Page 25 of Keegan's Promise

“Come here,” Keegan murmurs, his voice soft.

I peel my eyes open to see him holding out his hand toward me. Of course I take it. Like a freaking moon being drawn into his field of gravity.

His arms close around me, and even though I shouldn’t, I burrow in, burying my face in his throat. I let him hold me, hoping maybe he can stitch all my broken pieces into something that makes sense again.

He did it once before.

That day in Colorado Springs, he gave me strength in a way nothing ever has. I felt powerful when I left his room. Even though it broke my heart to leave, I left with a purpose beyond just running. This time, I wasn’t runningfromsomething. I was running to protect something that mattered. Him.

It made all the difference in the world.

I didn’t bend or break. I protected him. And then I protected our daughter. I want to keep doing that…protecting them. But I want to do it here, with them. Not locked away as some MC slave. Not sold to the highest bidder. Not buried in a shallow grave, wherever Garrick decides to stash my body.

Keegan places his hand beneath my chin, tipping my head back until our eyes meet. With deliberate slowness, he dips his head, brushing his lips across mine.

I can’t fight the whimper climbing up my throat. I can’t fight the way my body responds to him. I can’t fighthim.

“I’m going to keep you and Lily safe, Landry,” he vows against my lips as if reading the turmoil in my mind. Before I can respond, he sweeps me up into his arms.

I cling to his shoulders as he crawls onto the bed and then lays me out. My heart beats a thousand miles a minute when his lips brush mine again. But he doesn’t take it any further. He simply groans and rests his forehead against mine momentarily before settling beside me.

Once he’s pulled the blankets up over us, he pulls me into his arms, his lips brushing my crown. “Sleep, sweetness. I’ve got you.”

I’m too tired to argue.

My eyes close, and I sleep harder than I have in a long time.

My dreams are the same as usual. That day with Keegan. Running. Garrick and the MC cornering me in an alley in St. Louis. The hopeless realization that there is no escape this time.

I jerk awake with a gasp as Garrick lunges for me.

My heart jolts against my ribcage in an unsteady rhythm.

“Lily,” I gasp. I need to get my daughter. I need to protect her.

“Easy, Landry baby,” Keegan rumbles, wrapping one arm around my waist before I can lunge from the bed. “She’s safe. She’s asleep in the bassinet.”

I crane my neck, only drawing a breath when I see her sleeping peacefully, one fist pressed against her lips. My entire body goes weak.

I collapse back against Keegan, shivering.

“Are you okay?” he murmurs, brushing strands of hair away from my face.

“Yes. How long was I asleep?”

“A few hours. You were having nightmares?”

I jerk my chin in a nod, avoiding his intense gaze. “I should feed and change her again.”

“I already did.”

My eyes widen. “You did?”

“Mmhmm,” he hums, still watching me. “Found a bottle and formula in her diaper bag.”

I stare at him, my heart fluttering. He’s fallen so easily into the role of daddy. It’s beautiful and devastating at the same time. So much time was stolen from him already. It’s really not fair.

“I’m sorry,” I rasp.

---