Moonlight Moments (Steele Family Book 2) Page 12

  I watch him leave on his motorcycle, the air pushing out of my lungs.

  Family business to discuss. I can hear the hidden threat behind his words. I haven’t seen Ace in more than two years, about the same time he would have made sure Granny could not leave this town, knowing one day I would come back and he could keep tabs on me once again.

  *

  Walking into Nelly’s, my eyes scan for Sloan. They rake over each table and seat at the bar, only to see her missing from the floor.

  “Hi there, handsome.” Molly’s soft voice tries to hold my attention as I look around the room. The night is quiet, being that it’s not a weekend.

  “Was Sloan already cut?” I ask, hoping I’m not too late to walk her home.

  “Oh no.” Looking down at her, I see her batting her lashes like she did in high school. Wanting no part of that, I try to sidestep her, when her voice has me pausing. “She’s out back… with her husband.”

  My body stiffens under her words, confused by them.

  Molly doesn’t notice my tension and continues on. “He’s so handsome he would give you a run for your money around this town.” She sighs, probably dreaming of the guy. All I can think is how Sloan’s ex-boyfriend must have cornered her at work.

  “They make such a cute couple,” Molly gushes as I hurry to the back. My long strides make the back door come into view fast.

  Pushing my hand out to open the door, I step outside.

  It takes one look at Sloan to know something is wrong. Her face is white with a marred frown. I notice her fingers are positioned as if she just had a smoke. Looking around the area, I see it is vacant of anyone else.

  “What’s wrong?” I ask, Molly’s words still trying to pepper me with doubt.

  “Ace was here.” She looks shell-shocked. Closing the gap, I bring her into my arms. “He wants me back in the family business.” Her voice is hardly audible.

  “He’s not your family,” I correct her.

  “That’s where you’re wrong,” she says on a sigh, her body shaking in my hold. “By law, he’s still my husband.”

  My heart stops working for a moment, and I squeeze my eyes shut but keep my grip on her. I already never would have liked the guy, but knowing he had Sloan has me wanting to rip him apart. I don’t understand how he could have let go of such a great person.

  “Do you love him?” I venture to ask, knowing her response will change everything.

  “No. I’m not sure I ever truly did.”

  That’s all of an answer I need. We each have our own past. Who am I to judge someone else’s mistakes? What matters is the here and now.

  CHAPTER 28

  My heart is pounding, ready to break, instantly the words leave my mouth, confessing to Kellen I am married. My stomach drops; the only thing holding me up is the railing. I wait for that disappointed look, the resentment to cover his face.

  He takes a step back, shocked by my admission. I’m sure he must be thinking the worst about me. I am right now. Who gets involved with another man while married?

  I think I may throw up. My world spins, making it harder to focus. Instead of him storming off—the least I expect—he steps forward, holding me tight. So tight I don’t think my legs are keeping me up, he is.

  I can feel the first silent tear escape, landing on his shirt. Who is this man, and where the hell did he come from?

  “I’m so sorry I never told you. I’ve tried to divorce—” My words are soothed by his hands running through my hair.

  “I got you, and no one will hurt you,” he promises me, making my heart crack fully open for him. I love this man; I can’t help it. He’s impossible to push away and keeps coming back sweeter and more attentive than ever. No woman, even me, would have the strength to deny his advances and not fall hard at his feet.

  I get the reason why the women in Three Rivers have that gleam in their eyes when he comes around. It’s that natural charm he has, with that whole bad boy stigma Three Rivers will not allow him to let go of. It’s a deadly combination.

  “You don’t need to be so sweet,” I drawl as I try to clean the tears from my face. I’m not the girl who cries. I hate crying.

  My feet have steadied themselves and are now holding me up. I try to pull away, but Kellen won’t loosen his hold.

  “You deserve more than what I can offer you.” He leans back, looking at what must be a messy, blotchy red face. His eyes feel like they’re searching my soul with their intensity. I can’t fight that much power.

  He brings up my wrist, the one with the scribed Love me for who I am, and presses his lips to the words. The act causes me to tear up all over again.

  “I would never change anything about you.” His soft breath flutters over me, making me speechless. All my thoughts halt, except that Kellen is perfect. No one has ever been perfect in my eyes before. Yet, this man in front of me has swept me off my feet, causing me to believe in myself. In him. In us.

  Our lips meet, and I melt against him once again. It’s compassionate and soft. Our tongues stroke across each other lazily, his sweet taste mixing with mine.

  I can hear the door scrape back against the concrete, signaling that our time alone is over.

  “If you can’t cover your shift today, I need to call Becca in,” Molly says from behind me, sounding annoyed.

  “Call Becca in.” Kellen’s strong voice echoes around us. I want to tell them otherwise, but one look at my face and the rumor mill will start flying rampant about it.

  I can feel my eyes rolling in frustration, hating that I can’t cover my shift. I was counting on today’s money.

  Molly huffs, clearly not expecting that answer. I can feel myself shrink, hating that I’m letting them down. I know how it feels, and it eats at me.

  The door slams, and Kellen doesn’t allow the silence to come. “Becca won’t be mad. I’ll explain to her.”

  All I can do is nod against him and hope this won’t affect the number of shifts I get.

  “Come on, let’s get you home.” His body nudges me toward the parking lot.

  CHAPTER 29

  When I wake up the next morning, I give myself a pep talk about going to see Becca myself. I refuse to let Ace run me out of this town. This is my home. As much as I would like a redo from yesterday, I know better.

  The pillow beside mine is still warm, indicating Kellen must’ve just gotten up. My arms go above my head as I stretch out, trying to wake myself up. My body twists with relaxation.

  The loud chime of my doorbell has me stiffening before I sit up. The only place there’s a doorbell is at the front door.

  Hopping out of bed, I grab a long sweater to pull around me to try to cover my PJs.

  “Kellen?”

  I can hear the shock in the deep voice. Stepping out, I see Chance standing at the edge of my living room. His hand goes out to signify a handshake. Kellen eyes him up and down before slowly moving his hand out to complete the greeting.

  My feet move closer, wondering what the hell Chance is doing here, when I see his eyes move toward me.

  “Hi, Chance?” It comes out more like a question. No one other than Kellen has been to my house. I was under the impression no one knew where I lived.

  “I wanted to make sure you’re all right, with you leaving yesterday and all.” He looks right at me, ignoring Kellen while taking another step inside.

  “Yeah, I am. Thank you for coming by.” My arms cross, securing my sweater around me and my pajamas.

  Chance stands there, not moving, like he’s waiting for more of a response. “You sure?”

  Kellen makes a growling sound from deep within his chest, causing both Chance and me to look over at him. He doesn’t look impressed that Chance is here. His stance has widened, making him look bigger than he normally does. His biceps stretch the cuffs of his shirt, while his eyebrow curves upward. If a man can have a resting bitch face, Kellen nails it. He’s adorable.

  I can’t help myself; I walk toward him, placing a k
iss on his hard cheek. His arm comes around me, pulling me in.

  Chance dips his hat like a good ol’ country boy.

  “Thank you, Chance, for checking on me.”

  I don’t want him to be scared off by Kellen, and it warms my heart knowing there are people who worry about me.

  “Kellen Steele.” Another voice cuts through my small, outdated living room. The three of us look up to see a police badge through my open front door.

  “Officer Rhodes, to what do I owe this pleasure?” Kellen moves me to behind him as he steps forward.

  “You are under arrest.”

  I’m left standing, watching Kellen being read his rights. Something about a warrant out for his arrest because of a parole violation. I’m stunned, unable to move. I watch helplessly as Kellen turns around, his hands behind his back as the officer places handcuffs on his wrists.

  My brain works too slow for what’s happening. When I do finally speak up, it’s useless.

  “He was inside here with me all night,” I call out.

  The officer drags Kellen out of my house. “Glad to hear we have a witness.”

  I watch as Kellen is pushed into the back seat of the patrol car, and he stays silent. He doesn’t even bother to tell me it will be okay.

  A touch on my shoulder has me jumping. “Didn’t mean to scare you.” Chance’s voice is soft. “You sure Kellen is the right type of person to be so close with?”

  Yes, I’m sure! I want to yell.

  “I mean no disrespect.” His hands come up like two mini stop signs between us.

  My fingers twitch to come up to my lips; I can feel the invisible cigarette already there. All I can do is shake my head. Going back inside, I don’t bother to close the front door. I know Chance is right on my heels. I head toward my room, slamming the door before I change into some half decent clothes.

  *

  I’m too angry to open my mouth. I let Officer Rhodes push me around like he’s been waiting all his life to do this. I don’t miss how he “accidentally” hits my head on the car frame. My back teeth grind. It’s taken all my willpower not to swing at Rhodes. I know I could overpower him even with my hands handcuffed behind my back.

  I’m pushed toward the back of the station, into the same room I sat in when I was questioned about killing Brax’s girlfriend Cynthia. At least this time I’m not chained to the table.

  Walking over to the door, my voice booms out in a yell, “I want my lawyer!”

  If they want me to put on a show, I’ll give them one. My fist pounds on the door, my whole body moving with the act since I’m cuffed. It’s a pitiful attempt, but I don’t care. Walking away, I kick a chair across the room. Its bang against the wall is welcome to my ears. It has a satisfying feel to it.

  I fall into the only other chair just as the door opens. In walks Liam Walsh, looking all prim and proper in his expensive suit.

  “Don’t you look comfortable,” I observe. I scoff at how he walks in looking like a shiny knight, while I, on the other hand, have become the dragon.

  “Calm the fuck down, Steele.” He rolls his eyes, trying to make me feel small. “This was the only way I could talk to you without blowing your cover.”

  “So you sent Rhodes?”

  “He jumped at the chance.” He shrugs, while I swallow an insult that sits on my tongue.

  Liam is one of the good guys. He and David are the only people who know that I’m undercover.

  “You may have made a better show if you arrested me at the mansion.”

  “I’m sure news from Sloan will fly to Kiptyn pretty fast.” His fancy, smug face says it all.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “You and I both know what it means. You’re treading thinly here. Are you in too deep with that girl?”

  Leaning back, I raise an eyebrow, staring him down. “No.” I can feel my face tighten up in my response. “She won’t get in the way.”

  We sit there looking at each other, as he looks for any body language clues that I’ve blurred my lines too far. I know what’s at stake if I let this go to shit.

  “Anyway, guess who made a celebrity appearance?” Now it’s my turn to look like a smug, cocky bastard.

  Liam knows I’m playing with him but takes the bait. He sets up the other chair and sits, looking rather unimpressed he’s at the same level as me.

  “The one and only Ace Hill.”

  Liam actually lets out a chuckle. I’ve never seen the man laugh in my life. Even his grin is really just a slight change from his everyday look.

  “I’ll hand it to you, man. You are good at your job.”

  A compliment? I really must be on a roll today. Maybe having Rhodes take his aggression out on me wasn’t so bad. But I can’t wait to throw this all in his face.

  Liam checks his phone and begins scrawling on it. I know the protocol.

  “What is the so-called appropriate length of time I have to stay in here?” I ask, wondering if I will have to spend a night back in jail.

  “Well, it looks like it’s working in your favor. Some girl just sweet-talked your way out of here somehow.”

  “Huh. No shit. I didn’t realize that was possible.” Sloan’s round face instantly comes to mind, with those light green eyes and that long, curled brunette hair I love so much.

  “I’m writing it up as a minor misunderstanding. It works better for us if you stay out there.”

  No matter how many times the cuffs come back on, it makes me feel slimy. Liam stands up, uncuffing me, making that feeling deep inside loosen.

  “After you.” My hands gesture toward the door as I stand and follow him out. I try not to strut too much. But as soon as Rhodes comes into view, I stand taller, enjoying him cursing under his breath. I even give him a two-finger salute goodbye, just to get under his skin.

  Stepping out of the station on the concrete steps, I expect to see Sloan standing there all worried about me. Instead, I see the golden champagne hair of Molly.

  CHAPTER 30

  Disappointment would be an understatement. Molly’s arms wrap around me, her eyes brimmed red, and I try to peel her off me.

  “What are you doing here, Molly?” I ask, confused.

  “Chance called and told me you were taken in. All I could think about was that it’s happening once again, and how you must be feeling. Oh, God, how is your family? Is your dad okay?” She’s rambling, and I’m only half listening while I look around the vacant steps.

  “Go home, Molly. I’m fine.”

  Her hands are touching my arm and I hate it. “You’re lucky I was here to get you out,” she bites out, hurt and anger marring her face.

  “I don’t think your boyfriend, Sam Levy, would be pleased you’re here,” I remind her as I begin to go down the stairs.

  “Fuck you, Kellen. I was trying to be a friend, but you’re too self-centered to see that.”

  I scratch the top of my head, not understanding what’s going through her mind. Molly and I have never been friends. She is best friends with my little sister. Right there is an automatic no-zone. I can hear her crying and grumbling to herself. Maybe I was a jerk.

  I really don’t want Shay yelling at me because I was an asshole to her girlfriend. Not wanting to rock the boat any further with my siblings, I reluctantly call out, “Wait, Molly.” Her steps falter from going in the opposite direction of me.

  “I’m sorry. I am a jerk who’s in a bad mood.” I stop myself from rolling my eyes; it’s the best apology that will come out of me. The words scratch at me like nails on a chalkboard.

  She blubbers for a few seconds longer, making me wish I kept on walking. Shaking my head, I start away again, feeling uncomfortable in the silence weighing between us.

  “I can give you a ride home,” she says between sniffles. I still don’t understand her waterworks. The right side of my lips lifts up before I can mask my annoyance.

  “My trucks at Sloan’s. Mind dropping me off there?”

  Her hea
d nods slowly before a big smile takes over her face. “No problem,” she singsongs, having a miracle one-eighty turn of emotions.

  Her head nods in the direction of her car, and I follow her.

  I wonder if Sloan is still home with Chance. My fist tightens at the thought that Chance could be the one to comfort her. I don’t share, and Ace has already taken all of my patience. I stay in my own head the whole drive toward Sloan’s. Images of Sloan and Chance try to seep in, but I chase them away. I’m being irrational and jealous. I have never felt my body tighten from just a thought. It reminds me why I don’t do girlfriends. Relationships in general involved too much work and effort once feelings got involved.

  My mind switches gears as these new thoughts pummel me. What if this was all a diversion, and Ace wanted to get Sloan alone? I promised Kip I would keep her safe. Fucking Liam Walsh had to come and fuck it all up.

  I feel myself gearing up for a fight. The sensation of my blood roaring as my skin prickles is a welcome, familiar feeling. I know how to control this.

  “You sure you’re okay?” Molly looks over at me, worried.

  “Yeah.” I go back to ignoring her. The car slows, and I see Sloan’s blue car is gone. I don’t bother to say goodbye. I just get out, slamming the door.

  My palm is up as I bang hard on Sloan’s back door, confirming she’s not home.

  “Sloan,” I bellow, only for no one to respond. I can feel my lips purse into a thin line as I look around before heading into the garage. The handle opens freely, and everything is left as it was.

  Where the hell would she be? And what would be so special she would have taken her car? Sloan hates driving it. The thought that she would run enters my mind, causing my heart to pump twice as fast. She’s a runner; I saw it the first moment I met her.

  My feet feel heavy as I stomp around. Looking back at her door, I go toward it, ready to beat it down if I have to. I need to know where she is. She can’t be gone before I tell her how I feel. Instead of banging on the door, I try the handle, ready to leverage it with a hard kick. With a small twist, it opens.