Keegan POV:
"That still leaves Brant," she said. "I meant what I said. If I can sever ties with him, even punish him, I want to do it. But you're right, my safety and Claire's is the priority."
"Then we come up with a plan along with your father," I said firmly. "He needs to know everything I know, which is everything you know."
“I agree.”
"Is there anything that you'd seen or heard that would have you testify against the Congressman?"
Vianne bit her lip and shrugged. "I won't know for sure. Maybe, there are dates and incidents that coincide with some possible illegal activities. I'd have to double-check my notes and everything in that box."
"If we go in this direction, you'd have to go into government protection."
“No. I don’t trust anyone else.”
I sighed and exhaled sharply. "If we go this route, I have a suggestion. I know someone that I can trust in the Central Bureau of Investigation and would
Keegan POV:"She had that hidden in her desk," she said, her brow furrowing. "I had someone sit with the class while I had a meeting with a parent last week. She had done that in the forty minutes I was gone. Now, your wife said that Clarissa had issues that related to a trauma in her past, but she obviously hadn't shown any of that besides her lack of wanting to paint or write here.""I'm sorry, but what happened to her will have to remain private. All I ask is for you not to push her, it would make matters worse.""We're having a student exhibition next week, I would like for it to be displayed here. But I'm sure it would garner some questions.""Let me ask my wife how she feels about that, but I'm sure displaying it will be fine. You cannot spread the word though. All I ask is for you to keep from forcing her to talk about it.""This is highly unorthodox, Mr. Cox," she said, nearly hissing. I could tell from her demeanor that she was protective
Keegan POV:“Princess,” I whispered in the most soothing voice I could. “It will be alright.”I heard her exhale sharply. “My fault.”“No,” her mother said softly. “It is not your fault, baby.”"I…I shouldn't have…have written! He's going to find Mommy because of me!"Vianne's eyes moved up to find mine in the rearview mirror. She was scared shitless. Not that I blamed her. She continued to soothe Claire until she had her breathing under control. I managed to keep my composure but internally I was as worried as they were.Did they get them on camera? Would they find Vianne because of this? Would this force our hands and force them to leave?My cell phone rang and I answered immediately, recognizing Jarred's number. "Get to the cabins," he said in a rushed tone. "I'll send Lily and Zayne to pack some things for you. Right now, it looks like the principal and teac
Keegan POV:“Keegan, if it comes down to it, I can’t kill him with a gun,” she said softly. She ran her hands over my chest, looking away for a few seconds. “It will look like murder. I can’t risk a jail sentence.”“I know,” I whispered. “But if it comes down to it, and it is the only way out, you have to do it.”“I can lose everything if I get caught. I don’t want that.”“That is why my idea is still the best option.”“I hate the part where I have to leave Claire and you,” she sighed.“You think I like it?” I asked. “It scares the hell out of me, baby.”She nodded and was startled when the kettle whistled on the stove. Laughing it off, she started up our coffee. As we sipped our drinks, we discussed the plan to stay at the cabin until we knew for sure that the coast was clear back home. It was almost thi
[WARNING: The first part of the chapter has some explicit sexual content. Read at your own risk!] Keegan POV: Her eyes did not move away from my gaze, instead, they widened slightly and glistened as she continued to wipe away my tears. She looked so serious and intense, making me worry. Her fingers traced along my jawline, thumbing my bottom lip before she cradled my face between her hands. On the tip of her toes, she reached up to brush her soft mouth against mine. With my eyes still on her, I stilled at the gentle touch of her lips. It wasn’t until she swept my bottom lip between hers that I moved. I groaned, unable to resist such a tempting invitation. My arms encircled her waist and hips, lifting her up and pressing her fully against me. Gasping and breathless, she pulled back enough to say, “I love you.” The desperation and relief I felt were instant. I grabbed her face, looking in her eyes, finding the truth behind her words within them. She met my gaze with the same intens
Keegan POV:Vianne laughed as she wrapped herself around us, making her daughter giggle more.“I was from the first day,” I murmured, kissing her temple and turning to do the same to Vianne.Vianne winked. “I think we need an emergency family day today.”“I agree,” I said, grinning while Claire fist-bumped. “How about we go on a hike or a run?”“Sounds great!” Claire said as I set her on her feet. “How long will we stay here?”“Awhile, princess,” I replied, hoping that she understood.She nodded. “I am going to change.” She ran down the hallway to the bedroom we chose for her the night before. “I will be ready in a bit, Dad!”My heart tightened in my chest as I watched her go. I felt Vianne’s arm wrap around my waist, clutching to my side. “Are you sure you don’t mind?” I asked, wrappin
Keegan POV:I nodded in agreement, closing the distance between us. "I'll suit up in a bit."She smiled and rolled her eyes. "About time you realized you rather it be you than these brutes throwing a punch at me.""Sweetheart," I growled. "I don't want anyone to raise a hand to you, but I realized that for me to feel better about what's coming that I need to teach you. I can beat all these assholes in a match and if you can stand toe to toe with me, then you can against Brant.""Like I said, about time you realized it."I rolled my eyes, palming her ass, earning a tiny squeal of surprise and laughter. The mood that the news of Clement's arrival created seemed to disappear as she allowed her walls to come down long enough for me to see all of her.Her arms pulled me close, against all that warmth and softness. In the week since our arrival to the cabin, she honed her body to something lethal. We utilized all that she learned as a child, with
Keegan POV:That of course meant that Brant also had someone in his pocket, it was the only way their case was overlooked."He didn't come with me, Claire," Clement said, setting her on her feet.She looked up at him, her bottom lip trembling. "But our wedding is in three days."In everything that had happened since she announced her pending "marriage" to Dennis, we had forgotten all about it. When the first tear fell down her cheek, Vianne knelt in front of her."Baby, Dennis had to go do something that will help you and me."Claire wiped at her tears, sniffling. "He did?"Yes, and I'll make you a promise," she whispered, meeting my eyes over Claire's shoulder. "When this is all over, and we're all safe, there will be a wedding." That should make Claire happy, but something in Vianne's gaze, telling me her words meant more. "Right, Keegan?"My heart pounded in my chest, the look in her eyes said it all. It wouldn't be Dennis and
Keegan POV:The smile on her face was gorgeous. “You sure you don’t mind me asking first?”“No,” I whispered, taking her face in my hands. “But I will be ding it properly when we get back. You hear me?”She sighed and rolled her eyes. "You're a man, I get it." Laughing, she took my hand and led us toward the open field a ways from the main cabins.On the soft grass, we had sectioned off an area for practicing and honing Vianne's skills. She stretched for several minutes while discussing something with Zayne. They were going first since he was as agile as she was and a good partner.Clement and I stood well outside the ring and watched as they started to circle each other. The look on their faces was completely opposite from the other. While Zayne looked like the fierce warrior, ready to take on his latest opponent, Vianne, on the other hand, seemed passive as if it was any other day.The mask she had
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