She calmed down considerably. The sight of her in his arms, the tender way he rocked her back and forth, showed a side he kept hidden. He was seldom vulnerable with women, hadn’t been in years. Mother, and occasionally Isabella, were the only two exceptions.
Truth be told, none of us allowed anyone close enough to penetrate our shells. Marcel was the one who wore his heart on his sleeve. Often it extended to his clients, but he always maintained that healthy client-patient boundary.
I quickly sent Marcel an updated text to let him know she was safe. Her words came back to me. Something told me it was deeper than just ramblings of a frightened woman. Franklin and I stepped to the side, and he motioned for the fire chief to join us in a more private corner, out of earshot.
I directed my words to the fire chief. “I’m taking her home with us.”
His brow furrowed in concern as he crossed his arms. He sighed, understanding almost immediately that I had Franklin’s support already.
“I don’t know. Smoke inhalation is no joke. If she has issues later…it might be best for her to stay at the hospital for observation for the night, at the very least.”
“He’s discussed it with paramedics, and her lungs are clear. She managed to get out in time. Plus, he knows what to look for.” Franklin came to my defense, only solidifying the inevitable. She was coming home with us.
“Look. I know there is more to this, and I need to find out what exactly that is. She’s stubborn, but given the circumstances, I know it’s the safest option. She needs protection, and we can provide it.”
Franklin was aware of our involvement with Kinsley, but this man wasn’t. The fire chief studied me for a moment, his eyes searching mine for any hint of uncertainty. He sighed and gave a reluctant nod.
“All right, but make sure you take care of her. I’ll be by in a few days to take an official statement and check on her.”
“Absolutely,” I assured him, feeling a sense of relief. “Franklin can give you the address and my cell.”
He grabbed my arm as I went to walk away. “What really happened here tonight?”
“A few possibilities. Although I do believe the fire was an accident. Something spooked her, and she panicked. My brothers and I have an open investigation into her. We think she was being cased. It has been mostly quiet, though, on that front.”
“It usually is, until it isn’t. I trust you will keep all of us updated,” Franklin interjected.
“I will.” I clasped him on the back, thankful for the connections we’d built here.
My eyes drifted once more to her and Nik. The package was the catalyst for this fiasco, this much I knew. Anger rippled through me as the contents of the box flashed through my mind. We needed to get her home—needed to clean her up and get her into bed. Because despite the blanket wrapped around her, she was shivering.
“Kitten, you’re coming with us.” I didn’t wait for her to answer. Stealing her from Nik, I scooped her up in my arms and walked toward the car. For once, she didn’t fight.
Two minutes after we pulled away from the house, she unbuckled her seat belt and climbed into my lap. Gut-wrenching sobs ripped from her throat, and all I could do was hold her.
I alternated between kissing the top of her head and speaking soothing words in her ear while rubbing her back. After a few minutes, she gave in and fell asleep.
When we pulled up to our house, I tried to wake her, but she was out. Her deep, even breathing reminded me of the night I’d broken into her house. Marcel was right; she’d probably taken one of her pills.
I carried her inside, and Ivan dashed straight to his room. Seeing Kinsley so distraught had triggered him. It was obvious in his haunted eyes.
With Ivan gone and Kinsley still passed out in my arms, I turned to Nik. “Come with me. She takes sleeping pills, so she’s probably going to be in and out. I need help to get her cleaned up and into bed.”
He nodded but stayed quiet. Taking her from me, he cradled her in his arms.
“Nikolai King, your eyes are not dancing,” Kinsley murmured, taking me by surprise.
“I’m sorry, baby, but I’m glad you’re awake. You’re covered in soot. We need to get you clean.” Nik flashed me a half grin.
“I’ll never be clean. Never,” she mumbled, snuggling into him.
“Sure you will. Alek and I are going to have to help you, though. Did you take something tonight?”
She nodded, closing her eyes again.
“Kitten, I’m going to need you to wake up for a bit, okay?” Steam billowed from the open shower door as the water pelted the tile floor.
“I’m sleepy.” She laid her head back down on Nik’s shoulder.
