Page 92 of The Stolen Dagger
Roman nodded in return.
“What did you do with him?” I stood from the couch, setting the ice pack on the round glass coffee table in front of me.
Roman sighed and shook his head. “It’s best if you don’t know the details, but,” he looked at Drew over my shoulder and gave him a slight nod, “you won’t ever have to worry about him or any of his men again.”
I didn’t like the thought of not knowing, but I guessed it was better this way. For everyone.
Even though Drew being involved in this put his career atrisk, I was glad he was here. I wasn’t sure what I would have done without him.
Drew came up beside me then, wrapped his arm around my uninjured shoulder, and pulled me against his chest.
“What did you tell the authorities?” Drew asked, always thinking ahead. “What’s the official statement?”
“We have a handful of cops in our pocket, so we don’t have to worry too much about the pigs and their questioning, but you can tell your people that the local gang got to Adrian before you did. No one will question your involvement here.”
Ignorance is bliss.
“So, it’s over?” I asked Roman, then looked up into Drew’s serene green eyes. “It’s finally over?”
“Yeah, darlin’,” he whispered, cupping my face as his thumb stoked back and forth over my cheekbone. “It’s over.”
When he pressed his lips to mine, I melted into him.
For the past year, I was constantly looking over my shoulder, moving on from place to place with nowhere to call home. Hawthorn, Oklahoma was the closest thing I had felt to a home in a long time.
But right here, in Drew’s arms, felt like a permanent home, one I never wanted to leave.
Someone cleared their throat—loudly.
Embarrassed, I pulled away from Drew, who smiled softly and turned to the not-so-empty room.
Pearl was smiling and gave me a thumbs-up. Mack was as stoic as ever with his arms crossed over his chest, but I could just barely make out the slight twitch of his lips. Roman, however, scowled and cleared his throat again.
“I know I have no right,” Roman said, rubbing a hand over his salt-and-pepper beard, “but I’m still your old man, and I don’t want to see that.”
“Oh, hush,” Pearl chided. “I assume you were in love once,too. Let them be. I’ll tell you what. If I had a man who looked like that, we’d be doing a lot more than just kissing.”
“Eh, I don’t want to see that shit either,” Mack grumbled behind us.
I giggled nervously and tucked myself back into Drew’s side, wishing the floor would open and I’d fall through. That was a better alternative than my father reprimanding me about kissing someone in front of him.
“Anyway,” Roman said, effectively turning the conversation away from my love life. “I’m sure you are eager to return home. When you’re ready, I had Drew’s truck prepared for you to go back to Oklahoma. If that’s what you still want.”
I looked to Drew who looked back down at me.
“It’s up to you.” He rubbed his hand up and down my back.
I cast a look around the room and landed on Pearl, who smiled sadly. I’d just gotten her back. It felt wrong to leave her so soon.
I was eager to get home, but it didn’t feel right going back just yet. There was also the fact that I had left behind so many of my things—my mother’s things. Now that Adrian was gone, those memories were too important to leave behind.
“Actually, I think I’d like to stay a few more days.”
My father’s eyes widened in surprise. It might have been the lighting, but it almost looked like his dark brown eyes became misty.
“Just to spend some time with Pearl and pack up the things I didn’t get a chance to take with me before,” I added, then glanced up at Drew.
I didn’t even need to say anything before he dipped his head in a nod and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “I’ll help with whatever you need.”
