Page 152 of Where Broken Wings Fly

“Katie really had no idea who you are?” Killian asks next.

“I don’t think so.” I sigh. “She kept staring at me, but I think I just threw her off. Lola came over to apologise a couple of days ago. She hasn’t revealed my identity to Katie.”

His thick brows draw together. “Why?”

“She’s giving Willow the chance to do it,” Zach guesses. “Lola cares about you, enough to lie to one of her closest friends. She’s buying you more time to figure stuff out.”

Despite my behaviour in recent weeks, Lola is still doing her best to look out for me. That must count for something. Many people would’ve simply given up on ever having a relationship with me and let the resentment grow.

“I’ve never had real parents or grandparents.” I stare into my milky coffee. “No one ever looked out for me. I’m not sure I know how to recognise or appreciate it.”

“Willow… she loves you,” Zach points out. “A hell of a lot. She’s made some serious mistakes, but that doesn’t change the fact that she refuses to abandon you.”

“Shit. You’re right. I should really apologise to her.”

“She did lie to you,” Killian supplies. “Maybe don’t go that far.”

Zach cuts him a warning look. “She lied for the right reasons. Lola is one of the most kind-hearted people I know. Everything she does is for the good of Briar Valley.”

At that, Killian backs off. “True. Her and Pops saved all of us.”

“I’ll talk to her,” I concede. “But what about Katie?”

“Do you want a relationship with her?” Zach prods.

“I don’t know the answer to that question.”

Killian snatches my hand from across the table. “Then we figure out the answer together. There’s no rush. She doesn’t need to know that you’re here.”

“Really?”

“Of course. You can take some time to figure out how you feel.”

Nodding, I squeeze his huge paw tight. “Thank you both for being here. I realise I’m a hot mess at the best of times. You’ve stuck by me through a lot of shit.”

“Emphasis on the hot,” Zach adds.

Killian smacks him upside the head. “Zip it, Romeo.”

Our food arrives, offering a needed reprieve from the emotions twisting my gut. A stack of plates encircles them both and they dig in, shoving huge forkfuls of eggs and bacon into their mouths. I tackle the omelette with less enthusiasm.

“Maybe hot mess could be your new nickname,” Zach wonders, gulping his coffee down around a mouthful. “I’m willing to trade out the mama part.”

I brush my lips against his ear. “Call me that again, and I swear, I’ll murder you in your sleep. Killian already explained how to dismember your body in great detail.”

“Was this before or after he taught you how to break my wrist?”

“After,” the brute in question answers. “I’ll even throw in a free body disposal service to say thank you for getting rid of him. My fucking pleasure.”

Zach rolls his eyes. “You both love me far too much to murder me. Who would keep you entertained?”

“It’d be a hell of a lot quieter,” Killian grunts.

After a beat of silence, we all burst into laughter. Loud enough to startle the customers in the booth behind us, and the unnerved waiter who gives us a weird look.

Clearly, my time in the wilderness has made me as uncivilised as the guys. I couldn't care less about how insane we are. I’ve got the family I always wanted right here.

CHAPTER 29

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