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
Keegan POV:After Zayne expertly tended to my nose, we headed to the shooting range and course. Vianne had insisted that we quit since I'd been hurt, but I dismissed it immediately. We had something to prove to Clement. Vianne might not be aware of the vibe that she could care less what he thought, but it was there in her determination.I did care what he thought, though. I wanted to show him that despite the fact that I was in love with Vianne and mated with her, her safety and her training were a priority. That and we didn't just fuck as he had accused us of before.The range was set up far from the house, enough so Claire was unaware of what we were doing out there.Since we started, Vianne had been dressed in black leggings that made her ass look amazing, but had used her t-shirt on my bloody nose. It left her in her the same leggings and a cut-off tank top that tempted the hell out of me. I watched as she strapped on a gun belt and shoulder holster w
[WARNING: Things get a little frisky towards the end of the chapter. You have been forewarned.] Keegan POV: "Yes." My lips skimmed over her thudding pulse at her throat. "You were amazing," I whispered. Her body trembled beneath mine, adrenaline still coursing through her. It had never been this strong before. Maybe it was because of the others, or maybe because she had done so fucking good. "We're going to walk through those trees to a tiny one-room cabin that is ours for the night," I continued as her hands flew up and dug into my arms at the touch of my lips on hers. I had this arranged with the others beforehand since we were leaving the following night. Nothing had come up on the internet about any video with Vianne or Claire in them. Thanks to my quick exit that night at the school, it appeared that the reporter had hit a brick wall. No one would answer her questions and she quickly moved on to the next story. We still had an eye on the woman as a precaution. "There's some
[Warning: Mild sexual content in the first part of the chapter. You have been forewarned!] Keegan POV: I groaned as I kissed her neck and shoulder. She turned in my arms, taking the small bottle of shampoo from the floating tray. "You're gonna have to help me out here." Even in the water, she barely reached my shoulder. Grinning I let my chin fall to my chest. From under my lashes, I could see her concentrate on her task, gathering a thick lather, her nails gently scratching at my scalp and every touch sent my blood rushing down my spine. My hands gripped her hips, my thumbs rubbing the same path of skin along her stomach. I felt her muscles clench beneath my hands and decided that we had to get out soon because I desperately needed her. I allowed her to soap up the rest of my body, but she had avoided the place where I wanted her hands the most. The coy little smile on her face told me she knew exactly what she was doing. I growled and quickly dunked underwater, and rinsed off. Und
Keegan POV:"She's alive," Vianne whispered, her eyes brimming with tears. She blinked them away."Where are they? How did Dennis find out?""I sent him to retrieve the gun with your fingerprints from Brant, but not before he looked at all of your husband's coming and goings. Brant’s sidekick had been hiding in plain sight. I'm not sure what he planned to do, but Dennis cornered him. Thanks to the password you shared with them, as you had with your mom and Tory, he told Dennis everything. They're worried about you."Her relief was palpable, before she asked, "And the gun?""It's in our hands, Vianne." She slumped in his arms, her face burrowing against his chest. He looked alarmed for a few moments before he held her tightly against him. "Baby, now with the gun missing, Brant knows we're closing in on him."She sighed, nodding and pulling away from him. "I know. We knew it might happen."This doesn't change much for retrieving t
Keegan POV:Vianne kept her emotions from her face, but I knew her enough to see it in her eyes. The idea of Brant even touching her affected her. She nodded and removed the wig and sat down in a chair so Tess could show her the rest of her items."You've been out of the house only a handful of times, right?" Tess asked. "It has to stay that way for a while. You can't go out with your face, because once you make the news in Darwin, you run the risk of someone recognizing you here.""Yeah, Keegan already warned me about that," Vianne said, shrugging. "It sucks, but what can we do?""You can go out with another face," she said with a smile. Pulling out a few pieces, she went to work on Vianne's face. In a little over thirty minutes, Vianne had a new nose, more pronounced cheekbones, and even the shape of her chin changed. It was enough that even I wouldn't have recognized her without looking very closely."You know what this means after, right?" Edwi