Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
Dean
Two years ago, I’d left Keira behind of my own accord. Three weeks ago, I’d left her hospital room when she threw me out.
Today? Once again, she’d told me to go. But this time, I couldn’t.
I decided to stay.
It would give her the chance to yell at me some more, right? I had the feeling she needed an outlet for some pent-up feelings, and I was happy to bear the brunt. I owed Keira that much, and I was under no illusions about my failings.
I’d been wrong to cut off contact with her. I could see that now. I’d screwed things up every which way. And I’d told her I was sorry for that, but I had to show her I meant it.
My first thought was the chai Keira had always loved so much. I could make a pot of chai on the stove for her. But I’d probably just screw it up. Instead, I decided to help out by emptying the dishwasher, which had just finished its cycle.
That wasn’t prying too much into Keira’s privacy, right?
How much had changed about her in the last couple years? Of course I hadn’t expected her to stay the same. But at the same time, I had an image of her in my mind, something I’d been carrying around with me to every new job, every new place, and it was hard to think that wasn’t her anymore.
Could I get to know the woman she was now? Would she let me?
While I was pulling plates from the dishwasher rack and setting them on the counter, the front door opened, and Brynn walked in. We both stopped in surprise, staring at each other.
“Dean. You look better than when we saw you at the hospital. You looked like complete shit then.” Brynn carried a couple bags of groceries over and set them on the counter.
“Candid as always, Brynn. I missed that.”
“I’m just saying, there’s been an improvement. Keep doing what you’re doing. Whatever it is.”
I couldn’t help but smile.
“What have you been up to since you came back to Hart County?” Brynn asked. “If I seem nosy, that’s because I am.”
“I’ve been catching up on some training.”
She’d started unloading the groceries. “I’m intrigued.”
I didn’t elaborate. Instead, I pitched in to help put things away, grabbing a box of pasta from the counter. “How are you and Cole doing?”
“Cole’s as ornery as ever, and I love him for it.”
I opened a few cabinets, found a spot for the pasta, and slid it in. I used to know where everything went in Keira’s kitchen at her old house, back when we spent so much time together. This was different, unfamiliar, but I was a quick study.
Brynn handed me a can of soup, watching me with an assessing look. “I wasn’t all that surprised to see you back in town,” she said.
I glanced at her. “No?”
“Nope.” She pulled out a bag of coffee. “There’s something unresolved between you and Keira. I’m hoping this will be an opportunity for you both to sort that out.”
“I thought you’d be more protective and tell me not to hurt her.”
“Oh, don’t get me wrong. I’m extremely protective of my friends.
” Brynn put a jar of pasta sauce on a shelf.
“I couldn’t stand River the first time I met him because I knew he’d hurt my best friend Charlie in the past. Turned out I was completely wrong about him.
He’s solid. Now, Charlie’s his wife and very happy.
” She met my eyes. “And unlike River when I first met him, I actually think you’re a good guy already, Dean. I consider you a friend.”
Something loosened in my chest. “That means a lot.”
“You’re a fellow Marine too. That common ground counts for plenty.” She handed me another can, and I put it away with the others.
Brynn’s gaze drifted to the dining table, where I’d set the basket. “Did you bring that?”
“Yeah.”
“It’s massive.” She walked over and poked through it, letting out a low whistle. “Damn. You’re knee-deep in groveling mode, aren’t you?”
“I suppose it’s obvious.”
“You’re none too subtle, Marine. But I approve.”
I rubbed the back of my neck. “How’s Keira really handling everything? The stress of all this?”
Brynn leaned against the counter, considering. “She’s doing the best she can. Which is a hell of a lot. I’m lucky to call her a friend, and I’d be happy to have her guarding my six. Sometimes we’re forged through fire, you know?”
And sometimes the fire destroys everything we hold dear, I thought ruefully. But I just nodded.
“It’s also convenient that you swore off violence,” Brynn added, her tone light but her eyes serious.
“You know about that?”
“Sure. Keira told me.”
“Why’s that convenient?”
“Because you won’t be able to defend yourself too well if you hurt her again and I have to whoop your ass.”
I chuckled. “Duly noted.”
Before I could respond further, Keira emerged from her bedroom. If anything, she looked more tired than before. If she’d taken a nap, it hadn’t been restful.
Keira fixed me with a glare. “You’re still here. I told you to leave.”
I glanced guiltily at Brynn, who raised her eyebrows.
“You did,” I agreed.
“But you stayed.”
“Yep. In case you changed your mind and were willing to talk more.”
“Also, he emptied the dishwasher,” Brynn chimed in. “Just saying.”
I thanked her silently.
Keira nodded at Brynn, the two of them exchanging some silent message with their eyes.
Then Keira turned to me. “I had time to think about what you said earlier, and I have some things I want to discuss.”
“Okay. That’s good. I—”
“Let’s go outside.” Keira’s expression was impossible to read. A contrast to how well I used to know her, when her features gave away so much of her heart. She was closed off now, and I really hoped I wasn’t to blame.
Fuck, who was I kidding? I was probably to blame.
While Brynn stayed in the kitchen, Keira and I went through the side door and out into the woodsy area behind her house. I noticed the shiny new lock and repairs to the doorframe, fresh wood replacing what had been ruined during the break-in. The sight of it made my jaw tighten.
There was still snow in the shade between the trees, stubborn patches clinging to the shadows. The beginnings of leaves dotted the aspen branches, that fresh spring green that looked almost unreal.
Keira lost her balance, stumbling on a patch of uneven ground. I swooped in to steady her, my arms going carefully around her, one hand at her waist, the other supporting her good arm.
She fit against me like that night two years ago on the dance floor, like no time had passed at all.
I could feel her breath, the warmth of her body, and for a moment I forgot everything else.
Forgot why I’d left, forgot the distance I was supposed to maintain.
All I knew was that she was here, solid and real in my arms, and I never wanted to let go.
But I had to.
Reluctantly, I loosened my grip, making sure she was steady before stepping back. “You okay?” I asked. “Are you in pain?”
“It’s fine.” She took a breath, and I watched her carefully, staying close in case she needed me again.
We continued walking slowly, the sunshine warm on our faces, the air smelling of pine and thawing earth.
Finally, she spoke again.
“You told me you came here to find the men who hurt me. To kill them. Did you really mean that?”
“Yes. I realize how it sounds, but unless Owen arrests them and has an airtight case, I’ll do what I have to.”
“Even though nobody asked you. I didn’t ask you.”
“The thing is, Keira, I’m not sure I can live with myself if I don’t do something. There’s still a chance they could come for you again.”
“I know that,” she snapped.
“But even if they don’t, I can’t allow those men to go free after what they did to you. I won’t allow it.”
My last few words had come out harsh and guttural. The wind picked up, rustling through the branches above us. The shadows between the trees seemed darker now. The air felt charged, waiting.
Her chest rose and fell. I wasn’t sure, but I could’ve sworn her dark brown eyes had dilated.
Keira came closer to me, holding my gaze. “Then I want in. I’ll help you. Whatever you’re doing. Investigating. Tracking them down. Punishing them.”
“Keira…”
“Don’t you dare tell me no. This is my fight. Either you do this with me, or you don’t do it at all.”
This woman was so much fiercer than the Keira Marsh I’d known two years ago. Could I possibly agree to this? It could put Keira in further danger. If Owen found out, which he probably would, he wouldn’t be happy. But he already wasn’t happy with me.
The intensity in her eyes said she wasn’t backing down. She knew what she was getting into.
“Okay. We’ll work together to track down your attackers.”
As for the rest…we’d worry about that later.
She blinked at me like she hadn’t expected that response, but quickly recovered. “Thank you.”
“Will you unblock me in your phone? I might need to message you.”
She rolled her eyes. “Did it already this afternoon. But there’s also another thing.”
“Since you’re making demands?”
“They’re not demands when I have every right to make them. This is my fight, like I said.”
Our fight, I thought silently. When those men had gone after her, they’d made it my fight. I hadn’t expected to feel that way. But the moment I’d heard, I’d known it, to the depths of my soul. Even if I had no right to take that responsibility, it was still mine.
“Go ahead, then. What else?”
“You have to swear you won’t break your vow. You will not kill them. I mean it. If you go back on your promise about not using violence, it won’t be because of me.”
Well, damn. This would be an issue.
I shifted my weight. A twig snapped under my boot. “If you’re in danger again, I’m not just going to stand by.”
“Self-defense and defense of others are different, right? The law treats those differently. Loopholes.”
I snorted softly. “Loopholes?”
“Close enough.” Hell, the little smile on her lips was worth breaking a million vows for. It disappeared too soon. “Please, Dean. Promise that if you break your vow, it won’t be on me. I can’t take that on my conscience.”
And that was completely fair. Whenever I broke that vow, I would make sure she didn’t take the blame.
“Done. We have a deal. Now, I need to know every detail you can give me about the night of the attack. Whenever you’re up for it,” I added, thinking of how tired she looked.
But she nodded. “It’s already been over three weeks. I want to nail those sons of bitches, and I can’t wait to get started.”