Page 16

Kenna

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Kingsley's hand rubbed her stomach as he lazily let her nipple pop out of his mouth. She sighed, having orgasmed moments ago. It was so tempting to stay in bed all day and ignore the fact that she had to go to the bar that afternoon to work, and Kingsley was due at the clubhouse for a meeting.

She turned to face him. "Stay with me for a bit longer. Forget about the motorcycle club. We can hide in the room until I go to work."

He chuckled, but his eyes were serious. "You know I can't do that. Gem Haven doesn't run itself."

She pouted. He kissed her forehead before getting out of bed.

She sighed, sitting up to watch him gather his clothes. Knowing she wouldn't change his mind, she reluctantly slid off the bed and walked into the bathroom. The warm shower cleared her mind and put energy back into her body. Hopefully, work would go by fast, and she could come back to the house and enjoy her time with Kingsley.

After wrapping a towel around her hair, she grabbed another to wrap around her body. Going into the bedroom, she found Kingsley on the phone. She quickly picked out her clothes, slipped into a pair of panties, and put on a bra.

"Thanks for letting me know." His tone was all business.

She frowned, but he winked, reassuring her that everything was okay.

"I'll be up there in a few minutes. Thanks, Big John." Kingsley disconnected the call.

"Everything okay?" She pulled on a pair of shorts and snapped the waist closed.

"Big John checked in on Zora earlier, and the medicine seems to have worked. She's more herself and wants to apologize for the trouble she caused at the bar." Kingsley ran his hands down his face.

"It's sad that she feels like she's done something wrong when how she feels is out of her control." Kenna put on her shirt. "I hope you understand that how she acted wasn't coming from her but her mental illness."

"I get it, even if I don't understand it." Kingsley tied his boots. "I'm not going over to see Zora today. To much stuff to get done with the club. I'll check in with Zane and see if he wants to go over there tomorrow."

She nodded. They'd talked a little about what they could do to help Zora, but Kingsley was hesitant to change anything until he talked to his dad to find out why he had Zora hidden away in the hunter's cabin.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

Kenna startled, looking at Kingsley. He got up from the edge of the bed to open the bedroom door.

As soon as he turned the handle, River burst inside, looking wildly around the room. Once she connected with Kenna, she hurried to her sister's side.

"The prison called. Zane's talking to them now," she said breathlessly. "Come downstairs. He mentioned Dad's name."

"Seriously?" Kenna's heart skipped a beat. "Do you think this is it?"

"I don't know. Come on."

She grabbed River's hand, and together, they rushed downstairs. Excitement and anticipation filled her. Maybe her dad had changed his mind and decided to let them see him.

As they reached the bottom, Kenna could see the tension on Zane's face as he held the phone tightly against his ear. The room's heavy silence amplified the importance of the moment. She hadn't seen her dad for over nine years, believing he was dead until only recently.

Kingsley joined them, his gaze fixed on his brother, awaiting the news with them. The sudden possibility of seeing her dad stirred a mixture of hope, fear, and confusion within her. She squeezed River's hand, finding comfort in having her sister by her side as they moved forward with their lives.

River whispered, "Can we—?"

Zane held up his hand, stopping her from asking. Kenna inhaled deeply, understanding her sister's impatience. The moment she received validation that her father was alive, she'd wanted to see him.

"Thanks." Zane disconnected the call and met Kingsley's gaze before directing his attention to River and Kenna. "He's given his approval for your visit, but—"

"We can go." She grabbed River, swaying back and forth.

The relief was so deep she could barely stand. Finally, she was going to see her dad. All the questions about their mom's death that had gone unanswered will finally come out, and she can learn why he faked his own death. She was going to spend every moment that she could with him.

"But!" Zane broke through their celebration. "You must request a visitation and wait until the on-call judge grants you permission. It's not a done deal until you get the judge's signature on your form."

"We'll do it." She squeezed her sister. "I just know it'll work out. It has to."

"We'll do it first thing on Monday." River moved over to Zane and hugged him. "Thank you."

"It wasn't me." Zane's mouth tightened underneath his beard.

Kingsley palmed the back of Kenna's neck. "Dad must've got word to him, gave him my number, and that's why the prison called me regarding a visit for both of you."

"I don't care who did it. I'm grateful that we're finally going to see him." She pressed her hand to her chest. "God, I can't believe this. I was too scared to hope."

"Just remember, it's not a done deal," reminded Kingsley.

"I know." But there was no way she would believe the visit wouldn't go through. She had to think positive.

"I need to get up to the clubhouse." Zane guided River away from them. "Do you still plan on going to the campground and filling in for Phil?"

"Yeah." River opened the door. "I'll walk out with you."

River caught Kenna's gaze and held up crossed fingers. She, in return, held up her fingers. This was their first positive sign that it would be possible to see their dad again.

"Are you going to the bar now or waiting until three?" asked Kingsley.

"I'll wait." She grabbed the edges of his vest. "What do you think the chances are of the judge letting us see him?"

"Let's not do this." He kissed her swiftly. "One day at a time. If you start worrying now, you'll drive yourself crazy."

"Some would say it was too late. I'm already crazy." She kissed him back. "Crazy for you."

"Better be, brat." He smacked her ass. "I'll see you later."

The towel wrapped around her wet hair unraveled. She caught the material, refastening it at the base of her neck.

Kinsley growled, eyeing her. She warmed, knowing that look. Knowing how he made her feel when he got that expression.

She stepped toward him. He grabbed her hips, keeping her away.

"I need to go." He kissed her quickly. "I'll swing by the bar after the meeting."

"Hurry," she whispered.

His gaze darkened as he backed away from her.

"I love you," she mouthed.

He stopped. His chin hit his chest, and he placed his hand over his heart. Pat. Pat.

She melted.