Page 147 of Kylie

“Good. Let’s hope she’s in better shape than my wife was when you finally got your head out of your ass and saved her.”

I watched as his Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat. “I deserve that.”

“You’re right. You do. Hell, you deserve my fist in your fuckin’ face. But I’m tryin’ to be the bigger man here.”

“How’s that workin’ for you?”

I glanced at my watch. “Another minute and I’ll probably break.” I met his stare again. “You don’t want that.”

“No. I don’t.” Kieran exhaled heavily. “Thanks for meetin’ with me, Travis.”

“Keep me apprised of what’s goin’ on with that case,” I told him. “My wife doesn’t know her sister, but she does know what it’s like to be imprisoned by Calloway. And find that girl. Bring her home safe.”

“I’ll do my best.”

In order to avoid shoving my fist in his face, I turned and walked away. I focused on taking deep, measured breaths as I crossed the park. I didn’t feel better about what Kieran did, but at least now we’d both said our piece. Moving on was the next step.

Gage

“I’ll be up in just a minute,” I told Travis as he headed up to bed shortly before ten.

The kids were all asleep and had been since Kylie took them up a couple of hours ago. I knew exactly when they conked out because I heard the old pipes clanging when she started the shower, signaling that she was getting ready for bed.

The routine was shifting somewhat, getting back to the familiar way it had been before the nightmare she endured. There were still a few bumps in the road, but that was to be expected, no matter the situation. With five kids under the age of eight … technically, it was nine because Kate would be celebrating her eighth birthday in three days.

They grew up way too fast.

When Travis headed for the back stairs, I went to the laundry room. More specifically, I went for the junk drawer that held all the extra cables and cords. My iPhone charger kicked the bucket yesterday. If I didn’t replace it now, there was a good chance my phone would be dead come morning.

I pulled open the drawer, intending to scavenge through all the crap, but as I peered down, my eyes widened. It was no longer full of crap. Instead, it was neatly organized, complete with small plastic trays to hold the different things. Just one of the many ways Kylie managed to calm the chaos.

“God, I love that woman,” I muttered, reaching for the cord I needed.

“I like the sound of that.”

Looking up, I found Kylie standing in the doorway, a grin on her face.

“Do you always whisper sweet nothings when you’re alone with the junk drawer?”

“Maybe.” With cord in hand, I closed the drawer. “I thought you were in bed.”

“I was. Then Travis got in the shower, so I thought I’d sneak down here and see what you were up to.”

I held up the cord to show her. “Did you need somethin’?”

Kylie peered behind her as she stepped down into the laundry room to join me. I watched as she quietly closed the door behind her. When she turned back, pinning me with those soulful blue eyes, my body hardened. Every fucking inch of me.

“Whatcha doin’?” I asked, although the words came out more like a croak as she closed the distance between us.

“Whatever I have to,” she said sweetly, stopping directly in front of me.

“To what?”

“To seduce you.”

My eyebrows shot upward. “Seduce me?”

“That’s my plan.” She took a step forward, pressing up against me. Her lips moved closer to mine as she whispered, “How’s it workin’ so far?”