But it was also my cue to lay more groundwork. Lying to my friend wasn’t something I was proud of, but it had to be done. Keira’s and my investigation had to stay secret, including from Owen. If, or ratherwhen, Phelan and his thugs disappeared, I didn’t want any suspicion to land on Keira.
“Well, there’s actually something I wanted to tell you. About Keira and me. We talked, worked some things out, and…we’re together now. I guess almost losing her was the push I needed to see what I was missing.”
I held my breath, waiting for his response.
“You finally admitted how you feel about her? Fuck, Dean. That’s incredible. I’m so damn happy for you.”
I flinched, surprised at the pang of guilt that jabbed my insides. Because part of me wished what I’d said was the truth.
“So you’re staying in Hart County,” he said with a relieved laugh.
“Yep.”For now, I added silently.
“Are you looking for a new job?”
“Not yet. I’ve got money saved up. She and I can take a few months to ourselves. And I’ve got a quiet place now, some land where Keira can recover. I’ll show you sometime. But later.”
“It’s no rush. Keira can have all the time she needs before she’s back on duty. If she wants, she can take desk shifts soon, but it’s up to her.”
“Hey, Tex.” I leaned back against the wall, staring at the old water stains on the ceiling. “You think I deserve her?”
“I know you do. But that’s not a one-time thing. It’s about treating her right every single day. I’m sure you will.”
“I plan to. I’ll do right by her.” And thatwasn’ta lie.
I’d follow through on my agreement with Keira. I’d teach her how to shoot like a sniper. To some extent, the talent necessary to become elite couldn’t be taught, but she was already an excellent markswoman. There was plenty I could show her to make her a better cop. A better Protector, whenever Trace let her join.
But when I made good on my threat against Donny Phelan—or against anyone I discovered had tried to harm Keira—then that burden would fall solely on me. Their deaths would be on my hands alone.
I would leave Keira out of it. I had to.
Iwoulddo right by her.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Keira
“Maybe we should just meetup at my mom’s house instead,” I muttered. “Wouldn’t that be better? Have you ever tasted her pecan pie pancakes?”
Dean smirked at me. “I have, and they’re delicious. But that won’t work. This has to be public. Every shameless gossip in Hartley needs to see that we’re together.”
We were strolling down Main Street, nodding hello to people we knew. Curious eyes followed us, taking in the ways Dean kept touching me. Whispering in my ear. The gossips were going to be all over this. No question.
He reached over, grabbed my right hand, and lifted it to his lips. Shivers rolled in a wave along my skin and settled in my stomach, all weird and fluttery.
Dean was being so normal about this bizarre situation. I, on the contrary, was about to throw up these stomach butterflies all over the sidewalk.
We were scheduled to meet Mom, Stephie, and Brynn for brunch in about ten minutes. Dean had insisted on parking way at the opposite end of Hartley’s downtown, just to make sure we could take a nice, long walk of shame.
Putting my arm around Dean’s waist and feeling him up alittle was aslightbenefit. But I couldn’t even enjoy that fully. Not after what he’d confessed the other day.
If I could’ve stayed forever for anyone, it would’ve been you.
How could I ever be mad at him again when he said something like that?
I’d mostly been holed up in the guest room at Dean’s house the past couple of days, trying to get settled. It was hard to wrap my head around what he’d said. That he’d really felt the same way I did. And those kisses in his truck…Ugh, after the pure passion of those kisses, I had to believe it. He really had wanted me.
Was it better, knowing it hadn’t been some unrequited crush on my part? Or was it worse, realizing that Dean had wanted me, but too many other obstacles stood in our way.
