Page 32 of Killaney Fire

Keira glares at me. "What are you doing? You're embarrassing me."

"We're leaving."

I take Keira's hand and pull her toward the exit.

She doesn't resist, but I realize two things as my mind is spinning. I've never touched her like this, and the warmth from her hands is something, something?—

"Wait, I need to get my purse," she says, trying to tug her hand free, interrupting my thoughts. "I don't know where I left it."

"Here," I say and head to the chair she'd draped it over earlier, grab it, and hand it to her. "Take it."

"Oh." She says, grabbing it, surprise lighting up her face.

"Come on," I say, not acknowledging her gratitude.

We move quickly toward the elevators, my hand firm on her lower back. I hesitate to take her hand again.

As the doors open, I slide my hand into my jacket, resting it on my gun. Two women inside take one look at me and rush out.

Keira steps in, annoyed. "You want to tell me what the hell's going on?"

"We're leaving," I say as the doors close.

"Yeah, you said that, captain obvious, but why are we leaving?"

I don't answer. I don't want to scare her. Not yet anyway. I'm sure she'll see it when we get to the car.

As the elevator descends in silence, she crosses her arms and just stares at me with those green eyes.

"I swear to God, if you don't tell me, I'm not getting out of this elevator."

The doors slide open and I motion for her to step out.

She moves to the back corner instead, gripping the handrail.

Her jaw sets.

Stubborn.

Always so fucking stubborn.

I step toward her.

She tightens her grip on the rail, planting her feet.

"Keira. Out. Now."

She doesn't move. Just shakes her head.

"Tell me what's happening or I'm not moving."

I don't have time for this.

I close the distance, catching both her wrists and twisting just enough that her fingers release the bar.

“No, Octavian. Don’t!"

I lift her up and swing her over my shoulder in one smooth motion.