“Is he— is he dead?” I ask.
Flynn’s jaw sharpens, cold fury in his eyes. He presses two fingers to Tommy’s throat then takes his head in his hands, kneels on his chest, and twists sharply.
I shudder at the crack that fills the air.
“He is now,” Flynn says.
My breath slips out of me.
Flynn climbs off of Tommy and cups my face in his hands. “You did so good, sweetheart.” He picks me up, cradling me to his chest. “Come on, let’s get you out of here.”
I claw my fingers around his top, burying my head in his shoulder and breathing in the familiar rich scent of him.
Flynn carries me through to the living room and sits down on the couch. He drapes a blanket over me and presses his lips to my forehead. Another tear slips silently down my cheek and Flynn brushes it away. “You can let it out, Lilac. It’s okay. I’ve got you now.”
His words unblock the tap and my chest heaves as I sob, the shock and fear pouring out of me as I cry into his chest.
“You know you’re fucking beautiful when you cry,” Flynn whispers and a laugh breaks through my sobs.
“Pretty sure that’s not what you’re supposed to say after someone’s just been attacked.”
Flynn tenses beneath me. “Maybe I should tell you all the things I’m picturing doing to the fucker instead. Or that I think I felt scared for the first time in my fucking life when I realized you were in danger. Or that I’m furious at you for taking down the cameras and that I’m never going to let you out of my sight ever again.”
My heart squeezes. I sit up in Flynn’s lap and cradle his face, the tension in his jaw practically vibrating against my palm. “It’s okay,” I tell him. “I’m okay.”
His pale blue eyes sear into me. “Good. Because you not being okay isn’t an option. Understood?”
I nod.
“While we’re on the topic, you not being mine is also not an option.”
My chest unlocks, all the pain I’ve been holding since I walked out on Flynn pouring out of me. “I was wrong before,” I say. “I don’t want that.” Tears push at my eyes but having Flynn here feels right. “I want you.”
Relief flickers in his eyes and he kisses me. I sink into the feeling of his lips on mine, the firm caress of his tongue soothing my nerves. Flynn is the only man I ever want to kiss.
Eventually we break apart and Flynn tucks my hair behind my ear. “Good choice. Saves me from having to kidnap you again.”
He looks so serious I laugh a little, but then I remember Tommy and I bite my lip. “I do have one question though.”
33
WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT THE DEAD BODY IN MY BEDROOM?
Flynn
It’s a good question.One we need to deal with, but not before I’ve taken care of Hazel.
My Little Lilac knows how to fight, and pride burns inside of me. A twin flame to the rage at her ex for daring to touch what’s mine. I’m still vibrating, the urge to break bones pulsing in my fingers.
Hazel may have fought him off but that doesn’t mean she got out unscathed. She’s already going into shock, the freckles on the bridge of her nose stark against her ashen skin.
I nod at Lachlan in thanks as he comes through the archway from the kitchen carrying a steaming mug. Hazel has started to shake, so I take it from him and help her hold it as she brings it to her lips.
When she groans, panic punches my heart but then she says, “Doeseveryonemake better hot chocolate than me?” The question shudders out of chattering teeth, but I laugh because it’s exactly like Hazel to lament her cooking skills only minutes after having been attacked.
“What you make can’t even be called hot chocolate,” I say, pressing my nose against her cheek. Her breath slips out ofher at the contact, like just me touching her makes it easier to breathe. I wonder if she knows she does the same for me?
“He was supposed to take me somewhere,” Hazel whispers, and I actively focus on not tensing up. Hazel needs me calm right now. “To the senator.”
