Tears welled in my eyes and I reached my hands out for him. He smiled and leaned into me, kissing my cheek and snaking his arm around my body.
"I love you," he whispered.
I hugged him tighter.
"Philip," I whispered gently, "told me things.
Kane pulled back and swallowed. "What did he tell you?"
"He was watchin' me for weeks," I whispered. "I met him in the hospital and in the p-pub without realisin'. He was the one who bought me the flowers that were sent to my classroom."
Kane's face hardened. "He must have seen you with me and wanted to know who you were."
I nodded my head. "He told me about your whippin's and the shock treatment."
Kane closed his eyes. "The bastard."
I waited for him to open his eyes and look at me.
"You didn't need to know those things, babydoll. No one needs to know any of what I was put through. No good comes from it."
I agreed so I nodded my head.
"He told me you killed his son," I painfully swallowed. "He said he was goin' to kill me and the baby the same way to make you wish you were dead."
Veins bulged in Kane's neck.
"He will die for this. I promise you."
I blinked. "Did you kill his son?"
Kane held my gaze. "Yes, I did."
Oh, God.
"Why?"
Kane swallowed. "Big Phil's son, Colin, wasn't a nice kid. He was sixteen at the time … and I caught him doing something really, really wrong."
I didn't want to know, but I didn't stop Kane from speaking.
"He had one of the guard's five-year-old daughters … and he was violating her."
Oh, Jesus.
My stomach churned.
Kane ran his hands through his hair. "I couldn't help it. I went crazy. He was passed out so I locked him in the room I found him in, then I brought the girl to her father and assured him I'd kill Colin. So that's what I did. I didn't lay a finger on him, but I made sure he would die painfully for being the vile creature he was. I just got a canister of gas and I poured it everywhere in the room I locked him in and set it on fire."
I grabbed hold of Kane's hand.
"I didn't realise Big Phil was in the bathroom of the room, but he was. I didn't know if he hurt the little girl either, but I didn't care. He tried to save Colin, but I poured gas over him so he was already dead within minutes. He died painfully. Big Phil got badly burned, but the fire was put out before he could die, too."
I squeezed Kane's hand.
"Marco asked what happened because the cameras didn't work in that section of the compound-I'm sure it's the reason Colin took the girl there. No one would see what he was doing to her. I told him I had no idea, and that was it. Big Phil was in the hospital for a long time after that, but I forgot about him because it was around the same time we came to Ireland. I hadn't given him a second thought until Damien's voicemail message."
I winced. "How do you think he knew it was you?"
"Maybe one of the guards told him?" Kane guessed. "I don't know; the girl's father wasn't the only one around when I brought her to him. Any of them could have overheard my plan."
I rubbed my thumb over his hand. "You did the right thing, Kane."
He looked at me. "I know, I couldn't let him live, not with her, and other kids, living on the compound."
I nodded my head in agreement.
"Don't think about this anymore, I will keep you updated on everything, but do not worry. I have help to get him."
"Help?"
Kane nodded. "My brothers, your brothers, your father... and Brandy."
I closed my eyes.
"I need Brandy to find him; I paid him for his help. I don't have to do anything bad, I promise."
That relieved me greatly.
"This isn't the end, babydoll. It's only the beginning."
I opened my eyes and looked at Kane. "I love you."
He leaned down and kissed my forehead.
"This is me ma's doin'," James' voice mumbled as the door to the room opened. "She made her get with a Slater knowin' good and well I think they are a pack of pricks."
My father chuckled as he rounded the bed and reached over and took my free hand in his. I looked at him when Kane pulled away and sat on the seat to my left. My father's eyes welled up and when I reached for him, he leaned over and placed his cheek against mine.
"You frightened the life out of me, baby girl."
I squeezed him.
"I'm so happy you and the baby are okay."
My dad pulled back from me and didn't try to hide the fact that he was wiping his eyes.
"Where did everyone go?" James asked.
"For food," Kane replied.
James looked at our father. "Let's go join them. They're takin' her to that chamber thing in five minutes, and Kane will be the only one allowed to go with her."
My father nodded and leaned in to kiss me once more before he stood up. He extended his hand to Kane who clasped his hand and shook it firmly.
"Take care of our girl," he said.
I burst with love for my father.
He said, ‘our girl' not ‘my.'
"I will, sir." Kane nodded.
"I'll kick your arse if you don't, Slater."
I rolled my eyes at James while Kane snorted.
They left the room then and Kane sat down back down next to me.
"We have a few minutes before the nurses come for you."
I smirked.
"You have me all to yourself, germinator. What do you want to do?" I whispered, only wincing a little at the pain in my throat.
Kane locked his eyes on mine and with a smirk, he said, "When you come back here I want to turn on my laptop and watch season three of the Sons of Anarchy with you."
Fuck.
How'd I get so lucky?
"I love it when you talk dirty to me."
Kane laughed, "Then shut up and listen to me talk. Rest your voice - your throat won't heal otherwise."
"One more thing then I'll stop."
"What is it?"
"I love you," I whispered.
Kane's face softened. "I love you too, Aideen. You're my whole world, babydoll, but if you say one more word, I'll put tape over your mouth."
"Me and you?"
He nodded. "Me and you."
I smiled wide as I leaned in to kiss him, but my facemask got in the way. I then sighed when the door to my room opened.
I was being cockblocked.
I expected it to be a nurse or doctor, but the person who walked in was not a nurse or a doctor. He had a large bouquet of flowers, and I couldn't see his face because the flowers covered it, but I could see he had white-blond hair.
Oh, my God.
When the flowers were lowered and I realised who it was, I stared at him with my mouth agape. I shook my head, and for a moment, I thought I stopped breathing.
I couldn't believe who I was seeing.
"Kane," I whispered, not taking my eyes off him in case he disappeared.
"Aideen, what did the nurse tell you? You can't talk-"
"Look," I cut him off, my voice cracking and causing me pain.
I didn't care though-I was too astonished to focus on the pain.
Kane raised his eyebrows at me then stood up and turned around to see who was at the door and when he did, he almost fell on top of me. He stumbled but quickly steadied himself then took a hesitant step forward, opening and closing his mouth like a fish.
He was flabbergasted.
"I know, I'm ridiculously good looking and you can't help but fawn over the canvas that is my stunning face, but are you going to get your ass over here and hug me or stand there staring all day?"
Kane didn't move an inch. Instead, he repeatedly blinked his eyes as if to check if they were playing tricks on him. When he realised who was really here, and it wasn't some sort of joke his mind was playing, Kane took another step forward and whispered one word.
"Damien?"
Finally, I have reached the acknowledgments. That means Kane is complete. Thank you, God! I have my usual village of people to thank for helping make this book possible.
As always I'd like to thank God first and foremost, through Him all things are possible.
I wouldn't be where I am today without my daughter; you're the best thing ever to happen to me. I love you with all my heart, mini me.
My family. My crazy family. Thank you all for believing in me. Love you all!
My sister, my crazy partner in crime. I love you so much, and I'm so happy you get to share in this incredible journey with me. You're a star.
Yessi – I kind of like you. Kind of. That's the only nice thing I'm saying.
Jill – Thank you for being the amazing person you are, love you!
Mary – You always manage to make me smile, no matter what it is you do. Love you loads.
Jen, thank you so much for making editing a semi-enjoyable experience ;) Your witty comments and GIFs make the whole process better!
Jenny, the Goddess over at Editing4Indies, I love you for proofreading Kane so well! You're brilliant!
Nicola Rhead, thank you for also proofreading Kane, you're a gem!
Mayhem Cover Creations, you have done it again LJ. Kane is the sixth cover you have created for me, and I am absolutely in love with it. Thank you!