Chapter 30 Rebel #2
“Our fraternal triplet.” And that’s all I have to say about that. I would have left him out of it. Something tells me we probably should have if the agent didn’t already know about him. I glance at the time. “We’ve been absent from Rogue and Ivy’s party for too long.”
“Of course.” The agent straightens. “I’d like to take a look around, if that’s okay. And I’ll need to follow up on the goat before I leave. I’ve also got some questions for your security team.”
“Rook can answer those,” Riot says. The older man steps into the room.
“I will likely have additional questions for you.”
“Come find me.” Riot is on his feet in one fluid move.
He tugs Kelsey up with him. Stopping in front of me, he squeezes my shoulder.
“I doubt the goat is tied to my stalker. That’s something separate.
Either way, we have enough security on hand that we can safely let loose and relax for one weekend.
FBI now too. At least for tonight Kelsey and I are going to go enjoy the party. You should too.”
“Stick together,” I say. “Stay out of trouble and stay sober, just in case. And don’t mention the goat.”
“Especially not to the Heart brothers.” Riot snickers.
“Or Ivy,” I say seriously.
“Right. We’re going to pretend everything is awesome.”
“That would be best,” Agent Lane says.
“Got it.” Riot looks at me. “Don’t worry, Dad, we won’t have too much fun.”
Riot kisses the side of Kelsey’s head as he guides her past me. “We’ll keep it all on the downlow for the time being. Won’t we?”
“We’ve gotten good at keeping secrets.” Her smile falters, and she stares at the floor.
They look good together. They’d look better if there wasn’t some person out there threatening Riot. I can’t squash this night for them though. Any more than I can for Rogue and Ivy. All of them deserve happiness.
We all do.
At the door they separate. Barely. Enough they look more like friends than lovers to anyone who doesn’t know better. But to those of us who do, it’s impossible to miss the minute gestures and looks they share.
If Riot’s stalker somehow found him here, they might be aware that things have changed between him and Kelsey. That could be a bad thing.
The bodyguard that follows them out gives me a nod. Agent Lane and Rook move to the next room to continue their conversation.
I cross the hallway to my room, which is empty.
Hopefully that means Summer has already headed to the party. I’m going to wrap her up in my arms when I find her and remind her of how beautiful and sexy and perfect she is whether she wants to marry me or not.
Entering the room, I leave the door ajar an inch. That way I’ll be able to hear anyone approaching. Reaching under the bed, I drag out my suitcase and pop it on top of the quilt. I take out the sweatshirts I didn’t bother to unpack. I dig my hand into the pocket for the box I left there.
It made no sense to bring it. And makes even less to unpack it. I flip the lid back on the stunning emerald and diamond ring. As soon as I saw it, I knew it was the one, a lot like I knew Summer was the one the first time I laid eyes on her.
I untuck it from its cushion in the base of the box and hold it between my thumb and pointer finger.
I’ve rehearsed asking her a million time in my head.
Getting down on one knee and telling her how much I adore her.
How much this family we’re creating means to me.
And how proud I would be to be her husband.
I never imagined she wouldn’t want it.
Heavy footsteps cross the hallway while I still have the ring out. I almost drop it in my haste to put it back in its box.
There’s a rap on the door and I twinge my neck, looking over my shoulder. I catch sight of agent Lane through the narrow opening.
I breathe a sigh of relief and open the door. “Agent.”
“Rook went to the barn to keep an eye on your brother.”
“Good.”
“That’s a pretty rock.”
“It’s perfect for her.” I clasp the metal and rock in my palm. Yes or no, whatever her answer, this isn’t the time. “Do you need something?”
“I’m done for now,” he says. “I’m going to have a look around outside and then go back to my car and get some sleep.”
“I’ll walk out with you.” I put the ring back in the box and toss it, along with the shirts, back inside my suitcase. “There’s an empty cabin if you’d rather sleep in a bed instead of your car.”
“Thanks. That would be appreciated.”
“When are you going to ask the lucky lady?” he asks when we’re on the porch.
That was the question. Now it’s what will her answer be when I do.
“When the time is right.” If it ever is. “I start down the steps. “When you’re done looking around you might as well come join us in the barn. Have something to eat. Everyone will be congregated there anyway. If anyone asks you can say you’re our cousin on our mother’s side.”
“Do you have a cousin on your mother’s side?” he asks.
“As far as I’m aware she was an only child.” And I did my research after finding out about West. Don’t need any more surprise siblings crawling out of the woodwork thank you very much.
Especially not psycho ones like Alec. The fact he’s still out there somewhere… is more than enough.