Page 54 of Pirates in Calusa Cove

“Maybe it was simply the possessiveness. I don’t like that. It’s why I adore Audra. She’s a strong, confidentwoman, and you have mutual respect and trust,” Hayes said. “Julie treated Ken like a puppet, and she was his master sometimes. I didn’t much care for how controlling her family was of them.” He crooked his finger. “I loved Petra. She was great. However, I don’t want you to get pissed at me for saying this because I always thought the two of you had a great relationship, but her dad meddled in it, and you let him.”

“I know I did.” Keaton nodded. “It was hard not to. He was such a huge part of why she was the way she was, and there wasn’t much I could do about it.”

“Trinity’s good for you,” Hayes said. “If you can get your head out of your ass and stop barking orders at her.”

Keaton chuckled, shaking his head. “You are so good at taking the focus off yourself and putting it on others.”

Hayes nodded. “My point is that when I decided to focus solely on my career, women didn’t fit into my life. I didn’t want the ties that went with them. I didn’t want to think about them when I was deployed. I didn’t want a picture in my wallet or someone to worry about if I didn’t make it home. It’s hard enough to have a big family that doesn’t care all that much about what happens to me.” He lowered his chin. “I’m not bitter. I’m not lonely. I have everything I need in the family I chose. The Navy—being a SEAL—gave me more purpose than anything my previous life could’ve ever offered me. It also allowed me to accept the death of my twin in a meaningful way so that survivor’s guilt didn’t eat me alive. But now that I’m out and living here in Calusa Cove with you misfits, life is very different. It’sslower, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing because I love it here. However, I’m not blind as to what’s going on around me.” He pointed to Dawson. “You’re going to get married soon, and don’t say you’re not.” He turned his attention to Keaton. “You’re falling hard for Trinity, and if you deny it, I’ll kick your ass. And Fletcher, well, we came back in part so he could win back the love of his life.”

“What are you trying to say?” Dawson asked. “Because you’re rambling like I’ve never heard before.”

“I’ve been thinking a lot about Max lately. We were only six when he died, but he and I were everything to each other. I do know he’s part of why I’ve chosen to live my life this way, and I’m okay with that. It’s just hard when everything is changing around me,” Hayes said. “But you’re right. I do like Chloe. She’s smart, sexy, fun, and, believe it or not, she has a wicked sense of humor. This might make me sound like a total asshole, but because she doesn’t live in Calusa Cove, that makes a relationship even more appealing. We’re ships passing in the night. We can see each other without massive strings attached.”

“That doesn’t make you sound like a dick,” Keaton said. “But it does make you sound a lot like the old me.” He laughed. “One of my many tricks to not fall in love, get attached, and have some perfectly worthy girl steal my heart.”

“Anyone ever tell you you’re a romantic sap?” Hayes chuckled. “Are you boys satisfied now? Can we drop the subject of my love life? Will you stop picking on me and leave Chloe alone?”

“Absolutely not,” Dawson said. “What fun would that be? Besides, have you stopped busting my ass about Audra?”

“Speaking of her… Were you ever going to tell us about ring shopping?” Keaton shifted his gaze. “Seriously, dude. When do you plan on popping the question?”

Dawson smiled like a big kid. “Last night.”

“You dirty dog.” Hayes crumpled up his napkin and tossed it at Dawson. “Why didn’t you say anything when I saw you this morning?”

“Because we got talking about other things, but I’m telling you now.” Dawson puffed out his chest.

“I have to know,” Keaton said. “How’d you do it? Did you fumble it all up? Or did you do it right?”

Dawson smacked his hand on his forehead. “She found the ring in the glove box on the ride home. She slipped it on her finger and informed me that she wasn’t wearing a white dress. That she wasn’t wearing a dress at all. That she wanted to have a small ceremony, just friends, with the justice of the peace, maybe at Mitchell's Marina.”

“That sounds like Audra.” Keaton slapped Dawson on the back. “Congratulations, man. That’s awesome, even if it’s the worst proposal I’ve ever heard.” He glanced at his watch. “I better get going. I don’t like leaving Trinity this long.” He stood. “I’ll see you all later. Thanks for everything.”

“Watch your back, and call if you need anything,” Dawson said.

“I will.” He approached the counter to order Trinity’scoffee and food. For the first time in a long while, Keaton had someone other than his friends and Foster to care about. Someone else to think about. To consider.

It added a little spring to his step. It supercharged the blood in his veins.

And it utterly terrified him.

CHAPTER 11

Three full dayshad passed since Trinity had woken in the hospital. Three full days of being waited on by Keaton and her dad. Three full days of going stark raving mad. If she didn’t get out of the house, she was going to lose it and fast.

Keaton rarely left her side. If he did, one of his buddies was at the house. Or one of Dawson’s deputies. But soon, he would have to go back to work since he was head of Fish and Wildlife for Calusa Cove. That made him grumpy. Not the job. Just that he’d have to return when not a single solid lead had come their way.

Dawson was working tirelessly around the clock. He’d been on the phone with the FBI and in constant contact with the police chief over on Marco Island. But they’d learned absolutely nothing. Not one clue.

Charlie had an alibi, though Keaton still wanted to keep a close eye on him, and he kept asking her weird questions.

Trinity wondered if he knew she’d been pregnant.Her father swore he hadn’t told him, and she believed her dad. Still, something had triggered Keaton’s desire to know about that relationship.

Fenton texted her at least three times a day and had sent flowers two more times. She didn’t respond, which spurred him to accuse Keaton of controlling her actions. Ridiculously, Fenton had begged her to hide in the bathroom and give him proof of life.

Her dad had finally told Fenton that she was just dandy, healing nicely, and that Keaton was taking good care of her.

She was sure that hadn’t gone over well, but she didn’t care.

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