance, but no, you still rag on him.”
In Keela’s mind, Storm was her baby.
“He’d make a saint curse, Kay.”
Her left eye twitched just before she turned and walked out of my house, giving me the finger along the way. “I’ll remember all of this when you’re in the height of pain in labour.”
I grunted when the apartment door shut. I cringed then and silently prayed karma wouldn’t make my labour extra painful, because I teased Storm a lot... he brought it upon himself most of the time, so when you think about it, I shouldn’t suffer because of it.
I leaned back and closed my eyes on a sigh, but just as quickly I snapped them back open. I shot upright when I realised no one was in the room with me.
I was on my own.
Panic struck.
“Kane!” I called out as I looked around the sitting room, expecting someone to jump out and grab me.
I heard his footsteps as he walked down the hallway and into the sitting room, a white mug in his hand with steam rising from it. He quickly sat the mug down on our coffee table when he saw my face and rushed over to me.
“What is it?” he asked and placed a hand on my stomach in silent question.
I swallowed and shook my head. “Nothin’, it’s just... I thought I was on my own for a second and... you know, I got scared.”
Kane blinked. “You told me you weren’t afraid to be on your own anymore.”
I looked down. “I lied.”
Kane sighed and kneeled on the floor. “I’ll kill him for putting such fear into you.”
I squeezed my eyes shut as Big Phil’s face cut through my mind.
“I know.”
Kane kissed the side of my head. “Do you want to help me with my injection?”
He could do them himself now, but I appreciated him putting my focus on him instead of the monster that haunted me.
I didn’t dream of that night I was trapped in my old classroom, nor did Big Phil’s face cut into my dreams. He only plagued me during waking hours when I could sit and think of the ‘what ifs’.
What if I didn’t get out in time?
What if I inhaled more smoke?
What if he was still close by and watching us, waiting for the right moment to strike?
I didn’t voice my thoughts, but they troubled me, and I knew the same questions haunted Kane. He was just keeping it to himself like I was because he didn’t want to upset me.
We both suffered in silence.
I knew Kane, his brothers, my brothers, and Keela’s uncle Brandon were looking for Big Phil, but none of that eased my mind. He got me once before, and he could do it again if he wanted to. He was that kind of person... if he wanted something, he got it.
Period.
I think Kane knew that as well. It was one of the reasons I was never without male companionship. When Kane wasn’t with me, one of his or my brothers were. It was a round-the-clock security gridlock the lads had going. Kane went as far as to completely seal off the apartment complex I lived in, and he tripled the security detail.
I found none of it comforting though.
My mind was my own worst enemy when it came to running plausible outcomes of Big Phil finding me first before the lads found him. It worried me sick.
“Stop thinking of him.”
I looked into Kane’s eyes when he spoke and I nodded my head. “I’m tryin’, I really am. I just can’t help it.”
“I will protect you.” Kane swore, his eyes locked on mine. “No one will ever hurt you.”
I lightly smiled. “Me knight in shinin’... tattoos.”
Kane pumped his eyebrows. “I’m adding to my collection soon.”
I blinked. “Where about and what are you gettin’?”
He showed me both of his wrists so I reached out and rubbed my thumbs over the small patches of un-inked skin.