Page 116 of Just Between Us
Kai shakes his head. “I can’t. He said he would hurt you if I got the police involved and if I didn't give him that money. Levi is already hurt, and he could target you. Kenny is dangerous and he knows people who are way worse. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if something happened to either of you.”
He is right.
But whilst Kenny might be dangerous, I could be so much worse. Right now, I want to watch him burn. I want to cut him open and let him watch as his own guts spill to the floor.
“You never have to worry about any of that. My job is to protect you and Levi with everything I have. I hate myself because I couldn’t do that today, but I won’t fail again.” I let him go and kiss him hard, so he believes me. “I love you so much, Kai.”
He breaks away, lips parted. “You do?”
And I realise it’s true. It’s been true for a while.
“You look surprised.”
Kai shakes his head. “I just never thought this is where we’d end up.”
Falling in love with Kai was not part of the plan. I didn’t even think I was capable of falling for him but slowly, he weaved his way through me until he was completely embedded in my skin.
“Honestly me neither. I’ve always considered Levi to be the centre of my universe and I’m just in orbit. Somehow, and so quickly, you have become my centre too. You rule me, Kai, and whatever you want me to do, I’ll do it. I’ll be your lover, your personal executioner, your heaven, and your home, for as long as you let me.”
Tears well in his eyes again and I feel mine grow misty as well. He pulls me in, hugging me so tightly I can barely breathe against his neck. I breathe in his scent. He smells just like us.
“I love you too, Cole. I love trusting you with everything I am and have. I love being yours,” he whispers. “I love you both. So, so much.”
And for a second, everything feels like it’s going to be okay.
A doctor appears in the waiting area just as we make it back upstairs. “Are you Levi Bellamy’s family?” she asks
“We are,” Raina says, standing. Her face is still stained with tears.
“I’m Doctor Amy Green,” she says. “I’m overseeing Levi’s treatment. It appears he was drugged with a mixture of Ketamine, and Rohypnol. His body had an acute reaction to the Rohypnol which is what led to the seizure. We managed to pump his stomach and gave him something to combat the drugs already flowing in his bloodstream which means he will be just fine.”
Relief floods through me just as Kai sags against my body.
“We would like to keep him overnight for observation, but he will make a quick recovery,” Doctor Green finishes.
“Oh, Jesus, thank you,” Anant whispers.
“Can we see him?” I ask.
Doctor Green gives me a thin smile. “Of course. He’s asleep right now so maybe you can all go in very quietly and wait for him to wake up.”
I hold Kai closely as we enter the room, and something seizes inside me when my eyes land on Levi. He’s lying on the bed, a catheter stuck in his arm, pumping in a clear liquid. A nasal cannula sits snuggly under his nose. He looks alarmingly pale, so far from his usual colour and it makes my stomach roll, but his chest is moving up and down and he looks peaceful.
He’s alive.
He’ll be fine.
Anger and relief swirl through me all at once and I’m not sure which to focus on. Raina sobs quietly in Oliver’s arms. I know this scene is all too familiar for her.
“Let’s give Cole and Kai some time with Levi?” Oliver says.
I give him a grateful smile as he ushers Kez, Anant and Raina out.
Kai holds onto me for a while, and I feel his heartbeat settle into a rhythm with mine. Levi will be okay, so will Kai and soon, I’ll take them away from all of this. I let Adam go the first time. I won’t do the same with him or Kenny this time.
Chapter Thirty-Two: Cole
The steady beeping of the machines hooked up to Levi is the only sound that fills the room. It’s past midnight now and we’ve had Levi moved to a private ward. He’s still not awake but the nurse says he’s stable and his vitals are perfect, he just needs a few more hours.