Page 34 of The Stolen Dagger

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

KATHERINE

I t had been about twenty minutes since we had arrived back at the mansion and were waiting in the study for my father his men to return.

While Drew and Mack talked quietly by the bookshelf across the room, Pearl and I were relaxed back into the deep, pillowy cushions of the couch with ice packs on our faces and my shoulder.

“Tell me about your new life in Oklahoma,” Pearl inquired softly.

As I filled her in, I couldn’t help but notice the dark bags beneath her eyes and how her voice had softened with each question she asked. Even though the last few days were catching up with her, she was still more than eager to know about my life.

So, I spared no detail.

I told her about Leah and how we’d met.

I told her about the self-defense classes with Drew, and then how I’d pushed him away because I was scared .

But Drew never gave up on me. He fought for me to give him another chance and then stayed by my side when Adrian found me.

Recounting it all, I realized that fear had prevented me from finding any true happiness in life.

As I looked into Pearl’s kind, blue eyes—despite what Adrian had done to her—she hadn’t lost her spirit. She was still here, holding on to my every word. And the small smile that formed the wrinkles around her mouth made me grateful for that.

After I caught her up on everything in the last year, Pearl motioned over to Drew.

“You got yourself a good one there.” She gave a knowing smile. “Easy on the eyes, too.”

I stole a glance at Drew who leaned against a bookshelf with his arms crossed over his chest, nodding at whatever Mack said.

I shamelessly admired the bulge of his biceps as they peeked out of his short-sleeve shirt. That combined with the smattering of dirt along his jaw, he looked dangerous and utterly handsome.

I practically melted in my seat.

As if he could feel my gaze on him, he looked over at us and winked.

Swoon.

A blush heated along my cheeks. The corners of my mouth pulled upward. I couldn’t help it. His smile alone made butterflies flutter inside me.

I brought a hand up to my chest as a familiar warmth spread there.

“I’m just glad you found someone worthy of you,” Pearl said. My attention moved back to her. “Someone like that is few and far between. They’re worth holding on to. From what little I’ve seen between you both, your love is genuine, and I’m so happy for you. Your mother would be proud.”

Her supportive words brought tears to my eyes, and I nodded. Mom would be proud of me, and I wished she were here with us.

The slam of a car door outside made us all turn toward the open doorway. Drew and Mack flanked Pearl and me as footsteps approached out in the hall.

A few seconds later, Roman walked into the study alone. His shirt sleeves were rolled up, exposing his forearms. Despite the dirt and the few drops of blood that stained his shirt, he looked unharmed and slightly annoyed.

When his hard, dark brown gaze landed on mine, his features softened.

“I’m glad to see you’re all right.” Roman’s gaze shifted to Pearl beside me. “I’m sorry for all the trouble you went through for helping my daughter, but I’m glad she had you to look after her when I couldn’t.”

“It’s a shame you couldn’t.” Pearl kept her chin high as she addressed him. “But we all make mistakes. It’s what we do to fix those mistakes that matter. Taking care of that troubled young man was a start.”

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 at risk, 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.”

“You’re welcome to stay here for the time being.” Roman offered. “All of you. If that’s what you want. There’s more than enough room.”

I smiled at my father. “Thank you.”