Page 12 of Keeping Her Safe

Stacey

Itwist the ring around my finger, staring at the beautiful antique design. It’s only been a few hours since Darius placed it on my finger, and it already feels like a part of me. Darius told me that it was once his grandmother’s ring, and she gave it to him when she passed. Knowing the love history there makes it even more special.

We’re on our way to the house I have shared with my brother since our parents passed away. We still own our family home, but we moved out because it held too many memories at the time of their death. It was easier for us to grieve when not surrounded by constant memories. When Darius parks in the driveway, I stare up at the house, and I’m hit with a feeling of loss all over again. This place no longer feels like home. It looks exactly the same, but my home was never a place, but were the people that I needed and loved the most. It’s time for Jason and me to grow up and live our lives without clinging to each other for support. He’ll always be my superhero big brother that raised me when he didn’t have to as well as my business partner.

Grabbing my hand, Darius gives it a squeeze. “You ready?” he asks with a reassuring smile.

“Yeah, I think I am,” I say, feeling ready in more ways than one.

Darius gets out and comes around to my door, opening it for me and stretching his hand out to help me out. We walk hand in hand through my front door. We get down the foyer and a few steps into the living room when Darius quickly turns us around.

“What the-” I start to ask.

“Oh shit!” Jason says in a muffled voice.

“Jason! What are you doing?” I hear a familiar voice ask. “Wait, is that Franny?”

“Shh, little bird. Give me a second.” Jason says in a voice I’ve never heard from him before. “We’ll be out in a minute,” Jason says from further away. “It’s safe to turn around now.”

I don’t turn around until I hear his door close, but when I do, I get a good look at the living room. The sofa pillows are littering the floor with Franny and Jason’s clothing. I burst into a fit of laughter with Darius giving me a concerned look. When I'm finally able to control myself, I take a deep breath. “Come on. You don’t find this funny?” Darius shakes his head, ever the serious one. “He walked in on us yesterday and was all huffy and puffy about the situation, but then we end up walking in on him and Franny,” I say while picking up the living room.

Darius puts the pillows on the couch haphazardly. “I think the situations are a little different, Stacey.”

“How so?” I ask, fixing his pillow arrangement.

“I was hired to protect you. I should have never touched you.”

I shrug and kiss Darius’ cheek. “Tomato-tahmato. You and Franny were both on the job… Jason has nothing to be pissed about now.”

Darius' mouth twitches with a smile. “I guess you have a point.”

“A point about what?” Franny asks, coming back into the living room.

“Jason is being a bit hypocritical.”

“I’m so lost,” Franny says as Jason walks up behind her, putting his hands on her shoulders.

“Lost about what, love?” Jason asks, kissing her cheek.

“Stacey! Is that what I think it is?” Franny shouts, pulling away from Jason to walk over and grab my hand to get a better look at the ring on my left finger.

“Yeah,” I sigh softly. “Darius asked me to marry him this morning, and I said yes.”

“He what?” Jason barks, causing me to look up at him. He’s standing there with his arms crossed, glaring at Darius. I roll my eyes and wrap my arm around Darius, who’s already standing close to me. I’m about to tell my brother where he can go when Franny stops me lifting her palm up to my face.

“I’ve got this, hun.” She says, then looks at Jason and points her finger at him. “You’ve got no room to talk, Jason Lipton. After what you pulled yesterday, you should be happy I’m still here. Now I’m beginning to understand what Stacey just said.” She dares him with a look I wish I could master with her fists on her hips.

“Easy little bird. You don’t understand what’s happening here. I hired Darius’ company to find out who has been threatening Stacey.” He says, stalking toward her slowly, as if not to scare his prey.

“Someone is threatening you?” Franny grabs my hand and gives me a worried look.

My smile slips, and the reality of what’s going on hits me. “I didn’t think it was a big deal. The guy was sending me weird messages and some creepy packages. I thought it was just some socially awkward guy who had a crush on me. After the package I got yesterday, I’m not sure anymore.”

“Oh honey, I’m so sorry,” Franny says, wrapping me in a big hug.

“It’s okay.”

“It’s not okay,” Darius and Jason say simultaneously, making both Franny and I laugh.

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