Chapter 24

Killian felt all the emotions he had held back explode.

Anger. Worry. Fear.

The power of his clenched fist collided with the side of Graham's face. The satisfaction that curled through his body as he watched Graham reel from the attack was mind-blowing. He had wanted to do that for a while.

There was a short high-pitched scream but Killian froze out everything but Graham. Emma had said it was an inside job - had it been him all along?

Killian lunged himself at Graham, drawing his arm back for another blow.

Graham rolled to the side and gave a short but sharp kick to Killian's middle.

He let out a low grunt at the impact. Sweat dripping as Killian pounded into Graham again.

Someone pulled at him but he shrugged it off, ignoring the continuing shouts from behind.

Graham could taste blood but he easily got in some side shots which loosened Killian's grip on him.

Killian felt a pinching on his ear, a foot on his lower back and then his collar was choking him as he was roughly pulled back. The material of his expensive suit tearing and pain radiating through the side of his head.


Emma watched, paralysed by shock.

What the hell is going on?

It took her a moment to realise that Robin was not intervening.

"Why aren't you doing anything?" She flung the accusation at him before her eyes returned to the brutal fight.

Emma was more than confused when he simply shrugged and let the men continue. This wasn't the first fight she'd ever broken up and knowing that Killian was the aggressor she focused on him.

It wasn't long before she was using her training to pull Killian off Graham. Both men were engrossed in the fighting that they would not listen to her pleas to stop. Emma felt bad for ripping Killian's tuxedo but he deserved it.

Both men were heaving from the exertion but neither were ready to back down. Killian moved to strike out at Graham again and Emma rapidly moved in front of him. Her eyes flicked up to meet his, the anger and betrayal that she saw reflected in them shocked her.

If anything she had expected to see jealousy mirrored in his blue eyes.

"What the hell is going on?" Emma spoke harshly, the words echoing her earlier thoughts.

Her eyes darted to Graham and he simply shrugged, "I have no idea!"

Emma believed him, he had not reason to be dishonest and she would know if he was.

"Get cleaned up." Emma's voice was gentle as she instructed Graham to leave. She needed to get him away from Killian until she had sorted all of this out.

"Robin." She spoke loudly this time and gave a small flick of her head to show that he follow. She needed privacy! Robin stood his ground until Killian gave him a small nod. Permission.

Robin followed Graham and shut the door to the gym.

Emma took several short steps forward and flung her arm up. The open palm cracked against the side of Killian's face as it connected with his cheek. She winced at both the look of pain and of shock that flooded his face.

"How dare you!" Emma poured all of her restrained anger into those 3 words.

"He was going to hurt you." Killian whispered as he rubbed his stinging skin.

"What?!" The skepticism in her tone plain for him to see.

Killian's brows furrowed, "What were you just doing?"

Emma watched the confusion tarnish his beautiful face and realised that this whole situation could be bigger than simple jealousy.

"I was working out and Graham offered to spar with me...He had just gotten the better of me when you barged in." Emma confessed.

He began running his hands through his hair and fidgeting.

Something was not right.

"What is it?" Emma whispered reaching out to gently touch his reddened cheek.

"Talk to me."

Killian leant into her touch briefly before pulling back, "Gold was there...at the event."

"and..."

"And he threatened you." Killian fumed, his calmness of before gone. He strode over the to the punching bags and took a massive was still extremely worked up and needed to vent.

"I'm safe here." Emma approached him from behind slowly.

"I couldn't reach you." Killian whispered brokenly, his back still facing her. Emma took a moment to realise that he would have tried to call her...or Graham. Both of their phones were sitting on the living room tables, there was no need to bring them into the gym.

Emma reached a hand out and slowly grasped Killian's larger hand. She tugged on his fingers, trying to give him some semblance of comfort. Killian surprised her when he quickly turned and using their joint hands pulled her to him. One of his arms wrapped around her torso and pulled her flush against his chest. The other dropped her hand and wound itself through her hair, gripping the back of her head and pushing her face into his shoulder.

She began to wiggle slightly and Killian tightened his hold.

"Just let me have this." His voice whispered against her hair.

Emma relaxed her body and just let him hold her.


Killian eventually released his hold on Emma. He didn't let her stray far as he told her every hellish detail of his horrid night. Surprisingly she remained silent as he told his tale. There were moments when she let out gasps of shock and he caught her eyes, pouring all of his upturned emotions into each and every glance.

He had promised to stay away and his word was his bond. She was fast turning into his Achille's heel and it scared him. It scared him to think that Gold knew as well.

"I think there is one very loyal and sore man out there that you owe an apology too." Emma scolded him when he had finished reliving the night.

"Very true Swan." Killian told her before adding with a smirk, "I have been itching to hit him for a while."

Emma curled her fist and lobbed a small punch into his arm, "I knew it!"

"Easy." Killian rubbed the spot, "He packs quite a wallop and I believe that I need some ice."

"What about security?" Emma questioned him on their short walk down the hall. It would be worrisome to hear that the buildings security had been so easily breached.

"Robin is gathering reinforcements. Believe me when I say that no one is going to touch you." Killian reassured her silently adding in his own head...except for me.

Graham was not pleased to hear that his loyalty had been questioned. Killian was quick to point out that he had not been thinking straight and had quickly leapt to a rash judgement.

"He was a mess." Robin laughed as he handed Graham and Killian fresh ice packs.

Emma's eyes narrowed and quickly shot to Killian. He didn't seem ashamed but his brooding gaze met hers and she nearly drowned in the emotions pooling there.

"It was a very real warning." Killian spoke as he pulled his gaze away.

Why keep playing the games?

Killian could not figure out why Gold would want to continue playing with him. Was it just to torment him before coming in for the kill? Did he want Killian back in line, easy to blackmail and manipulate? The man was a mystery and it did his head in not knowing what the end game was.

"I am going to the office tomorrow." Emma told Killian sternly and he gave a small nod.

Was there any point arguing?

"I know." Killian would pull Robin aside and have him fortify the Corsair's offices. Each and every person would be subjected to even more rigorous checks than were currently in place.

"Good."


Killian headed straight for his bar after he had given Robin and Graham their new directives. A stiff drink was in order.

"Why were you jealous?" Emma questioned quietly once they were alone.

"I..." Killian stumbled for an answer.

"He...You...You're always so close to him...Gazing at him with affection. I guess I am jealous that you don't look at me with such emotion." He divulged the information reluctantly and took a swig of rum straight from the bottle. The buzz from earlier had definitely worn off and he needed a big pick-me-up in order to deal with such a conversation.

"I knew Graham...from before." Emma's voice was low as she confessed.

"Before?" Killian questioned confusedly.

"As a teenager."

"How?" The question elicited a big sigh from Emma and she fidgeted nervously before straightening herself up.

"In a group home." The answer was so soft that he nearly missed it.

Group Home?

Bloody hell

"You were..." Killian trailed off and Emma was quick to reply, "Abandoned."

The words were delivered with a slight crack and Killian found that tears were making tracks down his Swan's face. She was close enough to touch so he gently reached out and let his fingers brush away her tears.

It seemed that tonight had been full of not only surprises but confessions. Emma Swan would not divulge such information without her trusting him explicitly.

Maybe there was hope for him yet?

To Be Continued.