“The stupid fuckers who dumped the bodies were caught on camera. We’ve not identified them, but we’ve studied the video. One of them was inked in the space behind his ear with the mark of The Order.”
“These people are monsters.” And I’m going to be married to the man who leads them. What if he and his father can’t reform them? That’s more than a little frightening.
“A plan has been set into motion to reveal the traitors before the entire brotherhood. It’s happening tomorrow night.”
“Good. They deserve everything they get.”
“Something else to discuss. I asked, or rather I told, The Fellowship that I wanted three days with you and Ellison so that I could choose which one of you I wanted as my wife. Technically, that time won’t be up until Monday night, but I’m taking you back early.”
I don’t understand. He’s claimed me as his mate. “Why?”
“I need you to be in a safe place when our plan plays out, and that’s not here.”
“What’s going to happen?” Kieran looks at me, saying nothing. Looking so torn. “I’m not the enemy.”
“It’s not that I don’t trust you.”
“Then what is it?”
“I wanted more time for you to come to know me before I told you who I am to my brotherhood. And what I do.” He has that same pained expression as he had this morning.
“Are you talking about your contribution to the brotherhood?”
“Aye.”
“I’m not a stranger to contributions and what they are.”
“Sinclair is a lawyer. Mitch is an accountant. Jamie is a doctor. I’m none of those things.”
“I never thought you were.” Kieran grimaces and lowers his face, breaking our eye contact. “Whatever it is, you can tell me. I promise it’ll be okay.”
He lifts his face and our eyes connect again. “I’m an assassin. I have one job, and it’s to kill anyone who becomes a problem for the brotherhood.”
Fuck.
That’s not what I expected to hear.
“This morning’s killing wasn’t unplanned? You went there to gun down those men?”
“They were a problem for us, and I took care of them.”
“And you’re going to take care of the men who killed those women and dumped them here to frame The Fellowship?”
“I am, along with anyone else who tries to be an obstacle in setting this brotherhood on a better course. Tomorrow night could turn into a bloodbath, but no Order member will walk away unclear about the way this brotherhood is going to function going forward.”
“You’ve killed a lot of people?”
I hate hearing that question, but I won’t lie to her. “Yes.”
“How many?”
“I don’t keep a count because it’s better if I don’t know.” Some brothers are proud of their kills. They proudly display the numbers with ink on their skin. I’ve never understood that.
“How long have you been doing it?”
“My first kill was ten years ago.”
Only eighteen when he took his first life. Still a kid. “Killing bothers you.” I could see how deeply affected he was when he returned from shooting those men.
“I’m not immune to taking lives. If I ever am, then I’ve become a savage animal who should be put down.”
I’m surprised by how much those words disturb me. “Don’t say that.”
“An executioner is always in danger of losing his empathy and humanity. I don’t want to become that person.”
“I won’t let that happen.”
“My question for you is this: can you accept a killer as your husband?”
“You aren’t defined by your contribution.” I lean forward and place a kiss against his lips. “I will accept you as my husband just the way you are.”
“I’m a dreadful person who does vile things.” He closes his eyes and presses his forehead to mine. “I don’t deserve you.”
I slide off the side of the bed and crawl on top of him, one leg on each side of his hips, and wrap my arms around his shoulders. I want to make him forget about who he is and what he does. “Let’s not talk about it anymore.” I move my hips and grind against his growing erection. “In fact, let’s spend the rest of the night not talking at all.”
Kieran and I are already in the backseat when Ellison is escorted out to join us. She immediately reaches out to me for a hug. “Oh my God, Wes. I’m so relieved that you’re in this car.”
Not one word is said by anyone during the drive home. I can’t bring myself to talk to Kieran in a casual manner in front of Ellison. And I also can’t speak to Ellison as though I’m still a captive in front of Kieran. I hide my left hand from Ellison beneath my leg; it’s a precarious predicament.
Kieran may be silent, but his possessive hold on my thigh speaks volumes. It tells me how much he hates taking me back. How much he’s going to hate being apart for the next few days. And I feel the same.
Lennox phoned Thane to tell him that Kieran was bringing us home, and I’m not surprised to see The Fellowship council standing in front of the house, awaiting our return.
The car stops, and I expect Ellison to jump out and run to Jamie. But she doesn’t. Not even when Niall opens the door. Kieran looks at me and then to her. “You’re free to go, Miss MacAllister.”
Ellison slides over and gets out of the car, but I stay behind. “Come on, Wes. Let’s go.”
“Miss Breckenridge and I need a private moment. She’ll join you in a minute.” Ellison doesn’t move. “Go, Miss MacAllister. Now.”
Kieran motions for Niall to shut the door. The instant it closes, he pulls me into his arms. “I don’t want to leave without you. It feels wrong.”
“I don’t want to be separated from you either.” I had no idea I could develop an attachment to someone so quickly.
“I’m coming for you in three days, and I’m not leaving Fellowship property without you.”
“I’ll be ready.” He holds the sides of my face and kisses me like crazy. Like he may never see me again. “Until Wednesday, Kieran.”
He kisses my forehead. “Until Wednesday. Call me if you need anything. An
ything at all.”
“I will.”
Kieran taps on the window and Niall opens the door. Jamie races toward me when he sees me leave the sedan. My brother pulls me against him and uses his body to shield me from Kieran’s sight. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Jamie.”
Kieran lowers his window. “We’ll contact you in three days to set up the next meeting.”
“Bye,” I silently mouth.
“Everyone inside. Bleu and Isobel are desperate to see Westlyn and Ellison,” Thane says.
Isobel gives me the we will talk later eyes before she hugs me. “Thank God ye came back tae us safely. The entire brotherhood has been in a state of chaos.”
“I understand it’s the last thing either of you feel like doing right now, but the council needs to question you about the abduction.” Thane is eager to get answers for his questions.
Isobel releases her hold on me. “Can they wait until tomorrow? It’s late, and both of them are exhausted.”
Thane doesn’t know it yet, but I have no intentions of being questioned now or later.
Thane looks at Ellison. “Is that what you want? To come back for debriefing tomorrow instead of getting it over with tonight?”
“I haven’t slept. I’d probably be more help if we waited since I’m not sure I’m thinking straight right now.”
Poor Ellison. I hate so badly that she was a wreck while I was having the time of my life.
“Can you give them something for sleep?” Bleu asks.
I’m not surprised. Bleu was abducted and held captive by Kieran’s uncle not long ago. She had a lot of trouble sleeping after she came home.
“I have some mild sedatives at the infirmary.”
Jamie can keep his sleeping pills. “Nothing for me. I don’t need anything but a bed.”
“You’re sure? You could take half if you don’t want to be fully sedated.”
“Positive.”
“Westlyn needs her rest, and I’m sure she’ll do that best at her flat. I’ll see her home.” Isobel is dying to get me alone so that she can ask what happened.
Thane puts his arms around me. “I’m sorry we didn’t protect you. It’s unforgivable.”
“Don’t give it another thought; I’m fine.”