Page 61 of Relentless Knight

My stomach knots painfully as my skin lights on fire with the memory of what Natasha could be enduring. I start to tremble as I realize that my worst fears are coming to life right here. Right now. Everyone I love will be going to war for Natasha—and they might not all come home. But if they don’t help her, she might never come home. And I know without a doubt that losing her would destroy my brother. So all I can do is wait and pray that they all come back to me safely.

Tatiana quickly wraps up her phone call and returns her attention to the conversation at hand. And while my mind is reeling, she seems to be tracking each thread of this convoluted knot without batting an eyelash.

“He won’t hurt her,” she says calmly, confidently.

“You don’t know that,” Killian growls, and I can see how close he is to losing it. He’s always been a live wire, ready to snap at a moment’s notice. Usually, that comes out in his mischievousness. But today, I can see it’s what’s going to obliterate him if he can’t reel his emotions back in.

“I do,” Tatiana says softly, grasping Killian’s forearm. “Because he knows how much we care for her. And he knows that if he does hurt her, we will stop at nothing to crush him. Lucian is hoping that he can make a deal, and by returning her safely to us, that means we will uphold our end of the bargain as well.”

My brother swallows convulsively, his gaze dropping to the floor as he shakes his head. “I’ve underestimated Lucian for the last time,” he rasps. “I failed to protect your father. I failed to protect your sister. I won’t make the same mistake again.”

Heart shattering, I bite back a sob as I stand by, watching Killian’s world fall apart. And all I am is a spectator. Because these aren’t physical wounds I can stitch up with a needle and thread.

“We’ve both made mistakes, Killian,” Tatiana says. “We’ve both underestimated him. But in this one regard, I know I’m right. If he’s going to hurt Natasha, he’s going to make sure the guilt lands squarely on my shoulders. He wants me to know that I have the power to save her, so if she dies, her blood will be on my hands. Not his.”

I’m impressed by both Tatiana’s logic and the level of compassion in her delivery. And while the world seems like it’s quickly unraveling, I’m amazed at just how well Tatiana thrives in this role.Thisis why she should lead her father’s men. Because while my brother is losing his ever-loving mind over the woman he married, Tatiana is somehow keeping a cool head.

“Call your men. Have them stagger their arrivals. Give the message to half of them. They can pass it along to the other half before going to meet up with my men. It won’t take more than a few hours for everyone to learn the plan.” Tatiana glances down at her delicate gold watch. “It’s almost eight now. Even with that delay, we should be able to have everyone in place before noon.And that will put us at Lucian’s front door a full six hours before his deadline.”

Taking what seems like the first deep breath in hours, Killian nods and gets to work. Tatiana gets on the phone once more as well.

And suddenly, I find myself standing across the room from Lance—all alone with him and yet unable to run into his arms to seek comfort. Cruel tears blur my vision at the thought of losing him.

Because he and I both know that in a fight this size, not everyone will make it out alive.

God, I hate this so much. It feels like no matter which direction I turn, I’m going to lose someone I care about. And there’s nothing I can do about it. Just sit here and wait with a needle and thread, hoping I can fix whatever broken pieces return to me.

Soft warmth radiates from Lance’s deep-sea eyes, and he tips his head subtly, signaling for me to follow him so we can meet in secret before he goes.

31

LANCE

Idon’t know when Quinn woke up or how much she heard, but from the fear shimmering in her eyes, I know she heard enough. And it breaks my heart to see her look so hopeless.

I know it’s risky to speak to her now.

The last thing Killian needs is to walk in on us behaving like a couple.

But I can’t leave this house without knowing she’s going to be okay.

I need one more kiss, one more moment to breathe her in so I can take her with me in my heart. And as soon as she steps inside the library doors, I pull her into my arms.

She gasps, her hands grasping my biceps as I seal our lips with a passionate kiss. And she melts into me, her arms slowly snaking around my neck so she can kiss me back. I love the sweet taste of her lips, the hint of salt on her tongue from the tears she must be holding back, and my heart swells to bursting as I savor the feeling of holding Quinn close.

Her tongue is just as adamant, her kiss just as desperate as she clings to me. And though I know she’s trying to hold it together, I can feel she’s trembling.

“Talk to me, Quinn,” I murmur, finally breaking our kiss because I can’t handle the silence any longer.

“I don’t want you to go,” she breathes, and a slow tear escapes her eye with the confession. “I know that’s selfish and that Killian needs you and if you don’t go, he’s less likely to come home. But that doesn’t make it any easier. I just hate it. I hate it all—the fighting, the danger, the thought that you or Killian or Natasha might not come home. I don’t want anyone to die, and I don’t understand why this is even happening.”

“Sweet, kind, loving,goodgirl,” I breathe, stroking a tear from her cheek in a futile attempt to soothe her. “You shouldn’t have to understand. But this is the brutality of the world Killian and I live in. Lucian isn’t some special breed of monster brought from the darkest pits of hell. He’s just another power-hungry prick who’s willing to watch others suffer in his claim for more power.”

Quinn shakes her head, the tears coming faster. “You and Killian arenotlike Lucian,” she insists. “You might exist in the same world. But you’re good men. And he’s pure evil.”

God, I love Quinn for believing I’m that kind of hero. But I’m not. I’ve hurt plenty of people. I’ve killed countless men to help raise the King family to a higher power.

“Good is a matter of perspective. I try to be good for the people I care about. I will always try to be good to you. But this is why Killian and your father wanted a better life for you. Because you’re capable of so much more than what our world has to offer. Youaregood, Quinn King. And I don’t want this world to drag you down with it any more than they do.”

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