Page 44 of Keegan's Promise

I’m a nervous wreck as soon as I hear the news. I barely sleep all night. I don’t think Keegan sleeps any better than I do. When we get up the following morning, Keegan wants to stay home with me, but his schedule is packed with appointments that he’s already rescheduled once.

“You can’t reschedule them again, Keegan,” I murmur, cupping his cheek. “Lily and I will be perfectly fine here. Giant will be here in a few minutes to babysit us.”

With the security system, floodlights, extra locks, and cameras he and Finn installed all over the property, there’s really no need for him to sit out there all night when Keegan is here. He has a wife and kids waiting for him at home. He deserves time with them.

Keegan frowns down at me, clearly reluctant. “You’d be even safer with me and Giant here to babysit you.”

“Are you just trying to get out of work?” I tease.

“No. I’m trying to make sure my wife and baby girl are safe.”

I melt against him, leaning up to brush a kiss across his jaw. “We’re going to be safe. Giant will be here today, and you’ll be home before they raid.”

“Promise me that you’ll call if you need me.”

“You know I will.”

He grumbles reluctantly and then gives in with a heavy sigh. His lips come down on mine in a searing kiss, his hand tangled in my hair. “I can’t fucking wait until this is over and you never have to worry about these motherfuckers ever again.”

“Soon,” I whisper.

He kisses me again and then strides to the door, only to pause and glance back at me. “I love you, Landry baby.”

“I love you, too. Lock the door and arm the security system behind me. Giant should be here within the hour.”

He drags himself out, leaving me and Lily in the silence of his old farmhouse. I lock up and rearm the security system before I scoop Lily out of her bouncy seat.

“Hey, sweet angel,” I croon after I’ve changed her. “Are you hungry?”

She coos at me, her eyes wide and attentive as I settle into a rocking chair to feed her. I watch her eat for a long moment before my phone rings, making me jump.

I grab it off the coffee table, smiling when I see Samara’s name on the display.

“Hey,” I whisper. “What’s up?”

“I wanted to check on you,” she says, worry in her voice. “Tate told me what’s going on. Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” I say, surprised by how much I actually mean that. I’m anxious, but I feel like this is finally it. The end of my nightmare. By morning, Garrick and the MC will be in handcuffs. Lily and I will be free.

“Is Keegan there with you?”

“No. I sent him to work. Giant should be here soon.”

“Do you want some company?”

“I’d love that,” I admit. “Have you eaten breakfast yet?”

“Not unless coffee counts.”

“I’ll make us something. Let me know when you and the babies get here.”

“It’s just me and Scout today, and we’re on the way.”

I disconnect and set the phone down, glancing down at Lily. She’s already asleep, milk dribbling from her lips. I swear, she’s the best little baby. She sleeps so soundly. It makes my heart happy to know that, despite the uncertainty in her world, she doesn’t sense it. She feels safe, content, and cozy. She knows love and security.

I’m not sure I ever knew that before Keegan. Uncle Danny got custody of me when I was just little. I don’t remember my parents. He told me once that my dad was just like him…which doesn’t give me a lot of hope for the man. But he seemed to like my mom, said she was good for him. I don’t know if they wanted me or if they loved me. Those weren’t really questions I could ask Danny.

In his world, kindness is transactional, and love is for the weak. He was only nice to me when he wanted something from me—my paycheck when I worked at the diner, extra cash to cover rent because he blew his money on his drug habit, or someone to keep cleaning up his messes.

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