Chapter Twenty-Seven #2
Keely could relate. She had a great relationship with her father, but there was something about a bond between a child and their mother.
The good ones. For a lot of people, it was a love so strong, the idea of living a life without it was suffocating.
It was a dread and dark cloud hanging over in the back of their heads.
The mere thought of one day living without them sent an unnatural panic through their body.
“I didn’t get that. But her daughter did.” Caine glanced up. “And I wasn’t gonna take it from her.”
She slid her hand up his arm and over his chest. His heart was pumping so fast showing the weight he carried.
“This is who I am.”
“I love who you are, who you were, and I love you despite every choice you were forced to make, Caine.” She inched closer, brushing her lips over his cheek and whispering. “I love all of you.”
He shook his head, and she fisted his shirt. “I fucking love all of you.”
His head lowered slightly, but Keely tightened her hold, forcing him to look at her.
“Yeah, I do, and you don’t get to tell me I don’t.
” Keely leaned closer. “This doesn’t change anything, Caine.
Not between us. Or maybe it does.” She gave a small shrug, softening her lips.
“Maybe I’m seeing a deeper part of you. One that I may not relate to, but I understand and accept wholeheartedly. ”
“You deserve better.”
“I don’t want your version of better. I just want you.”
He stared back at her and she did the same. What should’ve been an awkward silence had never felt so comfortable. It was as if they were both truly seeing each other. The corner of her mouth curled and she brushed her lips against his arm, peeking up through her lashes.
“You’re gonna hate some things I do, Caine.”
He knitted his brows, scowling. “I already hate the fucking crazy shit you do.”
Keely smirked with a shrug. “See? We’re already halfway there.”
Caine narrowed his gaze, but she noticed his jaw relaxing.
He may not love her antics, but he accepted them.
Chaos, destruction, and never a dull moment at every turn.
And what more was there? Life was all about the ebbs and flows, the expectation of the unexpected, and the ability to ride the waves when shit got hard.
And amongst all those chaotic moments…they got to live and breathe life.
Not everyone was so lucky to get that gift… but we are .
“What can I do?” Keely asked, waiting on his response. She was prepared. Whatever he wanted. Whatever Caine needed. Whatever it took. She’d be there.
He looked up through his hooded gaze. It was impossible to read his thoughts. There’d been too much talk, too much emotion, too much of everything.
“What?” she whispered.
“This.” His tone was low, graveled, and quiet, but she heard him. Caine slid his hand over her jaw, sliding his thumb over her throat, stilling on her pulse. “I need this.”
Me.
And he’d get it. All of her.
****
Caine was too wired with too much on his mind to sleep. But Keely needed her rest, and it seemed she wouldn’t go to bed without him. He’d laid a lot on her, and she’d taken it all. Better than he could’ve imagined. Caine wasn’t completely at ease. He wouldn’t be until Inez’s deal was done and over.
When he’d left the loft, she’d been fast asleep. He’d told her about working but left a note by the nightstand reminding her. So fucking domesticated of him.
Caine arrived at the same time as Ridge and Cyrus.
They’d pick Jared up before making the transport and picking up Anders and his crew.
In a few hours, this would all be over. For her part, he assumed Inez had contacted Jessie directly about the meeting.
She’d been the only one absent at Oz’s when they hatched their new plan.
It was with good reason. Jessie was considered one of Inez’s.
Caine was still on edge, hoping that she stayed true to her word about not revealing Keely’s identity. All they had to do was make sure from here on out, everything ran smoothly.
They walked into the lobby of the apartment building. Jessie was leaning against the wall near the elevators. It looked as if she was waiting for it. But when she looked over and saw them walk in, she straightened and stared. Caine felt a sense of dread wash over him. Foreshadowing?
“Jessie.” Caine lowered his chin and knitted his brows. “What’s going on?”
She smiled, though it seemed forced. “She’s got cameras everywhere, so it’s best to control your response when I tell you. And just a warning.” Jessie glanced up at the elevator screen. “You’re not going to like it, Caine.”
Ah, fuck.
“What?”
“That story about Zeke being taken out because he flipped last minute? They’re not buying it.
When I was confronted, I couldn’t lie. Inez has known me too long.
She knows me too well. She would’ve seen through it.
I had to alter the story, said Zeke attacked Jared, and he was forced to protect himself.
I never mentioned Keely. But” —Jessie sighed— “Inez knows who she is and that she was at the warehouse.”
Caine bowed his head, concealing his face. The anger would be too hard to hide.
“How?” He growled.
“It seems when Ridge called Ace and told him there was a delay, he sent his guys anyway. They laid low but apparently saw everything, including your little redhead being escorted out. I don’t know how they know Keely, but they do. And now Inez does.”
“Fuck,” he snapped through gritted teeth.
The elevator doors opened, and Jessie passed him. “Just stay calm, I’ve got a plan.”
He, along with Ridge and Cyrus, walked in behind her and waited on the doors to close.
“What’s the plan, Jessie?” Ridge asked, not waiting on Caine to inquire.
Keely’s safety was important to all of them. The meeting at Oz’s had proven that.
“I’m taking the lead on this. I know how Inez thinks and can usually gauge how she’ll respond.
This is not the time to give her an answer she doesn’t like.
” Jessie eyed all the men. “Don’t engage with Killcreek because they will try and bait you.
They thrive on having the upper hand and right now? They have it.”
Caine gave a curt nod.
The doors opened, and they stepped out, walking down the hall.
Jessie didn’t bother knocking, and they filed into the eerily quiet apartment.
There were several key members of Killcreek in the living room, and Inez was stationed in her usual spot in the kitchen behind the breakfast bar.
She didn’t even wait for them to settle in.
“I fucking told you what would happen if you fucked up this deal.” Inez shook her head with an evil smirk. “I see you’re missing someone. Where the fuck is that coward?”
Jared.
Jessie stepped forward. “Jared will meet us at the location of the truck.”
Inez scoffed, waving her hand. “This is fucking done. That motherfucker and his girl” —she shot out her hand, pointing at Caine— “Fucked it all up!”
It seemed Inez knew everything about Keely, including his connection to her. That put an even bigger target on her back. Fuck!
“This deal isn’t over, Inez. We still got Anders on board, and we can make it happen in the next few hours. Isn’t that what you want?” Jessie asked, her voice calm and not combative. “That has always been the end goal. Nothing has changed except the small delay.”
Inez snorted, shaking her head. She took a drag of her cigarette, looking over at Ace, who stood silent with his arms crossed.
“Ace?” Jessie said, raising her brows. It was imperative that Killcreek went along with the continued deal to keep the peace.
“How do we know he doesn’t suspect anything, and we’re not walking into our own ambush?”
When Jessie didn’t respond immediately, Caine broke her rule and stepped forward.
“Nash spoke to him, and Anders doesn’t suspect a thing.
He’s ready to make this deal happen in a few hours.
And if this is an ambush, the only ones who are in danger would be us.
” He circled his hand, gesturing to Ridge, Cyrus, Jessie, and himself.
“If we’re not worried, then you shouldn’t be. ”
Ace narrowed his gaze, scanning over all of them. “Alright. Then we move forward.”
Caine turned toward the door, but Inez rounded the counter, stepping in front of him and blocking his path.
“This deal with Anders goes through without another fucking incident, then I’m gonna let your girl live.
But if anything happens, she’s gonna pay the price.
It may not be right away, and you can try and hide her. But I will get to her.”
Caine had no doubt.
Inez waved her hand. “Now, get the fuck outta here.”
They didn’t have to be told twice and started for the door. They had just walked out into the hall when he heard Inez’s hushed tone.
“I want insurance on that one.” Inez’s voice was low, and he didn’t quite understand.
“It’s already done,” Ace said.
Caine shared a look with Ridge, who seemed just as perplexed by the comment.
The elevators were silent, no one spoke a word.
They had one job to do, and they had to get it right.
He stalked out into the parking lot and toward the car.
He’d be riding with Ridge. Cyrus, Jared and Jessie would be in the other cars escorting Anders and his crew. There was no room for error.
“Caine.” Jessie sidled up next to him but stared straight forward. “Don’t look at me because she’s probably watching the cameras.”
She. Inez.
“Do you have security on Keely at your place?”
Usually, he would but they needed all hands on deck with the deal.
“No.”
“That insurance comment? It’s Keely. If this doesn’t go as planned, Inez is going to take her.”
No shit!
“You don’t think I know that? I heard her threat loud and fucking clear.”
“No, I mean now . She’s gonna have someone on standby if anything goes wrong. They’re probably already at your loft, Caine. Gent and Cue were missing from that meeting.”
He stilled, and against her advisement, he slowly turned to Jessie.
“Inez was the one who gave me the code to your loft.”
“I changed it.”
Jessie snorted. “If she got the old one, she can get the new one. You willing to take that chance?”
Fuck! Caine rushed to the truck and got in, slamming the door behind him. He grabbed his phone, lifting it to his ear.
“Problem?” Nash asked.
“Yeah, Nash. I think Killcreek is at my loft, and Keely’s alone.” He slammed his fist against the dashboard. “Fuck!”
“Caine,” Nash paused. “I’ll handle it.”
“Get someone there now, Nash.” Caine had never given his superior an order, but he didn’t care.
“I will, but you need to stay focused and get this done. We clear?”
Fucking crystal.