Page 120 of Lucky 14

“What’s going on?”

Ky pulls up some screens, clicking away. “Looks like…someone...” His voice fades off. There are security camera feeds where different people are running down the halls. I catch sight of one showing what looks like a hallway upstairs, where Twenty-Seven is standing in front of a group of men, holding a rifle. Then, he boots in one of the doors.

Holli must see it at the same time ‘cause she sucks in a breath. Her gaze meets mine, and I see the panic there.

That’s Wyatt’s brother. And I guess Ky’s too, but I’m not sure how Ky feels about him. I do know how Wyatt feels about him.

“Ky,” I say, putting my hands on his shoulders. I’m not sure what to do, but I want him to stay with me.

“Hmmm?” He’s clicking over a few screens, and the alarm turns off.

Butterflies spin in my stomach. I know a way that’s sure to distract him.

I squeeze my eyes shut. Am I really going to do this? Ask for something? The last time I asked for something, I asked Poppy to stay and have breakfast with me, and she ignored me.

“Yeah?”

I open my eyes, and Ky is there, turning to look at me, those dark eyes devouring my soul like I’m the only person in the universe. My heart races like I just started a run.

I can’t ask. What if he turns me down?

My gaze darts down to his soft lips, and I lick my own. When I look back up at him, his eyes dart back and forth between mine. “Mousey?”

“I…can you…” My face heats, and I feel more danger than I’ve felt the entire time I’ve been on this island. I can’t have him say no. But I also can’t not ask.

His fingers brush up my arm, then come to rest gently against my throat. Not harshly, like Wyatt’s did, but still, it sends a bolt of fear through me. And that fear is enough to wake me up.

Kyan raises an eyebrow, and I look down at his shirt. I have to do this. I need to keep Kyan out. But I also can’t be afraid to ask someone something. I have to do this for us, but more importantly for me.

The words feel lodged in my throat, like they’re burning there as Kyan watches me struggle. So, softly, I whisper, “Kiss me?”

There’s a chuckle, and Kyan pulls me closer until his breath is ghosting across my lips. “I thought you’d never ask.”

Then, he presses his lips to mine. Soft, like a gentle caress, then harder, pulling me into him until I stumble into his lap. His arms are there, wrapping around me, warming me, so strong it feels like he could protect me from anything bad. He kisses me so hard I can barely breathe, pulling air in through my nose as we kiss like we’re starving. I want to stay here forever. But eventually, when Kyan softens his kisses to feather his lips against mine, that feels good too. He rests his forehead against mine, and that also feels good as we pant there together.

When I glance over the chair, Holli has disappeared. When I look back at Ky, his expression has gone…almost sad.

My stomach sinks. “What?” Did I do something wrong?

“Nothing.” He clears his throat, and I see him mask the look, and he gives me a smile.

“Don’t nothing me.” I frown, grabbing his chin and forcing him to look at me. He doesn’t get to hide something that I could have done wrong.

Kyan shifts, his gaze not meeting mine, and now my heart is really racing. He looks behind me where Holli had been standing, then back to me.

“Have I…I’ve been drinking a lot.”

I stare at him, but Kyan’s gaze bounces everywhere but me.

“It’s just…I lose time when I’m drinking, and I want to make sure I…I don’t know. This is stupid.” He straightens. “Clearly I’m too sober right now. Let me get us a drink.”

Wait. This isn’t about me? Kyan’s cheeks are flushed. Like he’s afraid of what I’ll think. What I’ll think? What universe have I landed in?

Kyan tries to get up, but I cling to him. “Wait.”

Of course, it isn’t about me. He thinks he’s blacking out from drinking, but Holli doesn’t think that’s what it is. Maybe I should tell him? It can’t go wrong, right? He’ll know what’s actually happening instead of feeling confused. It has to be scary not knowing what’s happening. Why doesn’t Holli want Ky to know? It’s his life. He should be able to make an informed decision about his life.

“Nothing that a little alcohol can’t fix.” Ky bends to the side, opening a drawer. There’s a rattle, and then he brings out a small glass bottle of liquor. Unscrewing the lid, he cheers it in my direction and takes a swig. He tries to act nonchalant, but I see the turmoil in his eyes. He hides it well, but it’s there, in the quick darting of his eyes and the tiny pinch between his brows. And the guilt hits me.