Chapter 40
Chapter Forty
Daisy
Owen sent a group text asking us all, including his mom and sister, to meet at his mom’s place after practice, so here we sit. I’m holding my niece, hoping she’ll protect me from the evil eye her father is sending me from across the room.
“Your face looks so much better. How does it feel?” Mia asks, diverting my attention.
“Not too bad. Half the time I forget all about it. Then I see my reflection in the mirror and remember why people seem so sad when they look at me. I hate seeing the pity in everyone's eyes.”
“It’s not pity. We just worry about you.”
“I know, but really, I’m good.” I kick my sneaker-covered foot in front of her as if to say, what could be wrong?
“How does it feel to be out in the open about Owen?”
There’s no stopping the smile that stretches across my face, so I don’t even try. “I’ve never been happier, Mia. I know we’ve got a lot going on. It’s not like all of that isn’t on my mind. But as long as I have him, everything is right in the world.”
She smiles, but it’s apprehensive.
“What?” I ask defensively. My brows furrow. “You don’t think we’ll make it?”
“It’s not that. You two have years of history. It’s not Owen. It’s the fact that someone tried to kill you. Your family's ranch was torched. You’re going through a lot right now.”
I love Mia, but my blood is boiling. Little Gracie is my saving grace right now; the warmth of her little body pressed against my chest providing a sense of calm.
“You think once it’s all over, Owen and I will be too?”
“Hey.” She places a hand on mine, not patting the baby’s back.
“I’m not saying that. This is all new to the rest of us, and it’s happening at a pretty traumatic time for you.
I love you both.” She looks over my shoulder to make sure nobody’s listening, then lowers her voice.
“I don’t want to see either of you hurt. ”
I take a deep breath, granting myself a moment to find the words to reassure my best friend.
“Mia, I understand how it looks, I do. But please remember that Owen confessed his feelings to me long before any of this started. I’ve known for months, more than likely a decade, that I was in love with him.
My feelings for him aren’t new, and they aren’t a reaction to trauma.
I loved him long before my fall. In some ways, this terrible situation is the best thing to ever happen to me. ”
Her smile holds mischief as her glossy eyes flash over my shoulder a heartbeat before powerful arms wrap around my waist and his chin rests on the shoulder not already occupied.
“I love you too,” Owen whispers in my ear.
I reach back and cup his cheek. “How was your day, baby?”
“Have I told you how much I love it when you call me that?”
“Nope.”
Mia steps away, leaving us on our own.
“Didn’t see your truck outside. You didn’t drive on your first day of freedom?”
“Smith drove me and Mom back to my place so I could get more clothes, and of course, shoes. I let him drive us here, so I could ride home with you.”
“Good girl.”
Two words. That’s all it takes. My nipples pebble and my nether region heats. All with an infant in my arms. Damn him.
“Behave. I’m holding a baby.”
This time when he speaks, his lips brush my ear. “Are you wet for me, Clover?”
“I swear—”
“Listen, I’m doing my best not to lose my mind over here,” Cal interrupts our loved-up cuddle. “But I draw the line at you whispering sweet nothings in my sister's ear while she’s holding my daughter.”
Gracie’s mom saunters our way, taking her out of my arms. “Carry on.”
Her husband looks at her with a mix of emotions before grumbling, “Traitor.”
Owen takes my hand, pulling us closer to the rest of the family. “I have some updates.” Sighing, he drags his hand over his face.
“What's wrong?” Knox asks, taking a seat on the arm of the sofa.
It’s still odd to have him present at family gatherings. It’s welcome, but strange.
Before he answers, Owen looks around the room, and I swear he’s counting heads to make sure we’re all here. “So, as you know, Dusty Armstrong was arrested.”
“Yeah, and that’s good news. So, why so serious?” Cal questions.
“He confessed to the fires and cutting the fences. Since he knew we had him on camera, he didn’t bother denying it. He also felt confident that whoever paid him would protect him. Yes, someone paid him.”
Silence falls over the room.
“Without saying as much, he confirmed that Boston is paying him. The incidents at the ranch are connected to Daisy’s fall, just as we figured.”
“Well, at least he’s behind bars,” Mom says, trying to find the positive.
Owen clears his throat. “Somehow, his mother paid his bail. They released Dusty earlier today.” Murmurs of outrage drift around the group, but Owen holds up a hand and continues. “I don’t think he’s a threat any longer. In fact, I’d be surprised if he hasn’t already skipped town.”
“There’s no way his mom can afford to pay the bastard’s bail,” Cal says, putting the pieces together. “So, whoever he’s working for must have given her the money.”
“That’s what I think,” Owen confirms, squeezing my hand. “Then there’s Daisy’s text.”
“What text?” Angus asks.
The entire room focuses on me.
I pull my phone out of my back pocket and forward the text to the family group chat. A chorus of pings sounds around the room. Everyone reads the threat, Heather looking over my mom’s shoulder to see what they’re all looking at.
“Well, shit,” someone says.
I’m not sure who, because Owen’s hand slips from mine, and that’s all I can focus on.
He steps away, raking his hand through his hair. “It’s important that you all do what your security detail says. If they tell you to stay home from work, stay home. If they tell you to follow your usual routine, do it.”
Tension radiates from his body as he addresses the room, but his eyes are on the floor. He can’t bear looking at any of us.
“Don’t go anywhere without your assigned detail. If someone new shows up claiming they’re relieving your current security, don’t let them in without calling Hopper back in L.A. and confirming. You all have his number, right?”
I reach for Owen, but he paces in front of the fireplace with the weight of our situation on his shoulders. Gone is the man who was whispering in my ear. He’s in work mode now.
“After you call Hopper, call me.” He looks each member of my family in the eyes to make sure they're listening. “If you see or hear anything strange, alert your security detail and then call me. I don’t care what time it is. Knox, Dusty mentioned me during his interview. If Hopper has the manpower, I’d like to get some additional protection here at Mom’s place.
My family is in the line of fire now too. I’ll pay whatever it costs.”
“I got you, brother,” Knox says, leaving the room with his phone to his ear.
Owen’s mom steps in front of him, blocking his route. “Son, you’re only one person. This isn’t all on you.”
“It’s my job to protect my community. And this isn’t just my community; this is my family.
I confronted Chad. They know I’ve reached out to my contacts on the East Coast. I’m not only a target, but I’ve also made things worse for the people I care about the most. It’s not just the McKinnons, Mom. It’s you and Livvy too.”
Hopelessness, guilt, dread, and other nameless emotions cross his features, and time slows.
I should have seen through his facade. He was keeping me at ease when he got here, because he knew he had bad news to share.
He always puts everyone ahead of himself.
He’s been doing everything in his power to make me feel safe, so I didn’t feel the full measure of what happened to me and my family and now possibly his.
We’re all in danger, and Owen thinks it’s his responsibility to keep each one of us safe.
“Sweetheart, we’re gonna get through this. We have protection in place, and every law enforcement agency available is on high alert,” Heather says, trying to get through to him.
Conversation continues with the group, but all I can do is watch the man I love trying to hold everything together. Luckily, the baby cries, which triggers a tantrum from Sawyer. Their parents activate, ending the conversation.
As we say our goodbyes, Owen reminds everyone to call him day or night.
On our way home, he holds my hand but stays quiet.
I’m glad he’s not pretending everything is okay. He doesn’t have to fake a thing with me. The other night he said he wants every piece of me; well, I want the same from him.
If we’re building a life together, it’s not always going to be easy. I intend to be there for him, like he’s been for me.
We’ve just pulled the truck into the garage when his phone rings. My brother's name appears on the dashboard display.
“Hey, Knox.”
“Hopper’s on it. They’re going to shift some guys where there are redundancies of local police and his team. Once his new guys arrive tomorrow, we’ll double back up, but for tonight they’ll get someone to your mom’s place. They’ll keep them safe.”
“Thanks, man. I’ll call tomorrow and work out payment.”
“It’s already taken care of.”
“I can take care of my family, Knox,” Owen says, angrier than I’m sure he means to sound.
“So can I. The Swifts are my family. I’ve got it.”
“Knox—”
“You’ve taken care of my family for the last twenty years while I was living in fantasy land. It’s the least I can do.”
My big brother with his giant heart and the stoic man next to me tug at my heartstrings. Knox’s voice is full of regret and appreciation, while Owen’s is so full of angst it seems he may drown in it.
“We’ll talk later.”
“Nothing to talk about. But you do still owe me beers at the bar. Let’s make sure that happens.”
“I’d like that, Knox. And thank you. For everything.”
“No thanks needed. Just take care of my baby sister.”
“With my life.”
“I know you will. Talk later.”
“Later.”
Owen doesn’t move when the call ends, stuck in his head.
Climbing over the console, boot free, I straddle his lap, tucking myself into him as much as the small space allows. Burying my face in his neck, I place a kiss against his warm skin.
“I wish we had just stayed in bed today.”
I sit up so I can look at him. “I know, baby.”
“I heard what you said to Mia.”
“Good.”
His hands rub up and down my back, the motion soothing both of us. “For that brief moment, all was right in the world.”
“We’re gonna get through this.”
“I almost lost you once.”
“But you didn’t.” I kiss him to reassure him. “I’m here.”
He presses his forehead against mine. “Right where you’ve always belonged.”
“I’m sorry it took me so long to get here.”
“You’re here now. That’s all that matters.”