Chapter 67
KYLAN’S POV
It was a weird form of torture, being next to Katrina on the plane, watching her try and cope with her fight anxiety by herself. Kylan wanted to touch her, to comfort her, but he knew he had no right to
He knew his touch, his comfort, was likely the last thing Katrina wanted from him. He felt helpless, Helpless and more trapped than even the plane was making his assistant feel
The trony between the night before and now was incredible. Not twenty–four hours ago, he hæl been inside this woman. Caressing her, Bringing her to the brink of incredible pleasure. And now he couldn’t bring himself to talk to her.
It was pathetic. He was pathetic.
It was seven hours of quiet hell, being next to Katrina while Kylan pretended to pay attention to different documents on his laptop. Anxiety rolled off her in waves, clouding up the space and nearly sufling Kylan.
During the last hour before landing in New York, Kylan managed to loosen the chain around his neck a miniscule amount.
“One hour left. Would you like me to order you a drink?” he murmured to Katrina, unable to help himself any longer.
“I can order my own drink if I need it, thank you,” Katrina responded curdy.
Kylan worked to keep his face neutral and smooth like he always did. He didn’t respond to her, allowing her the space to be again.
He didn’t blame her. He wouldn’t want to talk to him right now, either.
Upon landing in New York City, Kylan handled the luggage on the way to Oscar. It was snowing outside, the mid–December weather out in force. It was not unlike how Kylan himself was feeling right now.
Full
With Katrina beside him, they walked to their driver. At the sight of him, Katrina picked up her pace and hugged him tightly the moment she reached him
concem, the love
“Chear, how are you? You must be freezing out here. Are you alright? You look pale. We should have called a taxi.” Katrina’s open co lacing her tone, nearly caused Kylan to melt. She was so good. So kind. So much the opposite of himself.
fine. Sweet Girl Are you okay? You’re home early” Kylan could feel Oscar looking between the pair of them, and he averted his own gaze
“W–we are. It. Ireland just wasn’t. What we thought it would be. Enough about that. Let’s get going so you can go to bed. And please, drive me to. my aparment.” Karrina’s voice was strained, and it was harder for Kylan not to look at her.
“Right. Okay. In you go, then Oscar opened the door for them, his eyes fixed solely on Kylan now.
The drive to Katrina’s apartment was silent, filled with unaddressed tension. Upon arriving, Kylan didn’t know if he should help her up to her
apartment or not.
“Would you…. I can help you” he offered a bit awkwardly
“No
that’s okay. Sir. I’ve got it” Katrina wasn’t looking at him, hurrying to leave the car.
TIL. When you get back. I’ll see you.” God, he wanted to beg her to stay. To beg her to listen to what he couldn’t say, but so completely wanted to.
“Goodnight, Sir.” Katrina took the suitcase Oscar gave her and Kylan watched her disappear into her building a moment later, her hair blowing in the wind and swirling snow
Oscar shifted into the car and Rylan closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose and sighing heavily
“What did you do, Kylan?” Oscar’s clipped to pulled him back in reality.
Kylan clenched his jaw, his hands balling into fists on his lap. “Drive, Oscar” was all he said in reply.
“I’ll drive only
f you tell me what the hell happened in hoeland. That girl. Katrina. She’s special, Kylan. Special. Do you understand what m laying?” Oxcar wouldn’t relent
This was most unlike his driver. He never guli
of involved. Never said anything out of line. It was the very reason he had been kylan’s driver from the beginning. Kylan was silent, not having any idea what he should say. What he could say, yet agam
“I f*cked up. She’s going to visit her dad for a week. That seemed okay. It didn’t tell Oscar everything, but it gave him enough. Right?
Oxcar laughed from the front seat. A cold, bitter laugh. “That girl is head over heels for you, Sir. She’s completely devoted to you. Do you understand that? Do you know how lucky you are! You’re going to ruin it if you’re not careful. You’ll have no one to blaine but yourself, either
7:59 PM
Chapter 67
Oscar was right. Of course, he was. Kylan knew he was. He was lucky. And he didn’t earn any of it. The shadows in his mind would never allow h to forget that
“Your job is to be my dryer, not to interfere in my personal life, Oscar. Do not forget your place here,” Rylan snapped at him. He regretted it instantly, of course, but he couldn’t take it back. He didn’t know how. He didn’t think he would be able to
interactions
“She is the best thing that’s ever happened to you, Kylan. Don’t pretend like she doesn’t matter to you. I’ve been privy to a lot of your with her over the years, especially over the last two and a half months, I know that- Oscar was cut off by a violent rough suddenly passing through
ham.
Kylan’s eyes narrowed on his driver. “Did you get your test results, Oscar?” he asked him quietly.
Oscar cleared his throat, adjusting his shirt collar. “They did more tests on my throat, not just my actual thyroid. His voice was hoarse now. “It’s They diagnosed me. He avoided Kylan’s gaze in the rearview mirror.
“What is it?” Kylan demanded, not certain he wanted to hear the answer when he already felt close to spiraling.
I have a It’s my
thyroid. Well, it’s cancer. They’re going to do a partial thyroidectomy and radiation therapy.” Oscar looked visibly pale, even in the low light of the moonlight filtering in through the windows of the car.
Cancer. Cancer. Oscar was sick. Very sick.
was cold. Impossibly cold.
“Katrina Does Katrina know?” Kylan’s voice was but a whisper, entirely unable to speak any louder. He was
Death. More impending death. Everyone left him. Everyone.
“No, she has no idea. I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t tell her, either. I want to be the one to do that. The good news is, they caught it early. I have a very high chance of beating this thing.” Oscar stopped in front of Kylan’s building, but neither man made to get out of the SUV
I realize I’m a damn hypocrite for saying this to you, but you need to talk to Katrina. You’re a second father to her, that much even I can see Kylan was on the verge of breaking, cracking in front of Oscar, and he couldn’t do that.
“I’ll talk to her if you talk to her, Oscar responded evenly.
Rylan rolled his eyes and stepped out of the car, opening the trunk, and swiftly removing his own suitcase. “Let me know what time off you’ll need. Ross Corporation will accommodate you,” he told Oscar, who had come to help him with his luggage
“Kylan, it’s none of my business, but I know you care about Katrina. I also know how closed off you are after everything you’ve been through. Maybe you should go to that therapist Ryan recommended a while ago. It might help you.” Oscar looked visibly uncomfortable, talking to Kylan the way he was
Kylan averted his gaze to scowl at the ground instead. “Take care of yourself, Oscar he replied through clenched teeth, grabbing the handle of his suitcase and turning to walk into his building.
It took every ounce of restraint that Kylan had, not to run inside and away
from Oscar. Away from Katrina.
Away from the reminder that humanity, that people, were unbearably fragile.
