Page 32 of While He Breathes

“Just as I thought.” His lips tip up in an evil smirk.

The barrel of a gun appears against Lucas’s temple, and his grip on my throat tightens.

“Don’t celebrate too early, Trainer,” Killian says calmly. “Let her go.”

“She’s mine,” he snaps and squeezes so hard I can no longer drag in any kind of breath, setting my body into a panic.

“You and I both know she doesn’t want you to touch her, and I have no problem wiping your smug ass off the face of the earth.” Killian shrugs, his face calm and collected despite the tense situation he’s stepped into.

Lucas considers his options for long seconds, until his grip on my throat finally eases, and I drag in greedy breaths.

“This isn’t over, Ember. You will be my wife.”

“No, she won’t.” Killian steps between us, his body acting as a shield between me and Lucas. “But you already know that. You already know that if you so much as think about forcing her to marry you that you’ll have a target on your head and a bounty on your name. I suggest you drop this little infatuation if you know what’s good for you, because if I ever see you in the same proximity as Ember, I’ll fucking kill you.”

“Careful, Killian. I can out your boss any fucking time I please.”

His rough chuckle surprises me. Isn’t he worried that Lucas will tell the world who the Hunter truly is?

“You think anyone is going to believe you? You have no proof, and all the proof you think you have was handed to you by me, meaning it’s all bullshit. But you already know that, because Ember told you. None of the other idiots you ever set on us could tell their ass from their elbow.”

Wait a minute, how the hell does he know I worked out everything was false?

“Now, I suggest you crawl back into whatever hole you’ve been hiding in these past few months, because I know a certain someone who will take great pleasure in torturing you.”

There’s silence for a beat, the only sound around us the bustling city, and I hold my breath. This could escalate so easily, and I don’t want myself, or Max and Darius, caught in the crossfire.

Lucas leans to the side until his eyes meet mine over Killian’s shoulder. “I’ll see you soon, Ember.”

Without another word, Cain releases Max, and the two of them stride down the street as if they didn’t just threaten to kidnap me and kill my best friends.

As soon as they turn the corner, my body crumples, and Darius catches me, his arms wrapping around me until I’m pressed to his chest. “I’ve got you, babe. You’re safe.”

I nod as my entire body trembles. The adrenaline crash is going to be a bitch.

“Thank you, Killian,” I whisper.

He turns to face me, his eyes filled with concern. “You’re family, even if you’re in denial about it right now.” He looks around the street, his brows tugging together. “Where is Orion?”

That tugs a small laugh from my throat. “He’s getting a taste of his own medicine right now.”

A chuckle fills the space between us. “He really met his match when he met you.”

I shake my head, ignoring his comment. It’s like everyone around me thinks our reconciliation is a foregone conclusion, when in reality, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive him for what he’s done.

“We should get going. The jet will be waiting for us,” Max says quietly, and he throws an arm around both me and Darius.

“I’m sure I’ll see you soon.” Killian smirks before heading toward the hotel and disappearing inside.

“Let’s get out of here before he unties Orion,” I say quickly, earning me a laugh from both men.

“Time to go home,” Max says, and my heart aches. Because even though I’m desperate for it to be the case, I can’t help but wonder if Vegas will ever truly feel like home to me.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

ORION

Ihear Killian coming before he even gets into the suite, his smug laugh filling the hallway the closer he gets.