His Redemption

Chapter Nine

Eva's pov

Eva remained on the ground and Killian was beside her. His gaze lingered on her face like he was memorizing it.

A drop of water hit the back of her hand.

She flinched. Thinking it was something else, another hand trying to grab her but then another drop followed and another.

It was starting to rain.

Lightning then cracked above them and

In the brief flash of light, she saw it.

the gun holstered beneath his jacket.

Her shoulders tensed. She swallowed, quickly looking away before he caught her staring.

He wasn’t a good man. She knew that instinctively.

A faint patter began to echo through the alley.

The rain grew steadier.

She adjusted her glasses and stood up. She needed to get home and explain to Celeste what happened and hoped she'd understand and won't punish her.

"Are you leaving?" Killian asked, rising to his feet.

Eva nodded, clutching the grocery bag. The rain dampened her hair, her shoulders, soaking slowly through the thin fabric of her clothes. She shivered slightly.

Killian shrugged off his coat and held it out toward Eva.

"Here," he murmured.

Eva shook her head, refusing to take it.

Killian exhaled. "You're freezing," he said softly.

The cold was creeping deeper now, settling into her bones, making her tremble harder.

She hesitated for a moment but then took it.

"Let me help you with that," Killian murmured gesturing to the grocery bag in her hand.

She gave him the bag and slipped on his coat. It smelled like cedar and pine.

“Let me drop you of Evangeline," He offered.

Eva tensed, shaking her head.

He maybe saved me from that thug but he also cannot be trusted, she thought, thinking of the gun he has with him.

“I’m not going to hurt you.” His voice softened, just slightly. “I’m just not letting you walk through this city alone after what happened.”

Killian moved first, slow enough that she didn't feel cornered.

When he reached the curb, he waited for her his hands in his pockets, posture loose, as if giving her the chance to run if she wanted to but she didn't.

Something about him pulled Eva forward despite every instinct screaming she shouldn’t trust a man like him.

Killian’s car was parked half a block away sleek, black, and impossibly clean compared to the street it’s on.

Eva froze when she noticed three huge men, clad in dark suits surrounding the vehicle.

Killian noticed the panic in her eyes and turned to his men.

"Leave," he said firmly.

Colton frowned, his gaze flickered from Killian to the girl.

"What's going on?" he asked.

Killian’s jaw clenched. He didn't like repeating himself.

"I said leave," he repeated.

Colton exhaled and turned toward the warehouse, the other two followed behind him.

"Don't be afraid," Killian whispered. "Those are my men."

He opened the passenger door.

Eva hesitated. The rain pattered against the coat, each drop a tiny drumbeat of uncertainty. Killian leaned on the open door, head tilted.

“If you want to walk," he said, "I’ll walk behind you the whole way to your place. Your choice.”

It was the unexpected gentleness that broke her resistance, not his protection. She nodded and climbed into the car.

The interior smelt faintly of leather and cedar. Killian closed the door with careful precision, then rounded to the driver’s side. When he settled in beside her, the small space seemed to shrink, filling with his quiet presence. He didn't start the engine right away.

“Can you… give me your address?” he asked.

Eva pulled her phone from her pocket and typed it quickly, cheeks warming with embarrassment. She handed him the device. Killian took the phone carefully, as if touching it too roughly might somehow hurt her. His thumb brushed the edge of the device an accidental, fleeting thing yet it sent a shiver through her.

“You live a few blocks from here,” he murmured. “You walk this route often?”

She nodded.

He exhaled, a low, irritated sound. “Not anymore you don’t.”

She glanced at him sharply, and he lifted a hand in surrender. “It wasn't an order. Just… call it advice. ”

He finally started the engine. Her trembling fingers was curled on her lap. Killian noticed. Without a word, he reached over and turned on the heater. Warm air pooled around her like a slow, soothing wave.

“You're brave,” he said as they merged onto the quiet street.

Eva tilted her head.

"For someone like you."

She looked out the window, hiding the faint, involuntary smile that threatened.

Halfway to her street, Killian spoke again, softer this time. “If you ever need anything — anything you call me."

He watched her with surprising ease, then met her gaze. His eyes are storm-dark, steady.

“Because I don’t like the idea of anyone hurting you,” he said. “And because…”

He hesitated, jaw clenching as if admitting the thought is riskier than facing another thug.

“…because I don’t want this to be the last time I see you.”

Her heartbeat stumbled.

The car slowed as they approached her house. Killian pulled over, leaving the engine running. He leaned forward slightly, his voice a deep, velvet softness that contradict the violent efficiency she saw in that alley.

"Can i have your phone?" he asked.

Eva hesitated for a second but then handed it over to him.

"I'm going to add my number in here and whenever you need anything and I mean anything you call me, okay?"

Eva nodded giving him a small smile.

He handed her back her phone and their fingers brushed. Eva gasped silently and Killian smirked.

"I’ll wait here until you’re inside.”

Eva opened the door and stepped out, the night air cold again. She made it to the stairway before turning back. Killian was still there, one hand resting on the wheel, watching her with an intensity that felt nothing like danger and everything like inevitability.

She lifted her hand, signing a small word lit by the streetlamp: Goodnight.

Killian’s lips curved the smallest, rarest smile. “Goodnight, Evangeline.”

And as she slipped inside, her pulse finally steadying, she already knew

this man was every kind of trouble.

The kind she’ll never forget.