“Babe, I’m leaving Killian here for a while. Just until things settle down,” he said.
“What? No! I’m not leaving him at a stranger’s house. He needs to be with his mother.”
“And he will be. When it’s safe. I trust Bain with my life. Nothing will happen to Killian here, I promise.”
She glared at him, and Killian knew it would be a long road before she trusted him again. He’d have to earn it, to make up for the mountain of lies he’d told in the past.
“Come on, Killian.”
His son got out of the car without complaint. He was a brave kid. They walked hand in hand to the front door, and before they reached it, Scarlett opened it up. She smiled warmly at his son.
“You must be Killian Junior,” Scarlett said, holding her rounded stomach. She looked to be at least a few months pregnant. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
His son looked up at him, looking for reassurance. It was a step in the right direction. He had a lot of years to make up for. “It’s okay. She’s a friend. You’ll be safe here.”
“What about my mom?”
“I’m going to take care of her. And as soon as I fix this mess, I’m coming for you.”
“You sure you’ll come back this time? Or are you like that cop and want me out of the picture?”
He bent down on one knee to get on Killian’s level. “I’ll never leave you. You’re not some random kid to me. You’re my son. My blood. I want us to be a family, all three of us, not just me and your mom. Understand?”
He nodded, his jaw tight.
“Come on in, honey. I’ll show you to your room. You must be tired,” said Scarlett.
She led little Killian upstairs.
Bain joined him in the entryway, his arms crossed. “You don’t have to worry about the boy.”
“I know.”
“Scarlett’s working on this shit, too. She found the Dead Angels MC tie in, but there’s more she needs to dig up.”
“Good. Great.” He didn’t know what to say. For the first time since starting his new life in this country, he felt a unique vulnerability. He’d been fucking unstoppable, fearless … feared. Now he had to rely on other people, and despite Boss’s frequent warnings not to, he’d fallen in love. Twice. He’d do anything to keep June and Killian safe. “Apparently, he likes to run away, so you’ll have to keep a—”
“I’ve got this, Killian. My place is like Fort Knox. Nobody gets in or out without my consent. I promise you that. If any of those assholes dares to pay a visit, I have a fucking arsenal ready to send them straight to hell.”
“That’s what I need to hear,” Killian said. “I’m heading home. You have my number. June’s injured, and I need to take care of that before anything else.”
“And when you find out who’s responsible?”
Killian smirked. “Let’s just say it won’t end well for them.”
He got back into the car and drove towards the city. “We’re almost there, June. Hang on for me.”
“Why can’t Killian come with us?” she asked. “I don’t understand any of this.”
“He’s my son, too. I won’t let anything happen to him. I’ll explain everything, answer all your questions as soon as we get there.”
“Get where?”
“My place.”
When he saw the lights of the city come into view, he felt a measure of comfort. This was his playground, where he did most of his work for Killer of Kings. It was easy to disappear, and had enough distractions to take his mind off the girl he had to give up.
Only now he had her back. This time he wasn’t letting her go.