Her brow furrows, and I itch to massage the crease there, to wipe away her concern, but instead, I reach for her hand, intertwining our fingers as I speak. “I’ve never believed in happily ever afters, or soulmates and the meant to be. Even while I was married, that all fell into the fairy-tale category, something I’d read about to Paige. Or at least, something her nanny would have read to her. I never understood how anyone could get wrapped up in giddy feelings and what-ifs. I was too practical for that. That’s why business always had my heart. It made sense. Ideas are presented, decisions are made, and they either work or they don’t. Of course, it’s a lot more complicated than that, but it was easier to handle than uncontrollable emotions and ideals.”
Keeley’s lips part, her burning gaze locked on mine as though she’s captivated by my every word. And God, I hope that’s true because I’m captivated by her. She’s making me question all the beliefs I had in the past.
“With you, I can see a future, I can see past the day-to-day, and I know with absolute certainty that I never want to be without you. Not today, not ten years from now. You understand me in a way no one ever has before. We’re in sync,a team, two halves of the same whole. And yes, I realize that sounds a hell of a lot like soulmates, and I’m more than happy to have been proven wrong. The point is…Fuck.” I run a hand through my hair, my palms clammy. I can talk to a room full of thousands of people, I can argue my point, fire people without so much as a flinch, but telling my girl that I love her makes my stomach fraught with tension.
“Who would have thought this would be so hard? The point is that I’m in love with you, Keeley. And I think it’s been building for a really long time. Even before our first kiss.”
Keeley’s breath hitches as her eyes well with emotion, the hint of tears shining brightly as she stares my way.
“It’s scary how alike we are.” She giggles, covering her face with her hands. “If someone had asked me two years ago if I believed in all that, I would have laughed in their face, and yet now, with you sitting in front of me, declaring your love, it’s safe to say I’ve changed my mind. I had faith I’d be okay today because I had faith in you. I’ve always had faith in you.” She smiles as my love pounds inside me, the beating so hard it hurts my heart.
“So what you’re saying is…” I trail off, my patience paper-thin now that she’s close to admitting she feels the same.
“As hard as I tried to fight it, I’ve fallen in love with you too. And while I have no clue what the future will bring, I know I want you in it. Always.”
“Thank fuck.” I cup her neck and slam my lips to hers, feeling her pulse spike beneath my fingertips. This is it. She’s the reason I threw myself into work, the reason I packed up and moved to San Francisco, the reason for everything.
My life has been leading me here. I just didn’t know it.
Chapter Fifty-Seven
KEELEY
Paige rushes in the front door while I’m eating breakfast the next morning, with my brother following closely behind her. I cringe at the murderous look in his eyes, his expression directed toward the patio where Sal’s pacing on the phone.Myphone, since his was confiscated.
I want to jump to his defense and step between them, only with this stupid cast, I’m stuck in place.
“Easton, stop,” I call out from the couch. “You don’t know the?—”
“I know enough, Keeley.”
I’d roll my eyes if I didn’t think he was about to punch Sal in the face. I almost wish the police were still here. Though I know Sal will be able to handle it. He also has the option of blaming me for changing the plan, so that would help his case, if he uses it.
“Are you okay?” Paige drops down on the couch beside me, her expression more fitting for the occasion.
“Call off your husband and I’ll be better.”
“I would, if I didn’t feel the same. What Dad did…” She trails off, shaking her head, and I laugh.Does no one actually know Sal?
“Do you really think he’d leave me alone, without protection, because of a meeting in New York?” I pause, staring at Paige pointedly until she sighs.
“He’s done it before, but no, I didn’t think that, until it happened.”
“It didn’t happen, Paige.”
I glance out to the patio to find Easton and Sal talking animatedly in hushed tones, and I really wish I was a fly on the wall. “I love Easton for wanting to protect me, but I am going to kick his ass the second I get the all clear from the doctor. Both of you need to hear the full story before jumping to conclusions.”
“Then tell me. I’m sure Dad’s filling Easton in.”
“God, I hope so.”
“What happened?”
I blow out a breath, running a hand through my hair. “When Sal discovered the Mikklesons were tracking you, I suggested we shift their attention elsewhere. To an easier target, someonewithoutprotection, someone no one was supposed to know about.”
“You?”
“Me,” I confirm. “Of course, your dad wasn’t happy about it at first, but I convinced him to let me leak our relationship to the media in the hope that they’d target me instead of you. A way of luring them out.”
