Page 125 of Behind the Shadows

I stood. “Thanks, Dope. For everything.” I approached him and grabbed his shoulder. “Text me if anything comes up.”

“Always.”

With each step up the stairs, my chest squeezed at the thought of my family falling apart. For tonight, there wasnothing else I could do except go see the woman who held my heart in her hands and start our lives together.

53

HOLLAND

For the twentieth time, I cleaned my house, waiting to hear from Kip about how the meeting went. I knew him well enough to know he needed a little extra time to process whatever went down, but my nerves were shot. If it weren’t for Dog trailing me everywhere, his tail thumping against my leg as he waited for pets, I’m not sure I could have managed the anxiety.

My cell vibrated against the granite countertop, and I nearly jumped over and cleared the island in an attempt to grab it. I groaned as I saw the call wasn’t from Kip. I picked it up and answered the FaceTime.

“Hey, Mom and Dad. How’s your trip?” I grinned at them as they came into view, the view of two large swimming pools behind them. I tried to sound perky and act as if my world hadn’t imploded in the two weeks they’d been gone. My smile was real for them, but just below the surface, I was splintering, waiting for Kip.

“We’re driving home tomorrow, honey. It’s been wonderful.” Mom adjusted her sun hat as she gave Dad a kiss on the cheek. “It’s exactly what we needed.”

“I’m so happy to hear that.”

Mom seemed more relaxed than I’d seen her in years, so something must have gone right. I didn’t miss the look in Dad’s eyes though as I realized he wanted an update.

“How are you?” he asked, his bushy gray brow arching slightly.

“I’m good. Life seems to be settling in nicely. Work is going well and—” My words cut off as Dog bounded onto the couch, smothering my face with wet kisses. Laughing, I wiped the drool from my cheek.

“Whose dog is that?” Mom asked.

I bit my lower lip. “I met someone. It’s his dog. Well, ours.”

Mom’s mouth dropped open, and she nudged Dad. “Did you hear that? She’s met someone!” She turned back to me. “Tell us everything. What’s his name? Where did you meet? What’s he do?”

Mom’s barrage of questions had me giggling. “His name is Kip. We met at Velvet Vortex.” There was no way I could tell Mom where we’d really met, but I could give Dad the full story when I had time. He’d be relieved to know that Kip had helped handle Cooper too. As far as the Pied Piper, I wanted to keep my real parents out of it and as safe as possible. Just because I shared blood with a maniac didn’t mean he was a parent. Far from it.

“Isn’t that the ritzy restaurant and club located downtown?” Dad asked.

“It is. He’s part owner.”

“How old is he?” both asked in unison.

“We’re the same age.” I made a mental note to ask Kip when his birthday was.

Our conversation continued as we made plans to all have dinner together. I hadn’t asked Kip how he felt about meeting my parents, but I could push out the meeting if I needed to.

Once we said our goodbyes and disconnected the call, I blew out a sigh, my mind returning to Kip again. Seconds later, my doorbell rang, and my heart launched into my throat. For a single awful second, I thought it might be someone else, but then I saw him.

I flipped the bolt and my eyes landed on him. Before he could say a word, I grabbed Kip’s wrist and pulled him inside, closing the door behind him. I threw my arms around him, and he wrapped his around my waist, pulling me against him.

“Are you all right?” I asked, my question muffled against his neck. “I’ve been so worried.”

“It’s a mixed bag, babe. Death stormed off, but Dope and Ella understood.”

I released him, my palms dragging down his muscular chest. “I’m sorry. I think he’ll come around though. I mean, you guys have all been so close for so long.”

Fear and sadness flashed across Kip’s face. “I’ll do everything I can to help heal that friendship, but I also need to look ahead … with you. You’re my main focus for the rest of tonight.”

“I’ll take it.” I tilted my head and kissed him softly, his touch sending shivers through me. “Are you hungry?”

“Not for food,” he growled against my mouth. “But I could use a break from everything.” He nudged my ear with the tip of his nose.