“If Blaze finds out you approached me, he will kill you.” That was all Katrina said in response.
“I’m joining the Dark Guardians in Kentucky.” He ignored her warning about Blaze. “The Iron Drakes are trying to start up again, Katrina. Talk is they’re coming after you and me. I can’t join the Warriors because of your mate, but the Guardians accepted me. They know everything about my past. I laid it all out.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Katrina asked, rubbing the spot where his hand had been even though he hadn’t hurt her. “Why do you even think I would care?”
“I made sure you got away the last time our bastard of a father almost had you.” His eyes narrowed, but then he sighed, some of the fight leaving him. “Does that count for anything?”
“No, it doesn’t.” Katrina’s voice dropped, but the anger was still there. “You don’t get to throw that in my face like it erases what you didn’t do.”
“I know that.” His jaw tightened. “But they are coming for us, and joining the Guardians is the only way I have any chance of stopping them. There are still Iron Drakes out there loyal to Samuel Drake, and whether we like it or not, we are next in line. If they get to me, you’re next.”
For a moment, neither of them said anything, but Katrina knew he was right.
“They don’t want anyone with that bastard’s blood alive to come rip away what they’re trying to rebuild,” he continued. “You know how this goes, Katrina. Just because you walked away doesn’t mean you’re free from the Iron Drakes. Neither of us will ever be free.”
She refused to let the fear his words brought overtake her, but she knew what he said was true. She would never be truly free of that life. It was always there in the shadows like a nightmare waiting to happen.
“I just wanted to warn you,” he said, then glanced at his watch. “If you need me, let one of the Dark Guardians know.”
“I won’t,” Katrina replied, then saw a look cross his face that reminded her of the old Craig, the brother she used to run around with before their father turned him into someone who could stand there and watch their mother die without shedding a single tear.
“Dammit, Katrina.” His eyes narrowed. “At least tell your mate.”
“Don’t contact me again.” Katrina hissed, then started past him. He didn’t stop her this time. She could feel him staring at her retreating back, but she ignored it.
Then the old Katrina surfaced, the one who had loved her brother before everything went to hell. She knew he was taking a deadly chance by seeking her out to warn her because Blaze would in fact kill him. Slowing, she turned and looked at him over her shoulder. Their eyes met and she saw, no she actually felt the regret radiating off him. Her hardened heart softened somewhat.
“Thanks for letting me know.” God, those words tasted bitter leaving her mouth, but she knew he could have done to her what he did to their mother....and that was to remain silent.
He gave her a single nod, then turned and disappeared.
Katrina’s hands shook as she paid for the purchase. Her eyes scanned the parking lot as she made her way to her car, every shadow, every parked vehicle, every person suddenly felt like a threat. She hurried into the driver’s seat, fumbling with the keys before finally getting the car started.
The second the doors were locked, the emotions hit hard. The past invaded her mind, and she couldn’t stop it. Fear and doom churned in her chest and stomach until she could barely breathe. She had really thought she’d buried that life deep enough itcouldn’t reach her anymore. She’d been a fool. Seeing her brother brought it all back with such force it felt like yesterday. With shaking hands, she searched her phone, hit Blaze’s name, and put it on speaker as her tear-filled eyes stayed locked on the parking lot.
“Hey, babe,” Blaze’s voice filled her small car.
Her mouth opened, but nothing came out. She swallowed hard and tried again, but all that escaped was a sob.
“Katrina?” Blaze’s voice turned hard. “Are you okay?”
She heard pounding and knew he was running.
“No,” she choked out as more sobs broke free.
“Fuck!” Blaze cursed just as a door slammed. “Where are you?”
“Riverside Pharmacy.” Katrina tried to control her breathing, but it was no use. Never would she be able to outrun her past, and that broke something inside her. Just seeing Craig had dragged her straight back to that hell as if no time had passed at all.
“Stay on the phone with me, Katrina.” Blaze’s voice calmed somewhat, and she knew he was trying like hell to stay calm for her. “Are you hurt?”
“No,” she whispered through the tears. “He was here.”
“Who was there?” Blaze couldn’t keep the growl out of his voice.
“My brother.” Katrina squeezed her eyes shut. “Why can’t my past just leave me alone?”
“I’m coming, babe,” Blaze assured her, and she heard horns blowing in the background.