“It’s alright,” I say, trying to smile. It’s more of a grimace. “Why don’t you get the tickets? I’ll finish this up.”
Reese doesn’t act like he wants to release me. His fingers dig, and his weight grows substantial. Freezing, I watch as Killian grows more intimidating, his energy turning wicked. I silently plead for the heavens to give me thisonebreak.
After a breath, Reese nods, touch slipping away. “Alright. But I’ll be over there.”
We turn to watch him leave, weaving through the crowd, swallowed by the thick, puffy vests and knit caps. As soon as he’s gone, Killian snaps, grabbing my throat, blocking me from curious bystanders. Pushing me close to the brick wall, he cages me into an alcove, his weight my chains.
Back here, no one can see if we kill each other.
His breath skirts my ear. “I don’t know what the fuck is happening, but if you snuck out to getfuckedby someoneother than me, we’re going to have a serious problem.”
Grunting, I say, “I didn’t.”
“Then, what, you needed to spend time with that wet dishrag?” He swallows, fighting his wrath. “Am I not good company anymore?”
Swallowing against the burn of his hand, I shake my head. “It’s not that, but you need to leave.”
“Like hell,” he vows. “Tellme.”
“I can’t.” Not yet. Not if I’m wrong. “Leave, now.”
“No.” His nails cut deeper, and I gasp. “You’re hiding something again, Princess. And as pissed off as that makes me—trust me, we’re coming back to that—I can’t fucking get the picture of himtouchingyou out of my head. Touching what’s fuckingmine.”
Christ, he’s going to ruineverything.
“Don’t touch him.” Not until I get what I need.
“I won’t make a scene. Not here.” Relief is short-lived as he continues, “But if he keeps touching you, I will find him in a dark corner and break every single bone in the hand that dared to touch whatbelongsto me. Maybe then I’ll use his bones to make something pretty. A new knife handle?”
What does it say about me that I grow damp, body heated by his possessiveness? Now isnotthe time. There are too many conflicting thoughts, emotions, and I have a plan to finish.
But if I ever doubted how I feel about the Reaper, I don’t now.
There’s only one thing that might make him leave. And it kills me to say it.
“He’s myboyfriend,” I whisper. “I wanted to see him. He’s allowed to touch me?—"
“Say that to me again,” he threatens, voice low. “Say it, Maeve. Idareyou. Try to deny you didn’t love being fucked by me—that you don’t bear my fucking initials. But really sell it. That way, when I rip his intestines from his body and wear them like a goddamn crown, it’ll be worth it.”
His nose trails along my neck. “You’re hiding something. Somethingbig.”
“No, I’m not?—”
His knife appears, pressed to the center of my chest. Blocked by his body, no one sees how dangerously close to death I am. “Liar.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him—to confess everything. His eyes are possessed, and this is the Reaper I know and admire. His touch sears me, his jealousy a balm to the torrid emotions barely restrained in my heart, but Ican’t. I’m too fucking stubborn. I want to figure this out on my own; I want to see if I’m right.
If not to finally have understanding, but to prove that I can lead this clan without the Reaper’s influence. Without anyone else’s help. That I can trust myself—my mind—and make the decisions that will impact hundreds of people.
This clan is mine, and I need to be the captain it deserves.
Screams sound behind us, and the stampede of people jostles us closer together. A swarm of individuals starts clawing their way down the sidewalk. Without thought, I curl my hands into the Reaper’s jacket, and he twists, pulling us further into the hole and away from the chaos.
Bodies fall, some crushed underfoot before we hear the bullets. Four in rapid succession, they’re loud over the shouts of fear, and I jump. Killian presses me close, my personal shield.
Tucking me under his chin, he accuses, “Youknew.”
“No, I didn’t,” I deny, eyes glancing to him and away. “I suspected. There’s a difference.”
