“Yeah, you’re right,” he said, picking the phone up. “I’ll eat this and then go and put it on charge.”
He pocketed the phone and smiled at her.
There was a healthy glow to her cheeks. Last night had brought them closer, if that was at all possible.
“You’re going to make me blush if you keep looking at me like that.”
“I can’t help it. You know what I’m thinking about?” he asked, grabbing her hand.
“Do I want to know?”
He shook his head, smiling. “Probably not.”
She laughed. “I’ve never seen you like this before.”
Killer waited for her to elaborate.
“Fine, you’re always so quiet, and you never really talk or smile. I mean, it’s not a bad thing to see you smile, but I’ve never seen you so happy not even when we were dating.” She bit her lip and looked down at her breakfast.
Squeezing her hand he tried to offer her comfort. “I’ve never had a reason to be happy. I know the time we’ve spent together has been all over the place. We’ve never dated, Kels. My past, it’s pretty fucking dark.” He stopped recalling all the order from the leader of The Lions. Gritting his teeth he forced the memories down, refusing to let himself be vulnerable. “I promise myself the moment I got into The Skulls I’d never kill anyone unless I could guarantee they were guilty or if they hurt those I care about.”
They were silent, and he dropped the fork onto his plate, losing his appetite.
“We don’t need to discuss this, Killer. I’m so sorry. I meant by words how happy you are, and I hope it’s because of me as much as this set-up.”
Seeing her concern lightened his mood. He kept hold of her hand like a lifeline. “I killed people, Kels. I killed men and women. Whores, criminal, and innocents.” He turned to look off to the side. The remembered screams still haunted him if he allowed them in. “That is my past, baby. It’s the past, and I’m not going to let it affect our future.”
“I know.” She climbed off her chair and sat down on his lap. “Your past is staying there.” Kelsey cupped his face. “I love you, Killer. Not the man you were.” She kissed his lips.
He held onto her waist knowing he’d found heaven inside her. “What did I ever do to deserve you?” he asked.
“You stuck around.” She kissed his lips, chuckling. “Go, charge your phone, and see what home has to say. I want to make this real in Fort Wills.”
She climbed off him, taking their food to the sink.
Leaving her alone, he walked upstairs to find the charger on the vanity table. Inserting the cable into the phone, he plugged it into the wall and turned the blasted thing on. He hated cell phones and had a tendency to break them. Why did companies have to keep bringing out a smaller device that was flimsier than the last?
Within seconds the phone rang. Glancing down he saw it was Tiny calling. Accepting the call, he pressed the device to his ear. “What’s the matter?” he asked.
“Killer, fuck, why haven’t you been answering the fucking phone?” Tate asked. Hearing Tiny’s daughter instead of the man unnerved him.
“What the hell are you doing with his phone?” Looking toward the door, he frowned, listening for Kelsey’s humming. Whenever she washed dishes she hummed to herself.
“Tiny and the boys are on their way. The shit has hit the fan. Get Kelsey, and get out of there. It’s too dangerous. Michael Granito is not the problem. His enemies are after her to blackmail him.”
He dropped the phone, heading downstairs. Grabbing the keys from the drawer beside the door, he called Kelsey’s name out. She didn’t answer his call. Grabbing the gun he kept in the drawer for safe keeping he called her name out again.
Frowning, he made his way down the corridor. Taking the safety off the gun he rounded the corner, and it took every ounce of strength not to fall apart. One man held Kelsey in his arms with a knife pressed to her neck. A second man held her wrist out and was opening up her wound. The third man had a gun pressed to her temple. The fear in her eyes would stay with him forever. He’d left her for a few seconds, and three men he’d never seen held her against her will, threatening her.
“Who the fuck are you?” he asked, shouting the words.
He held the gun up waiting for the right opportunity to kill them. If he fired at any of them the other would harm or kill her. Fuck, he couldn’t protect her.
“We’re none of your concern,” the one with the knife said.
“The moment you touched my woman, you became my concern,” he said, glaring between them.