Page 8 of Legacy
I whirled on him, letting out a small croak to find him so close that I had to steady myself with my hands on his chest. What felt like electricity flowed through me, jolting me back.
“Move on?” I hissed, tilting my face up to meet his eyes. Why did he have to be so tall? So imposing? It was hard to be fierce when he was so menacing without even trying.
“You haven’t moved on Legacy. You still send the flowers every year. You’re the one stuck in the past, not me. I had no choice but to live. No one else would have been there for Conner.”
A shadow passed across his face. Ruffling his hair with his hand, he blew out a breath. “I know Kate. I just wanted you to know that I was thinking of you, that's all. That I hadn’t forgotten.”
“We would have preferred you were here in person,” I whispered.
The shadow that darkened his face was replaced by pain. “I know. But I’m here now.”
I stared at him. “I don’t think there’s anything you can do, Legacy. I don’t think there’s anything anyone can do.”
I didn’t mean to sound weak and teary all of a sudden, but I couldn’t help it. It was easier to keep a hold of the tears when I was angry. But it was impossible to stay angry with him. Mostly because I knew why he hadn’t come around after the funeral. It was too painful. It would have been painful for me as well. If I could have run away, I would have.
“I won’t let them get their claws into Conner.”
Legacy stared at me for a second, almost like he was thinking over his options. He didn’t realise yet that he didn’t have any options. This was my life. Mine and Conner’s. He didn’t have a say in it.
“I’ll deal with it,” he said finally. “And I’ll keep an eye on the pair of you until the problem is resolved.”
“You don't even know what’s gone on.”
What was with this guy? He couldn’t seem to grasp that he couldn’t just come waltzing back into our lives and take over.
“Conner filled me in on what he knew.” Legacy’s voice dropped to a whisper. “And I know the Hunter’s reputation. I know how they operate.” For a second, he closed his eyes, only to snap them open and spear me into place. “So I’ll ask again, how hurt are you?” His chest heaved, and his voice was strong, but there was something behind it, the slightest tremble. “Do you need to go to the hospital to get checked out?”
“I’m not badly hurt, Legacy. I don’t want to go to the hospital.”
“The club can get a doctor for you, if…if you…” He cleared his throat.
He was asking if I’d been raped, but he didn’t want to say the actual words. Without meaning to, I reached out and pressed my hand to his chest. The leather of his cut was warm under my fingers.
“It didn’t go that far, Legacy. I’m fine.”
Emotions warred across his face before settling on something I couldn't quite read. It looked a lot like guilt. “Not that far? So he did something, didn't he?”
“It doesn’t matter; I fought back. Look, I don’t want you to go running off starting wars for me. I’ll manage this, somehow.”
A smile twitched the corners of his mouth. “What do you know about war, Kate?”
Deadpan, I stared at him. “Other than my husband died in one?”
His grin disappeared totally. “I guess I deserved that.” Suddenly, his arm was around me, pulling me in for a hug that crushed my already bruised ribs. I winced, but it felt good to be held. Hesitating only a second, I curled my arms around his waist.
“I’ve missed you, Kate. I’ve missed Conner as well.” Legacy’s lips pressed to the top of my hair.
“Kate?”
Untangling myself from Legacy’s arms, I turned to Conner. There was no accusation in the boy's eyes, but I felt guilty anyway. Even if the hug was totally innocent.
“It’s okay.” I reached out my hand to him, and he took it instantly. I pulled him in for a hug of his own. Something he rarely allowed me to do these days. “I’m not mad anymore.”
Conner bit his lip, looking sheepish. “Is the offer for a takeaway still there? I’m starving.”
I couldn’t help laughing. Side eyeing Legacy, I shook my head. Of course, he was still hungry. Teenage boys were always hungry. Not even a life and death situation would stop that.
Reaching out, Legacy ruffled Conner’s hair. “My treat. You just let me know what you want and I’ll go and get it.”
