Page 158 of Where Broken Wings Fly

“You think we’d let that happen?”

“I think that if push came to shove, none of us would have a choice. In the eyes of the law, I’ve kidnapped Arianna and taken her from her father.”

Rage wraps around my throat. “That is such crap!”

“It’s how the system works. If we were caught, or if I stepped into the limelight to accuse him of anything, we’d be running the risk of her being taken away from me.”

Before I can argue against her shitty logic, the back door is wrenched open. Killian grabs hold of Willow and yanks her out. He quickly puts her back on her feet and I follow them outside.

“Goddammit, Willow,” he bellows.

“Don’t touch me like that!”

“I’m angry, for fuck’s sake.”

She shoves him away. “Do that again and I’ll be breaking your wrist instead.”

“Every time we’ve tried to get close, you’ve been protecting this scumbag, after he spent the last decade beating the hell out of you and threatening his own fucking daughter.”

“I was protecting Arianna, not him.”

“That makes no damn sense.”

Reaching out with a trembling hand, she cups his cheek, despite the fire and brimstone burning in his eyes. I wouldn’t get within a metre of him when he’s like this, but she has no fear. He isn’t the monster she’s running from.

“Arianna is my whole life. I can’t risk anything ever happening to her. I’m her mother, and it’s my job to protect her, no matter what. That’s why I ran and kept these secrets.”

“And what about us?” he yells.

“If Mr Sanchez comes looking for me and Arianna, he’ll take down anyone who stands in his way. I can’t run the risk of that happening because… because…”

“Because?”

“Because I love you, alright?” She loses her patience. “All three of you. I’d do anything to keep you safe, even if it means tearing myself apart every time I lie and pretend like I don’t love you all to death.”

We both freeze.

Killian blinks, silenced.

“You’ve belonged to us since the moment we met.” He licks his lips. “You don’t need to lie to us anymore. Let us help. Let us keep you safe. You’re our family.”

The terror begins to clear from her face, replaced by something else. Her entire posture changes—softening, leaning towards his embrace, needing to be held.

“I’ve never had anyone to rely on.”

“That ends now,” he says firmly.

Killian captures her lips in a passionate kiss, and I step forwards to trap her from behind. Securing my lips to her neck, I suckle on the soft skin, leaving a satisfying purple mark. Just feeling her in my arms gives me the relief I need.

Breaking their kiss, Willow turns her head slightly to the side so her lips can seek mine out next. I grip her jaw and kiss her back, frantic and hungry, needing answers to all the chaos threatening to tear us apart.

But I don’t need answers. Not really. I don’t need anything but her presence in my life. She makes our broken family whole again in ways I never thought were possible.

“Zach,” she moans.

“I know, baby. I’m here.”

“I was so fucking scared.”

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