Page 28

Kingsley

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The grasshoppers chirped, only going silent when a motorcycle revved to life at he clubhouse at the top of the hill. Kingsley held on to Kenna, even though his legs had gone numb several minutes ago.

Sitting on the ground, his legs spread out so she could sit between them, he rubbed her bare arms to keep the night chill off her skin.

"I wish it was morning." She yawned.

After returning from the prison, the girls came home determined to hunt for some package their dad had left them. Because of the late hour, he'd insisted that they try and eat something and then relax. Today had taken its toll on them.

"Until we know where to start, there's no use running around wild and wasting time." He kissed the top of her head.

He and Zane knew where to start. But there was nothing they could do tonight. They needed to talk to their dad. Ridge Stafford was the link between Burt Shay and his daughters, and Kingsley had a feeling his dad knew where to find the mysterious package left to River and Kenna.

She yawned again and laid her head on the front of his chest. He held her tighter.

"We should go inside and go to bed," he whispered.

"I don't want to close my eyes."

"Why not?"

"Because I'll see my dad's face and I..." She shivered. "He looked so different."

Death Row would change anyone, but Kenna hadn't seen her dad in ten years. He'd gone through a lot—it aged a man. He'd seen the same thing happen to his dad.

"I'm not like River," she mumbled.

River had fallen asleep in Kenna's car on the way back to Gem Haven, which he'd driven down to southern Idaho for the visit so they could all go together. She'd cried until exhaustion hit. Zane had carried her into the house, fast asleep.

Kenna hadn't shed a tear. She'd jumped into trying to figure out the mystery behind the package, more determined to keep in contact with her dad in whatever way possible. All her talking had only added more stress to her life.

"I never asked him if he was guilty," she whispered.

He stilled, knowing she'd never voiced her thoughts on her father's crimes. She remained her dad's biggest supporter, believing in him when River so easily believed the story that Tom Pruitt aka Burt Shay was dead.

"I don't want to know anymore." She turned and faced him. "Is that bad?"

"Nah." He kissed her forehead. "He owns his crimes. They're not yours. There's no use punishing yourself for something he may have or may not have done."

She lowered her chin to her chest. "I just wish I knew what changed. How did we go from being a family with two parents that loved us to living the most traumatic, secretive life I could ever imagine?"

"Life's hard. People change." He sighed.

She snapped her gaze to him. "Have I been good enough for you?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Since the day you introduced yourself to me and promised to make sure I was protected and safe, our relationship has revolved around me." She blew out her lips. "I led you across states—"

"Stop."

"I'm serious." She pushed to her feet. "You brought me here, and I've been so set on finding my dad and talking to him that I haven't given you enough attention."

"I don't need attention."

She scoffed. "You found out your mom lives on the other side of the mountain in a cabin and has been there for most of your life—you missed out on having a mom. Tell me how that's different from having a mom die? I should've helped you—"

"There's nothing to help with. It is what it is." He shifted to stand up, and pins and needles stabbed his feet as blood rushed into his legs. "Fucking hell."

"What's wrong?" She kneeled down beside him. "Is it your chest?"

He groaned, trying not to move until he got more feeling back in his feet. "What?"

"Are you having chest pain?" She put her hand on his stomach.

He'd almost laugh if his feet weren't hurting. "I'm not dying."

"You never know." She frowned. "You're old. Older."

"Brat," he muttered.

"Seriously. What's wrong?"

"Sat too long on the ground, my feet are asleep." He got to his knees and pushed up to his full height. "Fuck."

A soft snicker mingled with the crickets. He shot a look at Kenna. She'd covered her mouth to stifle her amusement, but her eyes twinkled in the light coming off the back of the house.

He took a step toward her. Pain prickled his foot. He grabbed his leg, groaning in discomfort. She came to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He picked his right foot off the ground. Relief flowed up his leg. Any small movement made his nerves tingle like a thousand red ants crawling up his ankle to his calf.

He looped his arms over her shoulders, holding her in place. "Stay still."

"Better?" she asked.

"As long as I don't move." He let his head fall back and looked up into the star-speckled sky. "It's been a long day."

"Mm-hm." She pressed against him. "I don't think we thanked you and Zane for taking us to see Dad. We appreciate all you've done for us—before we came here and after. I don't know what I'd do without you in my life."

He didn't want her thanks. If not for his dad, he wouldn't be in the spot of lying to Kenna throughout the years and pretending her father was dead. If it were up to him, he would've told her the truth and let her deal with everything as it came to her instead of unloading the reality of her life onto her all at once.

"Let's go in and go to bed." He limped a dozen steps until the blood returned to his feet. "We need our sleep. You never know what will happen tomorrow in Gem Haven."

She smacked his ass. "Don't say that."

He chuckled. "Don't worry. You'll get used to the excitement around here."

He grabbed her hand, leading her upstairs. If he could, he'd change everything for Kenna. But this was his life. He couldn't think of a better one.

He had a woman he loved.

A club that surrounded him.

And he lived in the most beautiful place on earth.