Page 59 of Savage Promises (Quinlan Empire #2)

Lennox - September

T he Quinlan Empire jet cuts through the sky like a blade. Shane’s hand rests protectively on my stomach, a constant reminder that we, this baby and I, are his.

I glance out the window, watching the California landscape grow larger in the distance. It’s been months since the night at Luxe. Months of rebuilding everything. My club and my life with Shane.

But never my trust. He’s always had that and I always knew deep in my heart he couldn’t have cheated on me. He explained that Griffin put that clause in the prenup for Neve and he didn’t even know it was there. The same as me.

I only had to build my belief that we could have it all. That I was worthy. Even if I was a Donnelly.

This trip was even his idea. To see Neve’s first match at USC.

When we land in Los Angeles, we rent two cars, a Mustang for us and an SUV for Creed and Dorian. He’s back as my guard after a few surgeries from a bullet to his shoulder and months of physical therapy to rebuild his strength.

The hot southern California sun is relentless, but the campus is beautiful. Palm trees line the quad walkways, a beautiful fountain at the center, and green hedges that spell out USC.

Students bustle in lively conversation, walking to their classes. The energy of this school is bright and full of possibilities. We follow a map to the athletic center and then I see her.

Neve is on the practice court, her long golden ponytail swinging as she jumps to spike the ball over the net. Her arm completely healed, she looks healthy, happy, and thriving in this environment.

When she spots me, she lights up and signals her request to come off the court. Waiting patiently for her replacement, she smiles and bounces in my direction.

“Lennox!” She runs across the court and practically tackles me with a hug. “I missed you, Lenny.”

Her exuberant greeting makes me laugh with delight. “God, I missed you, too.”

I really missed this Neve. The sweet little sister I remember.

“I can’t believe you’re here.”

“We’re here,” Shane says, his voice strong and authoritative.

“Thank you, Shane.” Neve melts into my embrace.

My eyes tear up as I watch my husband smiling at us over her head. He has a sister and three brothers. He knows how I need this.

“How long are you staying?” Neve asks.

“For the weekend.” I smile and twist her soft hair in my fingers. “We’re here for your first match-up.”

Her face contorts into something ugly. “Lennox...”

“What?” I worry I broke us already.

She pulls me aside and whispers, “Does Shane really forgive me?”

I smirk. “He’s over it. I promise.”

Shane chuckles, having heard her, and wraps an arm around me. “We’re good, kid. Just keep your head on straight. And always come to us if you need something. Don’t get sucked into the wrong crowd. No one will take care of you like your sister.” Shane kisses my nose. “My wife.”

Neve’s gaze flicks down, and for the first time, she notices the way Shane’s hand is cradling my stomach. Her eyes widen. “Wait. No. No way! ”

I bite my lip and nod. “Yes, way.”

Neve lets out a shriek that has her teammates looking at us. “Oh my God, I’m gonna be an aunt!” She hugs me again. “We’ve been talking once a week. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“To see this reaction in person.” I hug her.

“Donnelly!” Neve’s coach blows a whistle for her to get back on the court.

“Gotta go.” She kisses my cheek and jogs off with a shy smile to Shane.

I wave at the coach, a young, attractive brunette in a white polo shirt and red shorts.

“Let’s sit.” Shane steers me to the bleachers to watch Neve play.

She’s clearly the star of the team.

I glance at my husband, who’s smiling behind his Aviators. He never moves his hand from my stomach, his thumb absentmindedly stroking small circles over my sundress. And not two minutes go by when I don’t feel his warm breath on my neck and a nibble on my ear.

He catches me watching and tilts his head. “What? I can’t kiss my wife?”

I shake my head, my chest aching in the best way. “It’s still hard to believe we got here. We made it.”

“We made it, Lennox. But the ride has just begun.” He kisses my forehead.

The practice ends and Neve waves as she goes into the locker room to change. She has classes the rest of the day.

Shane and I stroll the campus enjoying just being us and not a mafia power couple. Even with two guards following us close behind in dark suits and shades.

The warm breeze sifts through the air, and the sweet smell of the nearby ocean is invigorating. We get back to the convertible Mustang, rented in tribute to the night we first kissed .

Sighing, I say, “Are you ready for the next stop?”

“For you?” He leans over and kisses me. Again. “I’m ready for anything.”

We drive to the address in my phone while Dorian and Creed follow us in a separate SUV.

In a quaint coffee shop near the USC campus, we find Garrett working behind the counter, sleeves rolled up, and steaming milk like he actually enjoys making coffee and waiting on people. Maybe it’s humbling for him. He needed a reset.

When he looks up and sees us, something I haven’t seen in years flickers across his face. A genuine smile for me.

Garrett joins us at a table and slides Shane a coffee and me a fruity tea with lots of ice. “On the house, kids.”

I sometimes forget Garrett is older since I’d been taking care of him for so long.

Shane drapes his arm across my shoulders. “Thanks, Gar.”

“How long have you worked here?” I ask, sipping the delicious tea with a hint of lavender and hibiscus.

“I run it.” Garrett smirks. “The owner wants to retire. Offered me a stake in it. Figured it was a good deal.”

I glance around. The place is clean, trendy, and busy with students and professors sitting at nearly every table. A relaxed buzz of conversation fills the air. It’s so different from New York and all the tension.

For the first time in a very long time, Garrett looks happy and content. Not like he’s missing out on something or being cheated.

“Can you sit with us for a while?” I ask, patting the seat next to me.

“No. I have to get back. I’m short-handed today.”

“Don’t let us bother you.” I gesture kindly that it’s okay to leave us. “We’re here for the whole weekend. Tomorrow is Neve’s first match. Are you coming?”

Garrett nods slowly. “You bet.”

“Garrett, I need you,” a woman from behind the counter calls to him.

Smiling, he gets up. “I’ll catch you guys later.”

We take our drinks to walk more in the sunshine and then check into our rental home by the ocean with an infinity pool. The guards are staying in a hotel nearby.

We strip out of our travel clothes and my husband makes passionate love to me on the bed, the sofa, and a chair facing the ocean.

Not outside. No one sees what’s his.

Calls from back home come in and my husband takes them, delegating his authority. My father is still missing. Or dead. I don’t know. I don’t care. Shane’s family has completely embraced me and they’re thrilled about our baby.

We fall asleep to the sound of the waves and close out a perfect day.

Neve’s match the following afternoon is exciting.

After they sweep all five games, she introduces us to her boyfriend, a lovely sophomore on the rowing team for USC.

Shane will check him out of course. We have lunch with them and Garrett, and it all just feels gloriously normal. I think Shane senses it as well.

This is a place where we can just be us. And I can tell we’ll be visiting here a lot. Shane has already asked about the price to purchase that rental house.

We say our goodbyes Sunday night before our flight back to New York.

Garrett gives me a serious look while Shane is on the phone. “Are you happy, Lenny?”

I want to glance in Shane’s direction, but that means I’m only happy because of him. I’m happy because I have the exact life I want. “Yeah. I am. ”

Garrett watches me for a beat longer, then smirks. “About time. Get out of here and don’t be a stranger. Take care of my best friend.”

It warms me that deep inside he still thinks of Shane that way. I hope one day Shane can get past everything. Get back to trusting my brother like he did so long ago.

My mind is spinning with happiness from a great weekend. No drama. Just pure joy. Neve is safe. Garrett is happy.

Somehow, despite all the ups and downs everything fell into place.

“I love you.” Shane cups my jaw, his thumb tracing the edge of my cheek. “I promised I’d fix everything, Lennox.”

“I love you, too, Shane.” Tears well in my eyes, but I don’t stop the smile that spreads across my lips.

And I don’t think I ever will.