6. Beneath the Surface
6
BENEATH THE SURFACE
EVERETT
Kenzie's eyes dart to mine, then away. Her shoulders tense. "I'm... managing."
Something in her tone makes me pause. There's a wariness there, a guardedness that tugs at something deep inside me. I find myself wanting to know more, to understand what's going on behind those expressive hazel eyes.
"Steph treating you all right?" I press gently.
She nods, a small smile softening her features. "She's been wonderful. I don't know what I'd do without her."
My attention catches on the way her curls frame her face, how her full curves stir my imagination. Images of her body beneath mine. The sound of her moans in my ear. Then, I force myself to focus on her words, not her body .
"And the town? I know it can be... a lot to take in."
Kenzie laughs, but there's a bitter edge to it. "That's one way to put it. I've never felt so judged in my life."
Her honesty surprises me. Most newcomers try to sugarcoat their experiences, not wanting to offend the locals. But Kenzie... she's different.
"Yeah, Silver Ridge isn't exactly known for its warm welcome," I say, my tone thoughtful. "Especially to newcomers. It’s not that the town lacks hospitality; it’s just fiercely protective of its own."
She looks at me then, really looks at me, and I feel pinned by her gaze. "Is that what I am? An outsider?"
The question hangs between us, loaded. I find myself wanting to reassure her, to let her know she belongs here. The intensity of that desire catches me off guard.
"Not to everyone," I say softly.
Something flickers in her eyes - surprise? Hope? Before I can analyze it further, she turns back to the clothes she's folding.
"Your girls are sweet," she says, changing the subject.
I watch her hands as she works, graceful and efficient. "They seem to like you."
She glances up, a genuine smile lighting up her face. "The feeling's mutual. They're wonderful kids, Everett. "
Hearing her use my first name stirs something deep inside me. Something I can't quite explain. It feels personal and intimate.
I lean against a nearby shelf, aiming for casual, but my body instinctively straightens slightly at her acknowledgment, a reflex I can’t fully control.
"They can be a handful, though. I hope they haven't been too much trouble."
Kenzie chuckles, the sound light and airy. "Oh, I think I can handle a couple of tornadoes, especially when they come with such sweet smiles."
I raise an eyebrow, feigning seriousness. "Well, just wait until they start launching sneak attacks. Worms, frogs, spiders. Nothing is off-limits with those two. It has me questioning my sanity."
Her laughter spills out, bright and infectious, and for a moment, there’s just her. That melodic sound steals my breath, leaving me momentarily speechless. A smile tugs at my lips, warmth spreading through my chest.
As the laughter settles, Harper suddenly pops her head around the corner. "Daddy, did you know Miss Kenzie's a twin too?"
Kenzie’s gaze shifts from me to Harper, a twinkle of amusement in her eyes.
“Really?"
Hazel answers, her excitement palpable. “Yeah! But it's a brother and not a sister.”
"That's really cool," I say to the girls, but my gaze lingers on Kenzie.
"Twins have a special bond, don’t we?”
The girls nod and return to their tasks.
Kenzie’s eyes meet mine. I find myself smiling, drawn in by her warmth.
"You're good with them. Have you worked with kids before?"
She shrugs, and I see a shadow cross her face. "Some."
There's a story there, I can tell. But before I can ask, a burst of giggles erupts from the front of the store.
We both turn as a group of women enter the shop, their eyes immediately locking onto Kenzie. I recognize them instantly—Paige Hawkins leads the pack, flanked by her loyal followers, Brittany, Heather, and Tiffany. They whisper and giggle behind their hands, the unmistakable smirks on their faces telling me everything I need to know.
Paige strides in, decked out in a designer outfit that belongs on the streets of Beverly Hills rather than in Silver Ridge. Her perfectly styled hair frames her face, and an air of superiority radiates from her as she surveys the room, her gaze dripping with disdain .
Heather, the town’s notorious gossiper, leans in closer to whisper something, and the sound of their laughter fills the shop, sharp and mocking. Tiffany, ever the follower, nods along, her expression green with envy, eager to earn Paige's approval.
Then there's Brittany, the insecure wannabe, trailing behind them. She’s dressed similarly but lacks the same confidence, her eyes darting nervously between her friends and Kenzie. The group forms a united front, ready to unleash their brand of cruelty.
They're not a true representation of Silver Ridge, but every town has them.
I can feel the tension in the room shift as they approach, their laughter echoing like a warning bell. This is the kind of trouble I had hoped to shield Kenzie from—these women thrive on drama and on tearing down anyone they perceive as a threat. And they've got Kenzie in their sights.
Paige strides in, flanked by Heather and Tiffany, her posture radiating an air of superiority. I can see her gaze sweep over Kenzie with disdain as the trio approaches.
"Well, well, if it isn't the little homewrecker herself," Paige drawls, her ruby-red lips curving into a mocking smile.
I watch Kenzie’s expression harden, her resolve clear as she stands her ground. “Can I help you with something?” she asks, a calm smile on her lips that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
Paige lets out a derisive laugh. “Oh, we’re just browsing. Although I must say, it’s quite the sight to see you playing house with the Logan girls.”
Her flunkies titter behind their hands, emboldened by Paige’s condescending tone. My muscles tighten as I watch Paige, her familiar smirk curling at the edges. Kenzie’s standing tall, but there’s something in the way her shoulders tense that makes me step a little closer, my eyes narrowing as Paige’s gaze flickers toward her like a hunter sizing up prey.
“Maybe you should leave.” I take a step closer to Kenzie.
Paige tilts her head slightly, her Barbie-doll perfectly groomed features remaining impassive, unimpressed. “And why would we do that? This is a public place?”
“I'm not doing this with you. I told you I didn't know, and you won't listen. Maybe next time, you should put your husband on a leash.” Kenzie interjects, her defiance sparking a fire in my chest.
The words hang in the air, and a quiet pride stirs in me as Harper and Hazel giggle at Kenzie’s remark. But I can also see the irritation boiling in Paige's eyes, and I know I need to step in before this escalates .
Before she can retaliate, I raise my voice, cutting through the tension. “That’s enough.”
The command echoes through the shop, silencing the room and drawing all eyes to me. I won’t let them drag her down, not while I’m here.
Paige's mouth twists in displeasure, but I can see the moment she realizes I'm not fucking around. With a haughty sniff, she turns on her heel, her minions scurrying to keep up as they exit the shop, leaving Kenzie and me in the quiet aftermath of the confrontation.
The women leave, and a surge of admiration for Kenzie’s strength hits me, along with something deeper… a protective instinct I haven’t let surface in a long time.
She stood her ground against Paige and her minions, her words sharp and unyielding, and it’s more than just impressive—it’s inspiring. I want my girls to have that kind of fire.
But after the cronies leave, she seems to deflate, the fight fading from her posture.
The fire that had burned so brightly moments ago dims, and I can see the real toll the confrontation took on her. Her shoulders slump, and she wraps her arms around herself as if trying to gather the pieces of her shattered confidence.
I step closer, the oppressive silence of the shop amplifying the weight of the moment.
“Hey,” I say softly, my voice steady. “You did great.”
Kenzie glances up, her hazel eyes catching mine, her jaw tight but her gaze searching, as if fighting to stay composed while something deeper stirs just beneath the surface.
“Yeah, well… it doesn’t feel great right now,” she admits her voice barely above a whisper. “I thought I could handle it, but…”
The heaviness of her words, the weight of the judgment she faces in this town. I want to reach out, to offer her comfort, but I hesitate, unsure of how to bridge the distance between us.
I see the spark in her that fought back against Paige, but I also see the fatigue creeping in, the emotional toll of standing up against such relentless cruelty.
They're not the only ones. Paige is the town princess, and she loves to paint herself as the victim. It's an impossible battle for Kenzie.
“You stood up to them, Kenzie,” I insist, hoping to bolster her spirit. “Not many people in this town have the guts to do that. Not with her Daddy's money and standing in this state.”
She offers a faint smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “It’s just… I didn’t expect it to feel like this. I thought I was tougher than that.”
“You are tough,” I reply, stepping a little closer. “It’s okay to feel shaken. It means you care. And that matters. Don’t let them take that away from you.”
Her eyes search mine, and for a moment, I wish I could convey just how fierce my desire is to protect her from all the hurt this town can throw at her. But I know it’s not enough to just say the words. She must feel it, too.
As I watch her process my words, I realize I’m not just admiring her strength—I’m drawn to her resilience, the way she fights against the tide of negativity.
And for a split second, I want nothing more than to wrap her in my arms, to shield her from the judgment of this town and the venomous whispers that seem to follow her.
The thought catches me off guard, a startling realization that sends my heart racing. I take an involuntary step back, shaking my head slightly as if to dispel the urge.
What am I thinking?
I barely know her, yet here I am, wanting to protect her as if she were already part of my family. It’s as if she didn't contribute to the ridicule that falls upon her when she engages in a relationship with Ian.
But then I turn my gaze back to Kenzie, and my heart sinks a little.
"Girls," I call out, my voice gruffer than I intended. "Time to go."
Their faces fall immediately. "But Daddy," Hazel whines. "We want to stay with Miss Kenzie!"
I look to Kenzie, helpless. She gives me a small smile before kneeling to the girls' level.
"Remember what I said about how big girls behave?" she asks gently.
The twins nod solemnly. "Big girls listen the first time," they recite in unison.
Kenzie smiles at them, and an unfamiliar tension coils within me.
"That's right," she says. "Now, I promise I'll see you soon. And no more worms in the nanny's bed, understand?"
"Yes, ma'am," they chorus, looking appropriately chastened.
Kenzie stands, turning those hypnotic eyes on me. She mouths, "You're welcome," and now I feel properly put in my place.
Then she kneels, pressing a gentle kiss to each of my girls' foreheads.
"Be good for your daddy, okay?" she says softly.
"We will!" Harper chirps.
Hazel nods solemnly. "Promise. "
I feel like I should apologize for my thoughts. Because I know I saw Kenzie kissing Ian at the bus station. But what if what I saw isn't what happened?
I clear my throat. "All right, girls. Time to go."
They scamper towards the door, but I linger for a moment. Kenzie's eyes meet mine, and suddenly, it's hard to breathe. There's something in her gaze—a warmth, a vulnerability—that slams into me like a cold, hard blow.
I want to say something, anything, but the words stick in my throat. Instead, I give her a curt nod and turn to follow the twins.
As we step out into the late afternoon sun, I can feel Kenzie's eyes on my back. I resist the urge to look over my shoulder to catch one last glimpse of her.
"Daddy?" Harper tugs at my hand. "Can Miss Kenzie come over for dinner sometime?"
I stiffen. "We'll see, peanut."
The walk back to the truck home is filled with the girls' chatter, but my mind is elsewhere. I can't shake the image of Kenzie with my daughters, the easy way she interacts with them. It's been so long since they've had a maternal figure in their lives...
No . I push the thought away. I can't let myself go down that road.
At home, I settle the girls with a movie, the familiar sound of animated laughter filling the living room, a comforting backdrop to the day's chaos.
I take a moment to breathe, letting the warmth of their joy wash over me before retreating to my office. Work. That's what I need—something to occupy my mind and distract me from the lingering tension of the afternoon.
Once in my office, I sit at my desk and open my laptop, but the familiar lines of code blur before my eyes. I lean back in my chair, willing myself to concentrate, but all I can see is Kenzie’s face, her warm smile lighting up the room, and her eyes crinkling when she laughs with the twins.
The memory of her standing up to Paige plays on a loop in my mind, the admiration I felt watching her assert herself lingering with every replay. I grit my teeth, frustration mounting at my inability to focus.
I’ve faced countless challenges, but Kenzie has somehow managed to slip under my radar.
With a sigh, I push my laptop away, the work forgotten for the moment. I wonder how she’s faring after the confrontation. I want to check on her to see if she’s okay. The urge to protect her—a feeling that both excites and unnerves me—grows stronger.
As the evening stretches on, the sounds of the movie filter through the walls, but my thoughts remain entangled with Kenzie. I try to drown them out, focusing on the girls’ laughter, but my mind drifts back to her as if there’s an unvoiced understanding between us.
"Fuck…" I groan.
My phone buzzes. A text from Axton.
Axton: Hope you don’t mind. I rallied the team. We’ll meet tomorrow night. 2100 hours at the usual spot. You good?"
I type back a quick affirmative, grateful for the distraction. This is what matters.
The mission.
Not Mackenzie Duncan.
But even as I try to immerse myself in work, the feeling that something has shifted lingers, refusing to fade. That Kenzie might be more dangerous than any mission Specter could throw at me.
I'm starting to wonder what it might be like to let someone in.