the arms, which we know the Strangler did to you, but not his other victims. The burns in the Strangler case were meant to secure Simone’s attention and get her to offer herself up on a silver platter, which she unintentionally did.”
“I would have done it any way.” Simone’s sorrow-filled gaze cut to mine.
“I would have too,” I admitted.
She nodded. The family we’d built with Mama Kerri at Kerrighan House was unbreakable. There was nothing you could do to one of us that every last one of us didn’t feel as if it happened to us personally. Our bond was so deep, you cut one, you cut us all. We were loyal to the highest degree. We put our sisterhood above everything. It’s what kept us alive. It’s what helped us thrive. And it would be that way until every last one of us took our final breath on this earth.
Sisterhood wasn’t a word for us. It was our way of life. Forged in the hottest flames of pain, fear, and unconditional love. There was no breaking our bonds.
Every last one of us would die for the other. That’s what sisterhood meant to us.
“Hope you’re hearing this, bud,” Jonah said tiredly rubbing at his forehead, his gaze on Killian. “They’re all like that. You fall in love with one, your ass better realize she comes with a house full of strong, intelligent, opinionated women who get into your business all the time.”
Killian carried two cups of coffee in each hand before setting them on the counter and passing them out based on their chosen preference.
“If they’re anything like Addy, it will only make my life fuller. But thanks for the heads-up.” He smiled, not letting any of Jonah’s warning hit the target.
“Ohh, I like him,” Simone said to me, putting her elbow on the table and resting her chin in her hand clearly enamored with my new beau. “I like you,” she gushed, her gaze now on Killian.
He grinned and gave her a wink. “Feeling’s mutual, Simone.”
She sighed dramatically while Jonah grumbled under his breath. “Can’t say I didn’t warn you.”
He sipped his coffee and I chuckled. Liking having part of my family here having coffee. The reason behind their visit was atrocious, but them sitting here, sipping on a cup of Joe, Jonah my brother-in-law in training shooting the shit with the guy I was seeing…it felt good. Normal even.
I moved over to Killian and cuddled against his side. “I’m going to need to go to Kerrighan House, get some clothes, and change before shooting today.”
“Why? You have what you need to wear here and a shower that’s just as hot as the one back at Kerrighan House.”
I ran my hand from his chest to his abs, loving the feeling of the hard play of muscles flexing as I did so over his shirt.
He ducked his head. “I got a better idea. How’s about we go to your house, pick up a couple weeks’ worth of clothing, and you stay here, where you yourself admitted you feel safe. Would also be a lot easier to take photos whenever the mood struck.”
I tilted my head. “True.” I lifted my hand and tapped at my lips with my index finger. “And where would I sleep?” I teased.
He hummed and wrapped his arms around me, locking his wrists at my lower back. “I’m sure we’ll think of something.”
“Is that so?”
He nodded and took my mouth in a swift kiss.
When I turned around, I realized I’d forgotten for a moment that we had visitors. “Um, sorry.”
Simone shook her head smiling. “Don’t be sorry, sister. I can’t wait to tell our family that you caught yourself a keeper.”
“Simone!”
She shook her head. “Nope, you’re not getting out of this one. Mama is gonna be all over this like a bee to a flower!”
I groaned and leaned back against Killian who’d taken to putting an arm around my chest, my back to his front.
“Addy, we really need to get you to your apartment…” Jonah said softly.
I frowned and went stone-cold while shaking my head. The idea alone sounded awful and I wanted no part of it.
“Babe, no. She can’t go back there. No. Just no,” Simone blurted, adamant in her conviction.
“What if I took you?” Killian murmured against my ear. “I’d be with you the entire time, along with Jonah who you trust, right?”
I looked at Jonah, his chocolate brown eyes seeming resigned.
“And I won’t see anything that will give me nightmares?” I added, having enough