Our Little Secret

Chapter 16

Sorry I was slow on this one, yesterday was my birthday and actually got to go out without my kids for the first time in two years 😅 I'll be back on track soon, let me know if you have any ideas and enjoy!

*Killian's POV*

"You ready, love?" I called down the hall. "We're going to be late."

"I know, I know, I'm sorry," Emma said as she came into the room straightening her dress. I'd never seen her look so beautiful, she literally took my breath away. "What? Why are you staring at me like that?"

"You look stunning, Swan," I told her, still dumbfounded, seeing her face flush before she looked down to hide it.

"We should go," she sighed, always sidestepping compliments. I did my best not to let her, pulling her close to kiss her deeply until she was breathless. "I'm not complaining, but what was that about?"

"You are the most breathtakingly beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on," I said with another kiss. "You shouldn't be embarrassed to be told that."

She looked so conflicted, kissing me one more time before pulling me out the door. We arrived at the restaurant and were immediately brought back to a table, a woman I assumed was Ruby jumping up to hug Emma.

"You must be-" Ruby started to greet me as we sat down but was interrupted.

"Killian?" I heard and we all looked up to find Liam  standing there looking shocked.

"You guys know each other?" Ruby asked, looking around at all of us. I glanced at Emma, taking her hand under the table when I saw the look on her face. "You all know each other?"

"He's my brother," I sighed as he sat down, turning my attention to him. "You didn't tell me you were engaged- or even in town."

"You haven't been taking my calls," he reminded me, not even bothering to hide the way he glared at Emma though she wouldn't look up from the table. "Not easy to tell people things when they won't talk to you."

"What's going on here?" Ruby asked, looking around at all of us but stopping on Emma. "Emma?"

"He hates me," she whispered, her hand shaking in mine. She cleared her throat slightly and looked up to her friend. "He thinks I used Killian to get out of my marriage."

"You did," he snapped at her and I felt her flinch.

"Liam," I snapped back at him. "You have no right. I'm not going to let you treat her this way."

"Killian," she stopped me gently. "This night isn't about that, it's about them and their wedding. So Ruby. Any ideas yet?"

The two of them went on to talk about wedding ideas for the rest of the meal, while my brother and I glared at each other. When dessert came, I couldn't take any more, kissing Emma's cheek and promising to be back soon before getting up. I motioned for my brother to follow me and we both walked outside to the alley behind the restaurant.

"When is this going to end?" I asked him straight out. "I'm so sick of your opinion getting in the way. I can't see you because you can't get past how you feel about someone you refuse to even try to know."

"She'll be gone once she actually gets divorced," he scoffed and I felt my temper flare, my hands turning to fists. "I'm not going to get to know some trashy girl who's just passing through."

Before I could even think to stop myself my fist collided with his face, a sickening crack echoing through the alley.

"Don't ever talk about her like that again," I growled at him, blood dripping from his nose and a bruise already forming. "Not that it's any of your business, but she did get divorced, then we moved in together. She's not going anywhere, so it wouldn't kill you to make an effort. Especially considering she's your fiance's best friend as well."