Page 69 of Hush (Fighting Fate)

“I think you might be missing the fact that I was there, asswipe,” he growled. “I heard everything that scum said, and I was the one who put a bullet in his brain.”

Comprehension dawned in Aaron’s eyes, and I was sure I saw fear flicker in them briefly.

“And what about the five G’s you were jumped for,” Ken spat at Aaron. “Were you behind that as well?”

When Aaron didn’t even try to answer, we all had our answer. Ken’s expression shut down, but I could still see the murderous hatred deep in his eyes.

“If he doesn’t kill you, you’re going to get the fuck out of my house. You’re no longer welcome.” Turning to me, he pinned me with a death glare, making me automatically take a step back. “Where’s the bag?”

I swallowed, looking back at the car.

Without another word, he strode away, grabbing the bag out of the car and disappearing inside. My boy shoved away from Aaron, letting him drop to the ground before issuing a warning in the scariest assed voice I’d ever heard.

“If yo

u come anywhere near Kaeli, or I hear about you sending anyone after her again, I will rip you limb from limb, and I will enjoy every fucking minute of it. Is that clear?”

Aaron bent over and coughed loudly, holding his throat with both hands. He nodded pathetically.

“Say it!”

“Yes!” Aaron bit out, his voice rough and barely audible. “It’s fucking clear!”

“Good. Now do what you father said and get the fuck out of here.”

I watched Aaron pick himself up and stagger away, still holding his throat. My boy strode over to me, grabbing my hand, and started leading me towards the house, mumbling something about me not being safe and needing protection at home as well as at school. I didn’t think he even realized what he was saying, but it only reaffirmed that I could trust him.

When we got to the front porch, he pulled me around so we were standing face to face. He watched me for a long time, just letting his eyes travel over my face.

“I fucking hate having to leave you here,” he said quietly.

I swallowed. I wasn’t used to his honesty. “I’ll be okay. I’ll make sure I keep my eyes open.”

His jaw clenched a little and he nodded. “Text me if anything happens.”

I wanted to lighten the mood a little so I forced a grin on my lips. “Anything?”

He watched me for a second, and I could see he was trying to lighten up, but it didn’t happen. His worry was too real. He sighed. “Please be careful.”

“I will,” I whispered.

He nodded and went to step away, but paused. “Uh…about last night…”

I probably should’ve stopped him from having to say anything, but I genuinely wanted to know where he thought we stood.

“I just want you to know how much that meant to me. How much you mean to me.”

“And that is…?”

He inhaled slow and deep. “More than my own life.”

It was words like that that made people fall in love.

With that, he turned and walked away.

***

It was hard to get myself motivated for school the following morning. Besides the fact that Mondays sucked royally anyway, nothing seemed less important after having someone try to kill me. I just wanted to find my boy and spend another day locked away from it all, with him doing everything he could to make me forget it all.

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