Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Dean
I carried in all of Keira’s boxes and suitcases. She shooed me out of her bedroom, telling me she didn’t need help unpacking.
And that was fine by me. Despite this fake relationship thing we were diving into, that bedroom would be hers alone. Her private domain. It was far better for me to remain an exile in the upstairs rooms.
So that was where I went, taking a seat on my bedroll and pressing Owen’s contact on my phone screen.
“Dean,” my best friend said warily. Couldn’t blame him after the last conversation we’d had a few weeks ago in his office. “Staying out of trouble?”
I thought of the scuffle I’d had with Donny Phelan yesterday. The car chase. The implied threat against Keira’s family. Not to mention Keira walking in on me naked, and then the forbidden make-out session that nearly fogged up my truck windows.
Uh, perhaps more than a little trouble. Sorry, Sheriff.
“Mostly. I’ve been keeping busy. What’s new with you, Tex?”
We chatted awhile, and Owen didn’t say a single word about Donny Phelan. Which was good. It meant the podcaster hadn’t sent his lawyers to complain about me and press charges. Phelan was keeping this quiet.
But did that mean he was backing off, and someone else was trying to intimidate us? Seemed likely. We needed a lot more info. We needed River’s hacker skills again.
“How’s Keira doing?” Owen asked. “I know you’ve been spending time with her.”
“I have. And she’s well. She’s healing.”
“That last talk you and I had. You were very upset, understandably, about the attack on her. My department’s investigation hasn’t been as fruitful so far as I’d like.
I was worried for a while that you might go after Donny Phelan.
I assume Keira’s told you about her argument with him the night of the shooting.
But I’m glad you’re keeping your head cool. ”
There. That was definite confirmation that he didn’t know what I’d really been up to.
But it was also my cue to lay more groundwork. Lying to my friend wasn’t something I was proud of, but it had to be done. Keira’s and my investigation had to stay secret, including from Owen. If, or rather when, Phelan and his thugs disappeared, I didn’t want any suspicion to land on Keira.
“Well, there’s actually something I wanted to tell you. About Keira and me. We talked, worked some things out, and…we’re together now. I guess almost losing her was the push I needed to see what I was missing.”
I held my breath, waiting for his response.
“You finally admitted how you feel about her? Fuck, Dean. That’s incredible. I’m so damn happy for you.”
I flinched, surprised at the pang of guilt that jabbed my insides. Because part of me wished what I’d said was the truth.
“So you’re staying in Hart County,” he said with a relieved laugh.
“Yep.” For now, I added silently.
“Are you looking for a new job?”
“Not yet. I’ve got money saved up. She and I can take a few months to ourselves. And I’ve got a quiet place now, some land where Keira can recover. I’ll show you sometime. But later.”
“It’s no rush. Keira can have all the time she needs before she’s back on duty. If she wants, she can take desk shifts soon, but it’s up to her.”
“Hey, Tex.” I leaned back against the wall, staring at the old water stains on the ceiling. “You think I deserve her?”
“I know you do. But that’s not a one-time thing. It’s about treating her right every single day. I’m sure you will.”
“I plan to. I’ll do right by her.” And that wasn’t a lie.
I’d follow through on my agreement with Keira.
I’d teach her how to shoot like a sniper.
To some extent, the talent necessary to become elite couldn’t be taught, but she was already an excellent markswoman.
There was plenty I could show her to make her a better cop.
A better Protector, whenever Trace let her join.
But when I made good on my threat against Donny Phelan—or against anyone I discovered had tried to harm Keira—then that burden would fall solely on me. Their deaths would be on my hands alone.
I would leave Keira out of it. I had to.
I would do right by her.