Chapter Twenty-Two
For the second day in a row, Keely was staying at Caine’s. Yesterday had been a remarkable breakthrough with him opening up. Their pasts had been so different. It gave her a better understanding of him.
Keely had just gotten out of the shower and dressed when she heard the shouting from the living room.
“I didn’t fucking invite you here. Go!” His voice boomed through the living room.
Keely peeked around the corner. He was speaking to someone in the elevator, essentially blocking them from making entry. She recalled how the elevator security worked. The person wouldn’t have access unless they knew the code.
“All I’m asking for is five minutes, Caine.” The feminine voice was controlled and soft.
Keely straightened her back and walked a few feet into the living room area.
She leaned to her left. Caine’s wide frame was blocking most of her view.
But not all. As soon as she saw the woman, her blood rushed through her veins and heat spread across her flesh.
Keely clamped down on her teeth, feeling the pain shooting through her molars.
“What’s going on, Caine?”
He jerked his head, and Jessie slipped past him, holding a bag.
“Get the fuck out, Jessie!” Caine roared, which made Keely flinch.
Jessie didn’t seem the least bit fazed. She stepped forward, scanning the room as if she owned the loft. Her gaze lingered over his furniture before zoning in on Keely standing a few feet away.
“Hey, sis.”
Keely blinked, completely caught off guard with the greeting. Clearly, she was the only other female in the room. It didn’t stop her from peering around. Is she talking to me?
Jessie dropped her chin to her chest, muffling her snicker.
“I will physically fucking remove you from my place.”
“You can try.” Jessie’s taunting tone was followed up with a smile.
“Or you can just let me speak with Keely. I knew showing up at her place wouldn’t be acceptable to you.
I’m trying to be respectful here, Caine.
Figured this is the next best thing.” She looked over at Keely and lifted the bag. “I have something for you.”
What?
Keely slowly walked over, and when Jessie moved forward, Caine matched her steps. Jessie slowly angled her head and narrowed her gaze.
“Do you really think I would do anything to harm her?” Jessie rolled her eyes, ignoring Caine’s low snarl.
“Did he tell you that I was following his order when I spilled the drink on you? It was a dick move.” Jessie arched her brow, challenging Caine.
His lips tightened, and his scowl deepened. But he didn’t argue.
“He told me.”
Jessie hummed with a small smile playing on her lips.
“Well then, he gets credit for that. Being my superior, he gave me an order, and I had to comply. I wasn’t given all the information and none of the history between you two which was why I initially agreed.
And although it was a dick move on his part, it was done solely based on keeping you safe.
” Jessie glanced over at Caine, shaking her head. “Such a dick move.”
Keely flattened her lips, fighting against a smile.
Jessie offered her a shopping bag. It was the fancy kind with a rope strap and embossed letters with the name of the store. Keely had heard of it, but shopping there was beyond her budget. She took the bag, peeking inside. She couldn’t see the contents, which were covered with pink tissue paper.
“I ruined your dress,” Jessie said, and Keely peeked up. “It’s only fair I replace it.”
She bought me a dress? The proper and polite thing to do was to thank her and wait until she left to open up the gift. But that wasn’t Keely’s style. She dug into the bag, ripping apart the tissue paper and pulling out the white dress. Keely dropped the bag to the ground, holding the dress up.
Holy shit!
It was white, but that was the only similarity to her old one. It was gorgeous. The material was buttery soft, almost like silk, with thin straps and a form-fitting bodice that flared out past the waist. This dress puts my other one to shame.
“I took a guess with the size.”
Keely glanced at the tag, practically bouncing on her toes. “It’s perfect. Thank you so much.”
Jessie smiled and turned toward the elevator. “Well, enjoy it.”
It was such a kind gesture especially considering how Keely had gone after Jessie in the parking lot. True, she didn’t have all the information but it still warranted an apology.
“Wait, Jessie.” Keely rushed across the room, stopping a foot away from the woman. “I was a complete bitch to you that night and I want to apologize because…”
Jessie immediately held up her hand. “No, sis, you’re not apologizing for shit. You saw your man out with another woman then that same woman spills red wine on your white dress?” Jessie snorted. “You don’t owe me anything.”
“I’m still sorry.” Keely blurted.
Jessie winked. “Unnecessary but accepted. And I should thank you.” Jessie smirked, glancing over at Caine. “I got to learn some new things about my associate.”
Keely cringed slightly and peeked over at Caine. I almost forgot about the handcuff comment.
Caine’s gaze hardened. “Can you fucking leave now?”
Jessie winked at Keely. “Bye, sis.”
Caine was close on Jessie’s heels as she made her way into the elevator.
“How’d you get the code?” Caine snapped.
Jessie turned, pushing the button to the elevator, and chuckled. “I have my connections.”
Caine didn’t seem the least bit happy with her response but didn’t have time to argue. The door closed. Keely went back to inspecting the dress. When she felt Caine come up to her side, she hugged the dress to her chest, smiling up at him.
“You have to take me to a nice place where I can wear this.”
He furrowed his brows, glancing down at the dress. Keely expected a solid no. Caine’s face softened, and he gave a curt nod.
“Alright,” he said. “But not now. I got a meeting in an hour.”
“Okay, well, I have off today, so I guess I’ll do the super fun task of cleaning my apartment.”
“Stay here.”
Keely knitted her brows and slowly turned. “In your loft?”
Caine nodded.
“Alone?”
“You don’t have to.”
“No, I mean, it’d be kind of cool just to hang out. I might snoop.”
Caine snorted, rolling his eyes. “You’ll definitely snoop.”
She wrapped her arms around his waist, and rested her chin on his chest. “And you don’t mind?”
“I got nothing to hide from you.”
Perfect answer, Caine.
****
Caine rolled his shoulders, standing in line with Ridge and Cyrus in the corner of the living room. It was a full house at Inez’s apartment for the final meeting.
“Meeting is set up at the warehouse on Lochlan. Zeke knows what he’s supposed to do. He’ll meet us there. We’ll collect the cash and take them out on sight,” Ace said.
“And the clean up?” Jared asked.
“We got that covered,” Cross said, looking over to Caine, lifting his chin for him to take over.
Caine addressed Inez directly. “We’ll have myself and Ridge in the truck, Jessie, Cy, and Jared following in two separate cars, escorting Anders and his crew to Ghosttown. We’ll take them to a secluded area right outside of Turnersville. The MC will be waiting. We don’t anticipate any problems.”
“And you think you have the timing planned, ’cause I don’t want that fucker getting suspicious and running.”
Caine gave a curt nod. “We have it covered. Nash spoke to Anders setting up a time, and he confirmed it with Zeke. He doesn’t suspect anything.”
Inez drew her cigarette to her lips, taking a deep drag, eyeing everyone in the room.
“No fuck ups.”
It was an order everyone would follow. Caine led his men out the door and down the hallway.
They opted for the stairs and made their way through the dated lobby just as the elevator doors opened and Jared walked out.
Caine kept his focus on the main doors. The last thing he needed was another confrontation with Jared.
He pushed open the door and headed for the SUV when he heard his name being called.
“Caine.”
Fuck.
He slowed his steps and turned, noticing Cyrus and Ridge staying close to his sides. No one wanted a repeat of the other night. Jared walked toward them, cautiously eyeing all three men.
“Can I get a minute?” Jared paused. “Alone.”
Ridge held up his hand, but Caine stepped forward and gestured to the SUV. “Give us a minute.”
Ridge sighed, shaking his head. “If I gotta break up a fight, I’m gonna beat the shit outta both of you.”
Caine stared at Jared, listening to Ridge and Cyrus retreat to the SUV. They’d stay on high alert and watch the interaction, stepping in, if necessary. It won’t be. Unlike last time, Caine would stay in full control.
Caine raised his brows, waiting on Jared.
“I’ve known Keely a long time. She’s like a sister to me.” Jared paused, staring off in the distance. “I warned her to stay away from you.”
Caine clenched his jaw. This was not off to a great start.
“But Keely doesn’t listen to anyone. Should’ve known better than to try that move with her. She just does what she wants and usually finds herself in a shit ton of trouble.” Jared looked over at him. “As I’m sure you know.”
Yeah, I know.
“My warning was more about who you represent than who you are, Caine.”
Well, isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black.
Caine arched his brow. “Did your man get the same warning?”
Jared’s jaw squared and he drew in a breath.
“No. But I was upfront with him when things got serious. Killian knows everything. He may not like all the aspects of my position but he supports it.” Jared folded his arms. “Those two may share blood but they are very different. The last place she belongs is in our world.”
Caine understood Jared’s concerns. He shared them.
Bringing Keely deeper into the Underground could have ramifications, dangers she wouldn’t usually come across.
But Caine wouldn’t allow anything to happen to her.
He’d gotten her back and fully intended on bringing her in.
Caine was going to take the right steps and meet with Nash, and then Oz. Keely would be protected.
“That’s not your decision to make.”
“I know.” Jared nodded. “Anyway, we good?”
There would be no apologies. And Caine didn’t need one. He respected Jared more for not offering one. Why would he? Confronting Caine was Jared’s way of protecting Keely. He couldn’t and wouldn’t fault him for that.
“Yeah, we’re good.”
Jared lowered his chin and started to walk away. Caine could’ve let him go without sharing. It wasn’t his place or job to mediate anything for Jared. But he’d do it for her.
“Call her.”
Jared halted, glancing over his shoulder.
“Keely thinks the fight is her fault.” Caine sighed. “She thinks you’re mad at her.”
Jared grasped the back of his neck. “Told Killian to tell her I wasn’t.”
“Yeah, well, she needs to hear that from you. She’s upset.” Caine snapped. “So make that call a fucking priority.”
Jared nodded and Caine headed to the SUV.
He wasn’t known for his good deeds but Keely was obviously having an effect on him.