Page 62 of Fierce Love
“Knock knock,” Maren calls from the front entranceway. “I thought you were worried about security. The front door is wide-open. Jag, Brice’s security guard, came with me just in case.”
Maren appears on the porch, an imposing guy following behind her.
“Want me to talk to Owen?” the guy who must be Jag says to Nate.
“Please,” Nate says with a nod. “We need someone here consistently, and I’d like a tail on both Kinsley and Hollyn.”
Again, I feel the urge to protest, but I keep my mouth shut. I’m not taking any risks with Kinsley’s life, and I already know Nate won’t let me take any risks with mine.
“I’ll get that set up for you,” Jag says, nodding at Maren. “I’ll be out front.”
“I figure if Kinsley’s not in school, you two have a lot to sort out. I can take her off your hands for the day. She’ll be safe at the palace, and I’ve got Jag.” Maren glances around. “WhereisKinsley?”
“Warming up with a run through the house,” Nate says, glancing behind him. “Every once in a while, she calls, ‘Marco,’ and we pretend to mutter, ‘Polo,’ so she doesn’t get lost.”
Maren and I both laugh at Nate’s dry wit. He’s so rarely let me see it since I returned to the island. It feels like we’re both sinking back into the people we once were, which is dangerous for so many reasons.
“I love this house,” Maren says, staring out at the sea beside me. “Nate, I never understood—”
“Don’t you have somewhere to be?” Nate asks.
“I never understood,” Maren says, giving him a pointed look, “why you lived in Tucker’s Town at the boring family apartment when you could have lived out here.”
“Lived out here?” I say with a little laugh. “Was it for sale?”
“Yes,” Maren says, and I can see Nate running a hand through his hair in frustration behind her. “Ten years ago. When he bought it.”
“Youownthis?” I say, unable to hide my surprise.
“It was a good deal,” he says, and he’s closed up again, as though admitting anything else is too much.
“A good deal,” Maren says with a scoff. “Whatever you say, big brother. Kinsley!” She turns and calls into the house. “We’re pulling out in five.”
Kinsley’s feet are loud on the stairs, echoing through the rooms and out the door to us. “I’m here!” she says. “I don’t have any of my stuff, though. They picked me up from school.”
“We have extras at the palace. Brice is busy today with royal things, so it’s just you and me until practice later. Should we stop in to see the puppies on the way home?”
“Definitely! Can you teach me how to do that leap on the rock wall?”
“Leap?” I ask, my heart kicking.
“Everyone’s harnessed in,” Maren says, guiding Kinsley toward the door. “Totally safe.”
“And amazing to see,” Kinsley calls over her shoulder. “You should see Maren climb!”
Then they’re out the door, and Nate and I are left alone, standing on the porch. We’re staring at each other, and I don’t even know what to say first.
“Maren really is a great climber,” Nate says as though that’s the most important thing in this moment.
“You bought this house. My house. The house I loved from afar. The house I once told you I’d genuinely murder someone to possess.”
He purses his lips, and he gives a slow nod. “I bought the house.”
“Why?”
He gives a little shrug, but he doesn’t respond.
“No,” I say stepping closer. “I need you to say it.”
