Page 282 of By His Rule

“Why are you here, Kian?” I ask bluntly.

His eyes hold mine, his expression softening. “Because you are.”

Wilder coughs, and when I glance over, I find that he’s trying to hide his smirk. Hendrix doesn’t bother trying to hide his curiosity; he looks between the two of us with a soft smile playing on his lips.

My mouth opens and closes, but no words appear.

What the hell do I say to that?

“You shouldn’t be here,” I eventually repeat.

“We should give you some space to talk,” Noelle says after returning with a can of soda for Kian.

It’s an unbranded can from our local store, but if Kian notices he doesn’t react. A smile twitches on my lips as he thanks her, cracks the top, and immediately takes a drink. He doesn’t so much as wince despite the fact that we all know just how awful it tastes. It’s just…it’s the best we can afford right now. Beggars can’t be choosers and all that.

“No,” Hendrix says, speaking for the first time. “I think we need to hear why Lorelei’s boss has come all this way.”

Kian startles. I can only imagine what he must be thinking right now.

“I’m sure they will explain. Come on,” Noelle says softly, grabbing the arm of Hendrix's shirt, ready to physically pull him away.

“No, it’s okay,” I say quickly. “We’ll go. You guys stay put.”

“Go?” Kian asks, lowering his can and staring up at me with hope and fear filling his eyes.

“I think we need to talk, don’t you?” I admit, my chest tight with my own anxiety over this situation. Plus, I really need to get him out of this trailer and away from here.

“Yeah,” he agrees, slowly rising to his feet. “Lead the way.”

My heart is in my throat as I spin around and march back toward the door.

I’m reaching for the handle when Hendrix speaks again.

“Hurt her, and we’ll come for you.”

Disbelief and a huge surge of love for my little brother rush through me.

My lips part to speak, but Kian beats me to it.

“I have no intention of hurting her. I’m here to hopefully do the opposite.”

“You care about her,” Wilder muses.

“More than she’s willing to believe.”

Oh my god.

Ohmygodohmygodohmygod.

“No offense, but we’re not going to take that at face value. We’re going to need solid evidence. We don’t trust just anyone with our big sister.”

The smile that spreads across my face is unstoppable, and it’s still firmly in position as I step out of the trailer and descend the rickety old steps that lead me to ground level.

“I like them,” Kian states behind me.

“They’re both a pain in the ass,” I say lightly.

“Anyone who protects you as fiercely as that is good with me.”

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