"Wow Killian, I was only gone for like two minutes," Elena said with a soft laugh as she pulled away from the hug. A passing server caught her eye, and she swiftly grabbed the lone glass of champagne from the tray, took a small sip, then set it back.
"How can you miss me so quickly when you're literally always by my side?" she added, amusement dancing in her eyes.
"Maybe he's scared that you might just suddenly disappear from his life." Xavier chipped in, his tone teasing. But Killian knew his words weren't teasing. It was a reminder that he could truly lose Elena.
Killian wasn't even surprised by the statement. Of course, his brother knew that Elena was trying to look for her parents' killer. Only the heavens know if Xavier wasn't secretly helping her.
Killian was torn as he held Elena's shoulder, his thumb brushing lightly against her skin—a silent plea for her to stay close, to not drift further into the secrets that stood between them.
