Page 57 of Ghost Of You
“Don’t test me,” I hiss, moving closer.
Before I can do anything, Laelia tightens her grip on my arm, her voice sharp. "Don’t," she pleads, but her father’s next move seals his fate.
He swings at me, a clumsy, drunken punch that I easily dodge. But that’s it. I’m done holding back. The next moment, my fist connects with his face, the impact sending him stumbling back. He crashes to the ground, the rain soaking him instantly as he tries to get up, blood trickling from his nose.
I pull my arm free from Laelia’s grip, not caring about the consequences anymore. I walk towards him, bare feet slapping against the wet ground as he scrambles to his feet, attempting to swing at me again. This time, I dodge easily and deliver another blow, my knuckles cracking against his jaw. Blood splatters from his mouth, speckling my chest, but I don’t care.
He crashes to the ground again, harder this time, and I crouch over him, grabbing him by the collar. His breath is ragged, his eyes wild with a mixture of pain and fear. He lifts a trembling fist, trying to land a punch, but the alcohol has finally taken its toll. There’s no strength left in him.
I headbutt him, the sound of his nose breaking sharp and sickening. Pain flares through my head, but it’s nothing compared to the satisfaction of seeing him completely subdued. Blood pours from his nose, mixing with the rain and mud.
“Killian!” Laelia’s voice cuts through the storm, desperate, but I barely register it. My focus is entirely on the man beneath me, the man who dared to come to our home and threaten her.
“You can get the fuck off our property,” I growl, my voice low and dangerous. “If I ever see you again, you’ll get more than just a broken fucking nose. If you ever talk to her again, I will huntyou down myself and hand your ass to the police. Do you hear me?”
Brian nods frantically, coughing as he spits out blood. He’s broken, both physically and mentally, and he knows I’m not bluffing.
“Now get the fuck out and never show your face here again.” I release him with a shove, standing up as he stumbles to his feet, slipping in the mud before he finally manages to start running down the path. He doesn’t look back, and I know he got the message.
I turn back to Laelia, who’s standing in the doorway, her arms wrapped around herself, trembling. The concern in her eyes as she looks at me, her gaze travelling from my bloodied knuckles to the bruise forming on my forehead, stirs something deep inside me. She rushes forward, grabbing my hand, her touch gentle despite the shaking in her fingers.
“Are you okay?” she asks, her voice thick with worry as she inspects my hand, then looks up at my head.
I cup her chin with my uninjured hand, lifting her gaze to meet mine. “Don’t worry, beautiful. It’ll heal. It doesn’t even hurt,” I lie, trying to reassure her. The pain in my hand and the pounding in my head are nothing compared to the relief of knowing Brian is gone.
“But if he ever comes back,” I continue, my voice hardening, “I promise you now, he’ll never walk again.”
She lifts my injured hand to her lips, pressing soft kisses to each bruised knuckle, her eyes never leaving mine. The gesture is so pure, so filled with love and concern, yet the fire in her gaze sends a rush of heat through me.
“Don’t give me that look,” I groan, feeling the tension between us shift into something else entirely.
“Why not?” she whispers, her voice teasing, yet laden with the same intensity I feel.
“Because, even after all that, you’re making me want to drag you back to bed and fuck you senseless.”
She smirks, knowing exactly what she’s doing to me. “Well, why don’t you then, hero?” she challenges, her voice dripping with desire.
Don’t have to tell me twice.
With a quick turn of the key, I make sure the door is locked, then I grab Laelia and toss her over my shoulder. She squeals in surprise, and I can’t help but grin as I smack her ass, earning a soft moan that sends a shiver of anticipation through me.
“Save those moans for when you’re screaming my name,” I say, my voice low and thick with lust.
“There’s no doubt about that,” she giggles, her voice sweet but taunting, and I know I’m about to make her forget everything that just happened.
As I carry her up the stairs, her laughter mixing with the fading sound of rain, I know one thing for sure: if Brian ever shows his face again, he’ll either end up in a body bag or behind bars. Laelia is mine, and I will protect what’s mine with everything I have. End of.
Chapter thirty
Present
Watching Brian sway unsteadily, I glance back at Ethan and the girls, then at Brian, who now looks like he’s ready to erupt. I'd like to see him try to take a swing at me—he won’t even make it halfway before he’s on the floor. I’ve no doubt that if he tried, he’d be flattened before he could even make contact.
Brian’s not the type to back down easily. He’s one of those people who revels in pushing boundaries and insisting he’s right, even when it’s clear as day that he’s wrong. You could have a loaded gun pointed at him, and he’d still argue he’s in the right. His stubbornness isn’t just frustrating; it’s downright delusional.
He had so many opportunities to change his ways for her sake, but he chose to follow the path of self-destruction. Instead of embracing the chance to have a loving relationship with his daughter and a life filled with joy, he’s sunk into a dark abyss of drinking and drug abuse. He could have had a life full of beauty and happiness if only he’d opened his eyes and made different choices.
“Listen,” I start, steeling myself for a conversation I’d much rather avoid. It’s hard to believe I’m actually standing here talking to him instead of tossing him into the street like the rat he is. “You’re the one who’s wrecked your relationship with her, not me. You had your chance and you blew it. If I were you, I’d leave and go back to wherever you’re wanted because you’re not welcome here by any of us, especially not by Laelia.”