Keegan POV:
I tapped my fingers on my knee, nervously waiting. More people filed down the aisle but I still hadn't spotted Vianne. If everything had gone according to the plan, she should be boarding the plane by now.
I knew she'd be in disguise, which one she'd use, I wasn't positive. She seemed partial to wearing the red wig, while I loved the real deal. I knew Jarred and the others wouldn't be able to reach me. Between the media and authorities, there was no way they'd be able to sneak in a call. However, a text would be great.
As a couple of people took their seats nearby, I noticed the absence of others moving down the aisle. Did that mean everyone was on? That shit made me nervous because Vianne was not on the plane. I stood up, ready to get the jump-off to find out what was going on, even though I'd likely get into trouble. I stopped when a woman across the aisle rose to her toes, trying to stuff her carry-on in the storage overhead.
Her blonde hai
Keegan POV:"I understand."Smiling, I laughed at something I remembered. "My daughter loves the camera.""She looks like she does," she said, gesturing discreetly toward the passengers in front of us still listening. Claire was not a topic we could discuss too openly, since Benedict had asked where his granddaughter was when Vianne and her family were sped away. We definitely couldn't risk using her name out in the open.For a few minutes more, we talked about some of the things we liked about different tourist destinations, discussing the theme parks that a certain little girl would no doubt love to visit.I leaned in close to her and whispered in her ear, "Go to the bathroom in a few minutes and I'll meet you there a couple after."At her nod, I sat back in my seat and we continued to talk about nothing in particular, some of it made up. Our conversation was to keep those that were too nosey for their own good from realizing that we knew ea
Claire POV:I hummed a song as I colored in my coloring book. Mommy often said it was okay for me to color outside the lines. The first time I did it on purpose, I gave the apple a mustache and a little army of chopped fruits and I became an artist!Mommy pinned it up on the fridge with a magnet and smiled every time she opened the door. After that, I did my best to make her happy, so I kept drawing and writing. She bought me colored pencils when she saw how good I was and I got even better. I loved it so much that I asked for notebooks and pencils.Mommy said that it was my creative outlet. I never told her it was my happy place. When my bad dad yelled at Mommy, I would write and sketch all the time. Now I had a new happy place. My mommy and daddy loved each other and me in that place. They loved to make each other smile, too. That was important because Mommy's smile lit up the room, at least that was what Daddy said. Then again, he said that about me, to
[WARNING: Explicit sexual content in the first part of the chapter. Read at your own risk!] Keegan POV: God, she was beautiful while she slept. None of the worry, her dark past, and uncertainty were on her face as she lay peacefully on the plush pillow. Her hair seemed longer even though she'd been gone for a little less than two weeks. It was ridiculous to think such a thing, but I couldn't help it. Her lips were in that soft, natural pout that always made me crave a taste and test their softness with my mouth. One of her delicate hands cushioned her cheek, as the other lay over my heart. "So beautiful," I whispered, kissing her cheek. Her slim thigh urged me to move, to accommodate her, allowing it to slip between my legs. My fingers skimmed her hip as she moved, and I could feel the muscles stretch under my touch. I wanted my hands on her, all over. I reminded myself that she had to sleep since she had very little of it for weeks. I kept myself from seeking more of her warm sil
Keegan POV:"Are you nervous?" I asked Vianne as she paced the living room. The flat-screen on the wall displayed the news from Darwin that I routed through my wireless network."Today's the funeral," she whispered, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. "Plus, there's another crucial step to our plan going down today."I nodded. "So far it looks like the asshole might get away with all this," I growled, feeling the same tension she felt. Dennis managed a call, which was never easy, and some evidence against the Congressman suddenly disappeared, Pratt and Hampson were pissed as hell.There was a leak in their network, which nobody was aware of. The warrant authorities had tried to obtain also proved futile, considering the bastard knew each judge in the state. No one seemed to want to go against him. We had to find a way to make them spring into action.I wished that I had taken the shot, and killed the asshole from the rooftop that day. Howeve
Benedict Moore POV:It had been three days since the explosion occurred, the one that sent my already spiraling life into a tailspin. On nearly constant rotation was the news feed of me threatening to kill Clement Slater, the encounter at the funeral, and Vianne's shooting. Occasionally, one of the broadcast's remembered that my son was dead, murdered by his wife, but it was already old news.What everyone seemed to focus on was me, and because of that, my world was crumbling around me. A life that took me years to build. To give me more than what my past could let me have. After my parents died when I was a child, the Smith family took me in and saved me from a terrible life.However, it wasn't an easy one. We were barely a step above the poverty level and though we learned to live off the land, I needed more. I was a small lad back in my youth and it was my larger brothers that protected me, aware of my intelligence and because I was family.By the time
Keegan POV:When we received the news of Benedict's suicide, it was late at night and we were already asleep. I had to wake Vianne to tell her, and she remained restless for hours in bed, as I tried to offer her some comfort. However, it seemed something she didn't want.She wanted vengeance. She wanted revenge. Things she could no longer obtain since the asshole was dead.She sighed, turning to her side to attempt some more sleep. "I don't want to talk about this." I didn't think she'd be able to sleep, but she managed to for over an hour. However, she woke up from a nightmare that had her reaching for me. Since then she'd been like this."You're pissed," I murmured."What was your first clue?" Her hand thumped against the bed, as she turned from her side to face the ceiling, moving away from me. She ran a hand over her face and dug into her hair."That bastard got off easy by swallowing a bullet. First, he made it seem he was having a hear
Keegan POV:It was something I felt more than once in my life. When Mike’s father walked away after being partially responsible for his son's life and when Blake dared to use Claire to lure me out.The second I was done with taping her hands, she started balancing herself on her toes, dancing circles around me. I did my hands as best as I could and tossed the rest of the tape aside. When our eyes met, the anger was still there but there was something else, too. I wasn't sure what, but I had a feeling she didn't think this shit would help. I knew deep down it would.She rolled her shoulders, psyching me out with what looked like a right hook but swung with her left. "I'm not sure what you're hoping to accomplish here," she said, blocking my knee to her stomach.I kept my eyes on hers. "You're angry, Vianne."Her lips curled on one end. "I have every right to be angry." I landed a punch to her arm and another to her chest. She shook them off ea
[WARNING: Sexually explicit content up ahead. Read at your own risk!] Keegan POV: "I love you," I growled, giving in to my need to kiss her. She moaned as I tasted each curve of her mouth, biting gently on her bottom lip. I needed her to give herself to me completely, for her to trust that I would give her everything she needed. "Let go, Vianne," I whispered and added a soft lick at the corner of her mouth. "Let me have you. Show you how much I need and want you." She shuddered at the next glide of my mouth over hers. "Let me love you." "Yes, love you, too," she sighed and melted in my arms, her hands falling to my sides. I groaned at the soft sound and kissed her again, slanting my lips over hers. My fingers held her close and ran through her beautiful hair. The strands felt like smooth silk, despite the dampness from our workout. My name left her lips as I did what I promised. I pressed my lips to the center of her forehead, tipping her head down enough to continue across the su
Claire POV:College was not as fascinating as I had thought it would be. My classmates seemed to be just as rash and childlike as those in the high school. But it was the behavior of the professors that kept me going. I enjoyed listening to their lecture. I enjoyed reading the extra material they asked us to read but no one else did.If a professor said it was optional reading, I definitely read it. I asked questions after class, often getting disgruntled looks from my classmates. Sometimes I received irritation from the professors and teaching assistants too. But all of it was overshadowed by the simple fact that I felt watched.It had been a long time since I had felt like something was chasing me at all times of the day.At first, I had ignored it, thinking that Dad was correct, that I was just nervous and missing them. But then the feeling persisted. I knew what nervousness felt like. I knew how much I missed my family. But there was nausea that overtook me at certain times of the
Keegan POV:I heard the baby monitor beep and squinted into the darkness, hoping it was nothing. The clock read three in the morning and this was a usual time for Vianne and me to wake up every morning. One of many. I sniffed and looked over at Vianne, who was curled on her side, still facing me. Her eyes were screwed shut and she was definitely awake, but she didn’t want to get off the bed. Understandable. She had a little shifter for a baby and it was safe to say nothing fun came from breastfeeding our son Kyle. He was still small, needing to wake up every few hours to be fed and bathed. Vianne, who despised breast pumps ended up sobbing in relief when I bought one this time around.I looked at the monitor again and saw that our son was wide awake, blinking and cooing at the camera with a gummy smile. He was a jolly child but he still needed to be fed and changed. I slipped out of bed and turned the alarm on the monitor off. I found Vianne smiling groggily at me and chuckled. “Go b
[Warning: The chapter contains explicit sexual content. Please read at your own risk.]Keegan POV:I heard the chime from Vianne's cell phone and knew it was Claire. She checked it, laughing."She asked if we were at the cabin yet.""Well damn, she gave me away." "A cabin?" "I said it was only a couple of hours by car. And it's pretty secluded and we'll have it all to ourselves." She laughed and kissed my cheek. "You don't have to convince me. It sounds perfect and that explains why you only brought us one bag for a three-night stay." I growled and pulled her hand to my mouth. "We won't be leaving the cabin for much. And being naked all weekend is mandatory." "Yes, alpha," she purred.Fuck. Did she have any idea what her saying things like that, in that fucking hot voice of hers did to me? I groaned when I felt her free hand rub between my thighs. "Oh fuck," I hissed and released her other hand. Both of my own gripped the steering wheel, desperately trying not to fucking kill us
Keegan POV:Minutes later, Vianne stood on a chair as I stood in front of her, holding onto her hips so she wouldn't fall. Behind her were Claire, Tory, and several other single women, all looking up as Vianne waved the small bunch of flowers overhead. Twice Vianne faked it, making them laugh and scream at her.Finally, at the end of the next countdown, Vianne threw it over her shoulder. I looked to see who caught it, finding a wide-eyed Tory holding the bouquet in her hands. However, seconds after, Clement passed her, grabbing the prize and handing the flowers back to my wife.There were several laughs and Tory groaned, chasing him toward Vivian who was too busy trying not to laugh. Then he went back for Claire. Good, I knew he was on my side."I can't believe your dad," Vianne said from her perch. She looked down at me as she waited for everyone to settle again. "You're enjoying yourself aren't you?" I shrugged, not apologizing for my wandering hands. My fingers were barely grazing
Keegan POV:Sensing my eyes on her, my daughter offered me a smile and wave. She blew me a kiss, which I caught mid-air, making her giggle. I winked and turned to Vianne who was watching me."You've been an amazing father," she whispered, tears filling her eyes. "I want to see you with a baby in your arms, sleeping on your chest."I leaned in, brushing her hair aside to whisper in her ear. "I want to see your belly grow with our son or daughter, watch you sit in a rocker as you breastfeed, and listen to you sing a lullaby-like you still do with Claire. I hope you never stop singing like that, sweetheart.""As long as I have someone willing to listen, I won't." She kissed me then, prolonging it with a sweep of her tongue along my lips. "I love you, so much, Keegan."I smiled as I went back for another kiss. "I know." She laughed, smacking my gut with her hand. "I love you, too. It's a good thing you do though. I would hate to be the only one."Something caught her attention over my sho
Keegan POV:"I'll get you!" I handed Claire to Vianne and followed the asshole. Why was it that Claire always asked the most uncomfortable questions when he was around?I heard my mother ask what was wrong from behind me. "He's still struggling with how smart our daughter is." "Did I hear something about baby sister or brother?" I heard several people laugh as I chased Ricki around a table. "It's not my fault she figured out what happens during a honeymoon!" "She didn't even know we were going to one!""Sorry," he said, laughing as he twisted away from my reach. "It didn't take much for her to work it out when I told her she couldn't join you." I growled and tried to grab him. "All you had to say was to ask me or Vianne." "Sorry!" I laughed and shook my head, knowing it wasn't really his fault. I just wanted to give him a hard time. I would smash some cake into his face later anyway. "Alright," I said, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "I'll let this go, but not before I tell th
Keegan POV:My baby girl looked like a mini beauty queen. Dressed in a white dress, she was eating up the attention, the gown covered in lace and tiny crystals. Her dark curls held small flowers and sparkled as she threw petals every few steps. She gave me a wink that had me rethinking strategies of keeping her locked up the moment she became a teenager.She was going to break so many hearts.As Mom and Dad made their way down the aisle, both smiling widely, I knew we made the right choice for me to come home for this.The music changed as my parents took their seats, both giving me a small hug before they sat. I looked up toward the entrance where I knew Vianne would appear, anticipation sizzling through me. As the music took on a softer quality, I saw a hint of white.My eyes ran the length of her; she was gorgeous, perfection and mine.The dress highlighted her beautiful body, making her look like a dream come true.Beside her Clement looked nervous as he stared at his feet, to mak
Keegan POV:Tess. She winked over my aunt's shoulder. Somehow, I knew my friends would find a way to be with me on my wedding day. My aunt, oblivious to me, went inside the wedding tent and Tess made her way to me."Don't you look handsome," she said, lifting her hands to fix my bow tie. "I'm glad you're here," I said softly, not wanting to be overheard. She smiled and shrugged. "We wouldn't miss it for the world." "Please tell me Edwin is in disguise.She knew why I asked. Though he wasn't widely known as the man that took over Clement's organization, he had made the news a few times already.“He let his beard grow out and changed his eyebrows. Even I had a hard time recognizing him,” she whispered, still smiling. "Where is he?"She cocked an eyebrow. "I'm the boss today, so he's somewhere around here following my orders."I laughed and wished I could hug her. "Thanks for coming," I said. "Who else is here?" She tried to play it off, but I could see right through her. Some of the
Keegan POV:I should have known. It hurt to know that she didn't seem to feel the bond I felt toward Claire."You feel it acutely because she is your mate’s daughter. It is an unbreakable bond. That's not to say I don't love her already," she added in a soft whisper."You do?""Irrevocably," she said with a smile. "How could anyone not love a pup like her? She's so beautiful and we share a hobby!" She laughed at that and I realized I had nothing to worry about with her and Claire. I couldn't tell her the whole truth, but I had to say something to ease her curiosity."She was running from an abusive boyfriend when we met," I said, coming up with a different cover story as I sat beside her. I hated the lie falling from my lips, but it was a price I paid to keep my family safe. "It was one of the reasons why Troy told you to wait a few months ago. He came looking for them after all this time."She nodded. "And that situation is resolved?""Yes," I said, kissing her temple. "I can't tell