Page 11 of Relentless Knight

Again, I give a curt nod. Then I turn and open the door.

And come face-to-face with Killian.

Surprise registers in his eyes, and his head jerks back as he takes in my freshly showered appearance, the towel wrapped around my waist. And for the first time, I get a glimpse of what it would look like to be on the receiving end of his ire.

“What the hell are you doing half-naked in Quinn’s room?” he demands.

6

QUINN

If looks could kill, Lance would have dropped dead at my threshold. Because Killian is scowling at him like he just farted in my brother’s Cheerios. Heat floods my cheeks at the unexpectedly awkward moment. And from the look on Killian’s face, I can confirm what I’ve always suspected—that he would not approve of me and Lance together.

Not that I thought for a moment that it would become a real possibility.

I know Lance doesn’t think of me that way.

But I need to intercede before things go sideways, so I rush forward to step between them.

“It’s my fault,” I insist, placing my palms on my brother’s chest as I try to refocus his attention on me.

And it works. His eyes snap down to meet mine, his expression thunderous but far less deadly.

“Lance was being an idiot and busted his stitches working out,” I explain, rolling my eyes and exaggerating my tone in an attempt to bring some levity to the situation. “He was all sweaty and gross, so I made him shower before I put him back together.No point in stitching him up if the wound’s just going to get infected.”

Killian’s expression softens slightly, the tension releasing from his shoulders. And the fire calms in his green eyes until they’re closer to their normal spark of mischief.

But my mouth keeps running because I just can’t seem to help myself. “You know, I should disown the both of you for being so reckless. Seriously, I can’t go a single day without having to patch one or the other of you up. One of these days, I’m going to make you learn how to suture yourselves so I can put my time to better use helping patients who have reasonable survival instincts—or any at all, really. Patients who don’t need constant attention.”

Killian laughs and pulls me into a protective side hug so I’m facing Lance once more. “Oh, come on. You’d miss it if you couldn’t use us as your pincushions,” he chides.

Lance releases a low chuckle that makes my stomach somersault, and his impossibly blue eyes meet mine for just a moment. Then he turns his attention back to Killian. “I’ll go change. Then I’m ready to get to work.”

Killian jerks his chin in a single nod of silent agreement, and Lance slips past me, gym shorts balled in one hand, his other firmly holding the towel around his waist closed. And though his broad shoulders and muscular back draw my eyes, I rip them away because I don’t want Killian to catch me ogling our foster brother.

“I’m heading into town for a bit of shopping today,” I announce, looking for any excuse to get past the uncomfortable situation.

Killian frowns, his arm slipping from around my shoulders as he turns to face me. “I’d rather you stay inside the grounds until things settle down with the Italians.”

“I’m not going to put my life on pause over every squabble you get involved in,” I insist, crossing my arms. “I’d never earn my degree if I stopped leaving the house whenever you pissed someone off.”

Killian chuckles and tips his head from side to side. “Fair point well made. At least take a guard. This conflict with the Italians puts us all at risk right now.”

I roll my eyes. “Don’t be silly. You’re being too overprotective. Areyoutaking a guard?” I demand.

“I have Lance. I don’t need one.”

“Well, I’m meeting up with some friends, so I won’t be alone. And we’ll be in a public place,” I point out, crossing my arms.

Besides, what are the odds anyone from the Italian mafia would recognize me randomly on the street anyway?It’s not like I have anything to do with the family business. I know better than to say it, but sometimes, I think Killian is too overbearing. No doubt he learned it from our father. Dad was always so concerned with shielding me from their world and ensuring my safety.

It’s probably why I’m still a virgin. No guy wants to approach a girl when she has a scowling bodyguard glaring daggers at anyone who looks her way. It took me all of freshman year at college to convince Killian I didn’t need a bodyguard around campus. And I’ve been walking from class to class without a problem for years now.

I don’t need someone to babysit me in a mall.

But my brother’s look of disapproval tells me that he’s not letting me off that easy.

“I’ll have a driver drop me off, okay?” I compromise. “But I’m twenty-three, Killian. I don’t need a chaperone anymore.”

---