I don’t believe him for a damn second. But when he grips my shoulders and spins me around, I let him. Resting my forehead against his knee, he runs his fingers through my hair, occasionally gripping it tightly, as if to remind me he’s there, while I cry uncontrollably, trembling so hard I fear I’m going to vibrate out of my skin.
I don’t know how much time passes, minutes or hours, but eventually, I’m all out of tears. My throat is raw and my eyes burn with every blink.
“Are you back with me?” Keegan asks softly. I nod and he tugs on my hair. “I need words, Love.”
I look up at him, meeting his soft gray eyes, and it makes me want to cry all over again. “I’m okay,” I lie.
His face softens. “You’re not, but it’s okay. None of us are right now, but you’re not alone, Carter. You never have to be alone again. Marcus and I don’t blame you.”
He places his other hand against my lips, stopping my protest. “We don’t, and we never will, no matter what you think. This misplaced guilt…it kills me to see. You’re a wonderful father to both Roman and Cole. It’s what drew us to you from the very beginning. You know how it was between us. Everything between Tennant and Benjamin, even Hollis and Lio, it made us wary. But the way you took to Cole? The way you were always there for Roman? We knew we could trust you with our son.Then…as things happened, as we became friends—family—you wormed your way into our hearts.”
He strokes his fingers across my scar, the touch almost too soft to actually feel.
“When Cristian broke your heart, we couldn’t understand how it was possible. Such a generous and loving person…he threw away something that is one in a million. I want to kill him for it. I know you’ve made your peace with him, but I want to fucking stab him in the heart for almost destroying you.”
I smile a little, falling deeper in love with this man despite knowing I should be fighting harder to get him to let me go.
“I don’t know when our feelings changed. There isn’t one defining moment where we can say ‘there, that’s when we knew we needed you as more than just a friend’. But we did. We knew you were important to us, and then you became more. A part of us. Our soulmate. And we will never let you go, Carter. No matter what you, or anyone, says.”
When I see the passion and truth in his foggy eyes, my breath catches and I can’t speak for a long moment. “I believe you,” I finally manage to say. “I…I know I don’t deserve you, but I believe you. Please…”
“Shhh. I got you, Love.” He encourages me to lean further against him, and in some way, somehow, being on my knees for him feelsright. It’s comforting in a way I’ve never had before. That I didn’t know I wanted or needed.
But Keegan…is so much more than I ever expected. Him and Marcus both.
Keegan pets me. Running his fingers through my hair, and down my neck, across my shoulders; every little touch encouraging me to relax further into him. He dips his head and presses a kiss to my hair.
“I love you, Carter.”
“I…” I lick my lips, my words suddenly getting stuck in my throat as another new thing rises to the surface, but I don’t know if I deserve to utter it.
Keegan tips my chin up, raising my face to his, forcing me to look into his all-knowing eyes. “It’s okay. You’re still new, you’ll get there. Marcus and I will help you.” His lips quirk up a little. “Though, if you keep taking on guilt that isn’t yours, I’ll have to punish you. Neither of us is in the right headspace today, but don’t think I won’t start a list. I think it’ll be a good first lesson for you.”
My heart thumps so loudly he has to be able to hear it. But it’s not in fear. Somehow, I manage to get the words past my lips. “Yes, Sir,” I whisper.
Keegan smiles softly. “Thank you for trusting me, Love. I promise, you won’t regret it.” He leans in to press a kiss to my forehead, before lifting my face higher and placing a gentle yet claiming one to my lips.
Somehow, this beautiful, strong, and caring man managed to bring me back from the brink. I trust he means what he says, though that doesn’t stop the guilt, or the dark, insidious thought that's starting to take root:What if you regret keeping me?
Hmm. So many notes to add… Yesterday was far more chaotic than I expected. Sadly, no popcorn was available when I needed it. Dammit. Oh well, at least I have a slightly better understanding of the family dynamics. No wonder Doc has been pushing for an extra medical professional. I’m not sure how he’s managed to keep everyone alive when they’re constantly a threat to each other.
I groan quietly at the knock on my office door. Standing, I cross the small room to admit whoever is urgently requesting my information. I blink when I notice it’s a guard that’s standing in front of my door. The way he’s shifting his weight from one leg to the other signals an incoming headache—one I don’t need.
“Yes?” I ask, hoping he’ll get to the point quickly, since I have several things on my list.
“Uh…well, there is a slight issue. We have a Stanley West here. He says he’s supposed to start work today? But Doc isn’t here, and Soren left very strict instructions not to disturb them.”
Huffing, I roll my eyes. Of course, Doc would leave me with this headache. “Can you have him shown somewhere to wait? I’ll need to speak to Jude before I meet with him.”
“The butler is already having him wait in the sitting room. I believe he’s being offered refreshments in the meantime.” The guard visibly relaxes at my instructions, and I struggle not to look down on the guy. I mean…he’s a guard. Shouldn’t he be less intimidated? Maybe I should have a discussion with Tennant over this…
“Great. How do I find Jude?” I glance at my watch, not wanting to waste time today.
The guard flips open a phone and sends a message. There’s barely any time before several responses come through. Whatever is said makes the man cringe, but he quickly catches himself and stands up straighter.
“Jude is on his way to you now. If you’ll please wait here?”
“Very well. Perhaps you should go make sure everything is safe with the guest?” I prompt, waving him away. I’m not surprised when he practically runs off. Disappointing. So. Very. Disappointing.
