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“How are you doing?” I asked, walking into the kitchen and grabbing a beer and cider from her refrigerator. Giving her the drink, I sat on the loveseat. After talking about Wagner, the information the FBI had gathered, and the fact that Wagner was dead, I wasn’t sure I had much more to say, but I needed to see how Brie was doing. There was no way we would process this overnight.
“Numb.” She popped the tab on her can, then took a sip. Curling up in the corner of the couch, she turned to me. “Thank you for trusting me to do this.”
“Let’s make one thing clear. Under no circumstances will you work for the FBI or Pierce and Sutton.” I arched a brow at her.
“I think I need to remind you that you can pull that with me in the bedroom but not anywhere else.” She smirked at me.
“If I weren’t so drained from today, I would turn you over my knee and spank you.”
She rolled her eyes. “Promises, promises.” Brie giggled, then ran her thumb up and down the cider can. “That’s not what I want to do, so please don’t worry about it. The time I spent undercover with Wagner was enough to last me a long, long time.”
Brie set her drink on the floor, then crawled over the couch to my side. She straddled me and cupped my face. “I love you, Kane. There’s no way I could have gone through what I did if you hadn’t prepped me. Wagner …” Her shoulders slumped. “He was really sick. I don’t remember the introductory ritual, but it didn’t sound like it was a good thing.”
I wrapped my hands around her slender waist and looked at her. “You would have been raped by each elder while everyone watched. Their reasoning was to make sure you were impregnated by one of the elders,” Kane snarled. “They’re sick, twisted bastards who should be raped and thrown into a hole until they died a slow, painful death.”
Brie grew quiet. “Do you think the new elders will come after me? Are we going to live our entire lives looking over our shoulders? You’re going to be on television, Kane.”
I drew her in for a hug, and she rested her head against my shoulder. I’d asked myself that question a million times since Wagner had been released from prison. Would my career lead them straight to Brie?
“Baby, I don’t have the answer to that, but I’ve been thinking a lot about our future. What’s best for you and me as individuals and as a couple. I think we will have to wait and see what happens over the next year. We’ve been through enough, and I don’t think it’s wise to make any more decisions. Let’s settle in, finish college, and we can prepare for the rest of our lives one day at a time.”
Brie raised her head. “Okay.”
“But there’s one change I would like to make.” I slid my hands under her butt, squeezing her.
“What’s that?” She kissed the tip of my nose.
“I want you to move in with me.”
Brie stared at me as if I’d told her I had a vagina. “Are you sure? Kane, my night terrors … and I’m in therapy. I’m still a mess. And what if I never recover my memories, but what if I do?”
I pressed my mouth to hers, silencing her fears. “Do you love me, Brie?” Our eyes connected, and I gently ran my knuckles down her soft cheek.
“More than you’ll ever know.”
“Then move in with me. We’ll work through it together. If you remember, fine. If you don’t, fine. There will be times you’ll have the entire place to yourself to have your sessions and space to think. Have your friends over, Brie. Live your life. Just do it at my house instead of here.”
A smile crept over her face. “When you put it that way, how can I say no?”
My chest warmed with her answer. I pressed my mouth to hers her, losing myself in her touch, thankful she was with me instead of with Wagner. I hoped he was rotting in hell as I kissed his daughter.
ChapterFifty
Brie
Even though I was elated that I was moving in with Kane, I was nervous as hell to tell his parents during Thanksgiving, but they were excited about the news. Plus, they could rent the place out again, so it was a win all the way around. Gabby congratulated me and insisted on helping me move and unpack. I would definitely take her up on the offer. Shitty tasks were always better with your best friend.
I helped Amelia in the kitchen that sported black granite countertops and state-of-the-art stainless-steel appliances. The white tile floor offset the dark colors beautifully. Kane and Coach watched the football game, which gave me more time to get to know Kane’s mom. To my surprise, Alexandria joined the guys, yelling at the game as much as they did.
“Kane is the happiest we’ve seen him since he came to live with us.” Amelia’s smile was warm.
“Me, too. I was worried that my amnesia would interfere, but he’s attended my therapy sessions several times. Alida has helped us both.”
Amelia pulled the turkey out of the oven, then placed it on the stovetop. “I’m glad you’re both talking to a professional. Although you both have support, there’s only so much we can do. We’re not trained to help you process the trauma.”
“Alida likes him, and it’s easier when I see her on my own to talk about Kane since she knows him.” I lifted my nose, sniffing the air, my mouth watering. “I’m starving. I can’t wait to taste all of the amazing food.”
“There will be plenty of leftovers to send you and Kane home with.” Amelia wiped her hands on her white-and-red-checked apron.
