Page 206 of Fierce Storm
“And did you or did you not disappear with Blair’s dad to help Zane without telling any of us what you were going to do?”
Fuck. “I did that too.”
“And do you trust me?”
“Of course. But?—”
“There are no buts, Sal.”
“Yes, there is. A huge one. You could have been seriously hurt. Or worse.”
“I wasn’t.”
I stifle a groan and Keeley smiles, standing up on her good foot to pull me into her. She presses a kiss to my lips, and a wave of calm washes over me. She’s okay. She’s okay. That’s all that matters.
“Fuck, Keeley. I understand why you did it, but it scared the hell out of me.”
“Ooh. You like me.” She grins and I have to hand it to her—after all that she’s been through, she doesn’t appear affected at all.
“How are you so calm? A man broke into our house and tried to attack you.”
“He didn’t break in. It’s a safe neighborhood; our door was unlocked.”
“Keel-ley.” I groan. That’s not the point and she knows it.
“Ugh, fine. I’m calm because I had to be. I had to trust it would work out, and when I saw Austin’s meeting request come through, I knew that it would. Clever idea, by the way. It’s like communicating without communicating.”
“Austin sent you a meeting request?”
“He did. It said call with Mr. D’Angelo and Austin Newman, ten forty-five tomorrow morning. With the subject, ‘confirmation of resources.’ I took that to mean ten forty-five tonight, and that someone was on their way to help. I’m assuming his contact came through to tell him the Mikklesons had sent someone. The nephew or whoever it was.”
“He must have, but... Jesus, Keels. I guess it doesn’t matter if you were wrong because it still gave you the confidence you needed.”
“It did. That and my faith in you as a protector.”
“I still don’t like it. I was supposed to get there before they sent someone. That was the plan.”
“Yeah, well, they were faster than I expected.” She voices my thoughts. “But luckily Austin got word when he did and it all worked out in the end. My plan worked. Feel free to say thank you.”
“Thank you.” I stare at her deadpan because while she’s right, the plan worked, it could have easily gone the other way. Austin’s contact could have been double-crossing us. Or the police could have taken longer.
Keeley laughs, undoubtedly at my sour expression, and I’m about to argue when she winces, her eyes flashing back to the couch. “I should sit down.”
“Jesus. Yes. Sit. Can I get you anything?”
“No, I’m fine. Please sit with me.”
We both sit and silence falls between us. It’s then that her confidence wavers. “In all seriousness, I didn’t mean to scare you. I just wanted to help.” She sighs, her throat bobbing as she grabs my hand.
“You helped. I’ll never be able to thank you enough for what you did for my family.”
“Our family.” She hides a smile and my heart jolts.Our family.She’s right. And it’s not just because her brother married into my family, it’sher.She’smy family. And God, I love her.
No, it’s more than that. I don’t love her. I’minlove with her.
It’s beyond infatuation, beyond love, beyond anything I’ve ever felt. The feeling wraps around me, swirling through my veins until it’s ingrained into who I am. Plain and simple, like it’s the most obvious notion in the world. I’m in love with Keeley Reynolds, and I’ve never felt this strongly before.
I shift slightly on the couch, angling my body to face her, an overwhelming tightness in my chest. “Keeley.” I draw her attention, my voice raspy as emotion clogs my throat. “There’s something I have to say.”
