AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You’re not alone,” Kellan said, and my brother peered past me to his friend.
“You knew.”
“She told me.”
“Thank you for protecting her.” The genuine gratitude amidst the tumultuous anger made me want to hug him more. Then he focused on me again. “Mayhem knows?”
“Now.” And she never told him; she wouldn’t have, because it was my secret.
He settled his hands on my biceps. His grip was firm but not painful. “Is she in any danger with this knowledge?”
I swallowed. “I don’t—know. I sent her a text from the hospital. If my uncle was punishing us for taking Mom, I wanted to warn her. She said she was fine.”
Milo’s expression went distant.
“If you want to go to see her…”
“No,” he said once, shaking his head. “We should tell Liam’s friends, though.” That sent a muscle ticking in his jaw.
“Ezra and Adam?” I tilted my head. The names evoked a far less relaxed response from him.
“Yes,” he said through gritted teeth. “They want to protect her. They can make sure she stays safe.”
Despite all of that, indecision played out across his expression.
“I’ll call Ezra,” I said, and he scowled down at me. “Hey, I like Ezra most of the time, and I like Adam. Except when Lainey needs me to not like them.”
That chased away his scowl and the corners of his lips quirked up.
“You get a pass because you’re my brother, so I won’t choose between you.”
“Noted.” He sighed. “Fuck, c’mere.” He dragged me into another hug, and I gripped him as tightly as he held onto me. “I’m sorry, Ivy. So fucking sorry.”
“I’m okay,” I promised him, and when he gave a little startled movement, I pulled back to hold his gaze. “I really am okay…I’m not there anymore. I’m here. Where I am safe and cared for. Didn’t I say going out in that dress that no one would touch me and get away with it?”
It was probably the most flippant of responses, yet it made Milo chuckle. “You did.” Exasperation seemed to creep through the cracks of his temper for a moment. “You really do belong here, Ivy. You will always belong here. You always have…I know what I said. But that Milo was a fucking idiot.”
“Hey,” I protested, punching his shoulder. “Don’t talk about my brother that way.”
His grin was so real, genuine humor and warmth bursting free. “Gonna kick my ass if I keep it up?”
“Yes, and I’ll get Liam and the others to help me.”
“Seven to one, Raptor,” Kellan said dryly. “You’re toast.”
Laughter rumbled out of him. It was rough but real. He pressed his lips to my forehead, lingering there for the longest moment. I closed my eyes to drink in the contact and the nearness. I broke his heart. He was a survivor, however. He was trying to comfort me even as I wanted to comfort him.
“Take Kellan up to bed,” he said finally. “Both of you get some sleep. I'll keep an eye on things here and on your mother.”
“Are you actually sending me to bed with one of the guys?” I put a hand over my heart. “Have we reached that part where we can talk about how good the s—”
He covered my mouth with his hand, chuckling and shaking his head. “Nope. Just go to bed, Ivy, and I’ll pretend all you two do is sleep.”
“Milo,” I said when he would have backed away. “Promise me you won’t leave if I go to sleep?”
His eyes narrowed.
“Give both of us your word,” Kellan said, his tone firm. “She doesn’t want you going after him without us, and neither do I.”
