Page 29 of Keegan's Promise

I stare at him, not sure how to respond.

“Giant owns a private security firm,” Keegan murmurs into the silence. “Finn runs a cybersecurity company. He’ll be working to ensure any trace of you stays hidden. And Jude here is a lawyer.” Keegan pauses. “Your lawyer.”

“My lawyer?” I gape at him. “Why do I…?” My stomach churns as realization dawns. “The stuff I stole,” I guess.

Keegan jerks his chin in a nod, grimacing. “Jude will work with Dillon to ensure everything is handled.”

“You mean to ensure I don’t go to jail.”

“You aren’t going to jail, sweetness.”

“Maybe not, but I could.” I glance at the men gathered around the room, the small army Keegan gathered to keep me and our daughter safe, each chosen for their skill sets. “You should know what I’ve done if you’re going to help me.”

“You don’t owe us answers, Landry,” Finn says, the first time he’s spoken. “Whatever crimes you’ve committed, you committed with good reason. That makes you a survivor, not a criminal.”

“I doubt the law agrees.”

“Maybe not, but the law doesn’t see shades of gray,” Jude says. “It wasn’t written that way. People are different. And everyone in this room has done things the law would disagree with to protect people who deserved protection, people we care about.” He nods at Lily. “She deserves it. So do you.”

“You don’t even know me.”

“Maybe not, but we married women a whole lot like you,” Cash says. “Everyone has a past. Everyone has a story. What happened to you doesn’t make you less worthy of our protection.”

Keegan touches my cheek, drawing my attention. “He’s right, baby. You aren’t less worthy because you fought to keep our daughter safe. If anything, it makes you more worthy. Let them help you.”

I hesitate for a long moment, glancing around at the men patiently waiting for my answer, men so much different than those I’ve always known that it’s almost laughable. This is what honor looks like. It’s what loyalty feels like. I’ve done nothing to deserve it from these men, but I have it anyway.

They’re here right now, willing to fight for Lily and me simply because Keegan asked. Simply because they decided I’m worth the fight. Not because they want to own me. Not because I’m property to be bartered or sold. But simply because they’ve decided I deserve it.

“Okay,” I whisper, a lump of gratitude in my throat.

Relief flickers across Keegan’s face, his eyes falling partially closed. “Thank you,” he whispers as if I just did him a favor when, in reality, he’s been the one saving me since the day we met. He’s the one who deserves thanks, not me. But he gives it to me anyway.

Chapter Nine

Keegan

Bythetimewe’refinished talking to the MC, Landry is wrung out…but we still have one more thing to do today. One more conversation we need to have.

When Dillon knocks on the door before striding into the living room, she tenses against my side, her eyes locked on him.

“It’s okay,” I murmur, slipping my hand into hers.

She clings to my fingers like I’m her lifeline, barely breathing.

“Let’s give them a few minutes,” Cash mutters to the others, who file out without a word.

Jude stays put, prepared to act as her lawyer if necessary. I don’t think it’ll come to that, though. Dillon is a ten-toes down kind of motherfucker. He’s the best thing that ever happened to this town.

“Landry baby, this is Sheriff Dillon Armstrong,” I say, reintroducing them. “Dillon, this is Landry Corbett, and our daughter, Lily.”

“Hey, sweetheart.” Dillon keeps a respectable distance, as if he knows not to crowd her. “I came to ask you a few questions if you’re willing to talk to me.”

Landry glances over at me, a question in her eyes.

“He isn’t here about the car. He wants to talk about the MC.”

“Oh.” She swallows hard, her gaze flickering in his direction. “W-what do you want to know?”

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