Chapter 33

Rhys walked into the house. Dani looked up, as if to ask if everything was okay. Kane followed on, head bowed, not wanting to make eye contact with anyone. He had never felt guilt this bad. What would Kirsty think of him? He remembered Rhys' words 'They don't need to know anything else'. He took a deep breath and lifted his head. He saw Kirsty sat on the couch, Dani was sat next to her and Jade was on the floor below her.

"Well?" Dani asked. She knew first her father had a fiery temper and that Kane could be violent. She looked at her father who was looking tired, to Kane who was looking uncomfortable. Awkward, like he wasn't sure what to say.

"We caught up with him. He was leaving, so we made sure he knew not to come back here again." Rhys concluded. "He won't be able to hurt anyone again" Rhys nodded towards Kirsty.

"Thanks Dad" Kirsty replied quietly. Dani gave her a hug then turned to face Kane.

"Come on, we'll leave you two to talk." Dani motioned to jade and her father to leave. Kirsty and Kane had the room to themselves. But Kane couldn't relax, not knowing what they all thought of him. He stood in the doorway, waiting for Kirsty to say he could come and sit with her. As if on cue, Kirsty looked up at him.

"Come on." She said. Kane walked in and slowly sat down next to her. He wasn't sure what to do, lat time he'd tried to touch her she'd moved away, as though she couldn't bear having him near her. He could see tears welling in his eyes. He pulled her close to him and she cried into his t-shirt. She felt safe with Kane.

"Sssh, please don't cry baby. I'm here now" Kane said soothingly. He wasn't good at comforting people, but was trying. He just wanted to take her pain anyway.

From the kitchen Rhys looked on, he remembered seeing Kane kicking Seb, the load splash as Seb's lifeless body hit the water. He still wasn't sure why he was helping Kane cover up, probably because if Kane hadn't done it, then he sure as hell would've killed Seb. Dani walked up behind her father. They looked at Kane, comforting Kirsty, taking her pain away, and making her feel better. Rhys noticed his daughter looking at Kane. She no longer had to look away. She wasn't comfortable, but she looked at him differently, more with pity than contempt. Rhys put his arm around Dani to offer her support.

"I'm proud of you dani, the way you've handled this" he said.

Dani shrugged. "Well, we had to work together to help Kirsty. My sister needed me". She replied as if what she had done was no big deal. But in reality she knew she'd taken her biggest step yet. She'd worked with Kane, when nobody else was around to protect her, and she'd done it.

It felt as though Kane had been with Kirsty for ages. He felt a presence behind him, Rhys was standing there. Kane moved away from Kirsty.

"I'd better be going" Kane said, aware he had outstayed his 'welcome.'

"No Kane, You don't have to go, does he dad?"

"Kirsty you need your rest, you can see each other tomorrow" Rhys said sternly, making Kane know he had to leave no matter what Kirsty wanted. Kane nodded. He felt so numb at what had happened earlier. He'd gotten carried away and now if he was caught, he'd be facing a murder charge. Kirsty stood up and kissed him goodbye. As soft kiss that made Kane melt. It made Rhys feel sick. They kept their heads touching, looking deeply into each others eyes.

"I'll see you tomorrow?" Kirsty asked, not wanting Kane to let go. She'd miss him.

"Yeah, you will" Kane replied. He needed to get out of there. Sure he'd miss Kirsty heaps but he needed to talk to someone. His aunt. "Um, I need to ring my aunt, to come pick me up. I'll ring her outside" He gave Kirsty a goodnight kiss and walked outside. He dialled his aunt's number and asked her to come and pick him up. It was a long story why he didn't have his car and he'd explain alter. But as he put the phone down, he felt a strong hand on his shoulder. Rhys.

"Remember what I said. Not a word to anyone" Rhys voice was calm but stern. He was determined to lay down the law to Kane and make him pay attention.

Kane nodded. He stood outside and finally his aunt arrived. He got in the car. She looked at him.

"What's going on Kane, are you in trouble? You can tell me. What's happened?" his aunt questions were beginning to make Kane crack.

Kane took a deep breath. "I've got something to tell you.."