Chapter Nineteen
Keely slowed her steps as she walked up the path to the club. Ten minutes late. Coming off her mini-vacation she should’ve put more of an effort into being on time. She didn’t. If this was the straw that broke the camel’s back, and she ended up unemployed, then so be it.
The week off may have been excessive, but it proved to be beneficial to her self-reflection.
It gave her time to think about what she really wanted.
Her job at the Bowery had never been her end goal.
But she realized without taking steps to move forward, she’d always be stuck in a position she didn’t want.
Quitting wasn’t an option, but she had started looking for other employment. Slowly.
And then there was Caine. He’d stopped reaching out after showing up at her apartment.
That was a good thing. Right? Keely had ended it, made it clear she didn’t want to see or hear from him.
It was done. Over! In the back of her mind, she couldn’t shake the feeling of regret.
She’d never know what he wanted to explain that night. Keely was left with a lot of what ifs.
In a few weak moments, she’d thought about calling him. She didn’t.
She yanked open the back door and started down the hall to the breakroom to drop off her bag. There was an entirely different vibe as she passed a few of the staff. Admittedly, Keely wasn’t her jovial self, but everyone seemed eerily quiet, not even speaking to one another.
She headed toward the main floor when she saw Sloane and Aaron inside her office talking in hushed tones. What the hell was going on? She stopped in the doorway and tapped on the door. Both of them looked up.
“Hi Keely. Welcome back. Are you feeling better?” Sloane’s usual chipper greeting was subdued.
“What’s going on?”
Sloane shared a look with Aaron.
“What do you mean?”
Keely cocked her head and resisted the urge to roll her eyes. It was obvious they were keeping something from her. She walked in and closed the door behind her, darting her gaze between the two. Why were they acting so suspicious? Oh damn.
“Am I getting fired?”
“No,” Sloane blurted. “Of course not.”
“Then why are you acting weird?”
“Sloane’s always weird.” Arron snorted, trying to make light of her question. And their behavior.
His attempt at a joke failed, and she countered back, “You’re acting weird too. What’s going on?”
He pointed up and whispered. “Something happened in the offices. Gina was setting up the bar in the balcony, and she said all hell broke loose in the back.”
“A fight?” Keely gasped and the wheels in her brain started churning. She tried to contain her excitement and batten down her smile, but it was useless. She was overcome with the prospect. “Did someone punch Rogue? ’Cause if I missed that, I’ll never forgive myself.”
Arron lowered his chin to his chest, concealing his muffled chuckle. Sloane had a different response. She furrowed her brows, and Keely immediately tamped down her excitement.
“The fight was between Jared and another guy in security.”
“Oh my God, is Jay okay?”
“Yes,” Sloane said. “But we heard it was pretty bad.”
“What happened?” Keely looked over at Arron. He was moved to security a while back. Surely, he’d have some intel.
“I wasn’t up there, so I don’t know all the details.”
Even if he did, he probably wouldn’t have told her. Arron was tight-lipped when it came to matters involving security. She’d have to reach out to her brother. She immediately pulled out her phone and messaged Killian.
Keely: What happened with Jay? Is he okay?
Keely shook her head, staring down at her screen waiting on a response. “Well, I hope whoever fought with him got canned.”
“It wasn’t a member of Rogue and Trey’s security. He’s part of Oz’s from the X-Lounge.”
Keely froze, feeling a coolness rush through her veins. She slowly glanced up, staring directly at Sloane.
“Which one?”
“The bald, mean looking one who never smiles.”
A chill ran down her spine. That description was fitting for all of Oz’s security but…
“Caine?”
“Yes, him.” Sloane lowered her voice. “I heard he had Jared pinned against the wall with his hand wrapped around his throat.”
“Sloane.” Arron’s tone came off as scolding and Sloane shrugged.
“That’s what I heard.”
Keely gasped, and her mind went in a million directions, all coming back to her. Was this about me? She quickly tucked her phone in her pocket.
“I gotta take tonight off.”
“Keely, you just got here.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry…” She stormed out of the office, headed for the exit. There was only one person who had all the answers. Her feet pounded the pavement as she rushed to her car and pulled out her phone.
Keely: WHERE ARE YOU?
She unlocked her door and got in. The phone pinged seconds later and she read his message.
Caine: The loft.
Keely started her engine and raced out of the parking lot.
****
The constant ringing had Caine pulling up the cameras at the door.
Keely was pacing near the door occasionally, grabbing the handle and trying to pry it open.
He tapped the lock release, and she jumped when the buzzer sounded, clearly catching her off guard.
It only took a few seconds for her to gather herself and rip it open.
Caine expected her to stop at the elevator, but she passed it and headed for the staircase.
She didn’t have to be buzzed in or have a code until she got to his door.
He walked to the corner of the loft and unlocked the deadbolt, opening the door.
He could hear her heavy footsteps pound against the concrete stairs, though she slowed her pace as she grew near.
By the time she reached his landing, she was semi-winded and clutching her chest. When she glanced up, looking in his eyes, she scowled.
Apparently she’d regained some energy from her adrenaline.
“You attacked Jay!” she screamed, storming past him into the loft.
“Not without reason.”
Keely spun around.
“There’s never a reason to beat on someone, Caine!” she shouted, balling her fists.
Caine wasn’t sure what she’d heard or from whom, but she didn’t have all the facts.
He should’ve known the event would make it around the club much like a game of telephone.
That was obviously where she’d gotten her information.
If she’d gotten it from someone directly connected to the event, she’d know the truth. Caine intended on giving it to her.
“I didn’t beat on him.” Caine cocked his brow and folded his arms. “I put him in his place.”
She furrowed her brows. “What the hell does that mean?”
“No one tells me I can’t have you.” He stalked closer and growled. “ Except you.”
“What?” She gasped, pressing her hand against her chest. “So this was all about me?”
Caine walked through his bedroom, passing his bed where she was standing. “What else would it be about?”
He got as far as the doorway when he felt her hand wrap over his forearm. He could’ve kept walking. She didn’t have the strength to stop him. But he didn’t. Keely circled him, stopping directly in front of him, looking up.
“What exactly did he say?”
“Ask him.”
She dropped her hand to her side, peering around the room. He had no idea what she was thinking.
“I guess he was just looking out for me.”
For some reason, her words struck a nerve with Caine. It put him on the defense, and had his territorial instinct on high alert.
“I don’t need any assistance when it comes to protecting you.” Caine narrowed his gaze, clenching his jaw. “You’re mine.”
It was a bold statement. And honest. Keely might’ve ended things, but it wasn’t over for Caine. Not even fucking close. He just didn’t know how to make it right with her.
Fuck!
Caine walked out, leaving her alone in his bedroom.