Keller’s eyes remain fixed on the phone, his grip growing tighter with each passing second.
“Can’t we just go back?” I ask, sipping on my water to try to calm my nerves.
I don’t want to be here. I want to be with Frankie.
Keller’s piercing gaze darts around the room, his tense jawline making me feel uneasy.
He shakes his head.
“We have our orders, Zara. We sit tight. We’ve shut the place down and put armed guards outside. We have to keep you and the girls safe. End of discussion.”
He looks over at his pregnant wife, who is busy with Maddie taking down some decorations, seeing as the party is officially over. “He’s just protecting you, Zara. We would all do the same.”
“I don’t need protecting, Keller.”
He hums and takes a swallow of his scotch. “Sometimes we need protecting from ourselves.”
I sigh, watching how Keller softens the second Sienna slips on his lap. His huge hand strokes her belly bump.
I wonder what I’m having. Maybe it’s a little boy with Frankie’s gray eyes and my black hair. I hope he has Frankie’s tanned skin rather than my pasty white Irish skin.
I shuffle in my seat as tears brim in my eyes.
“Are you okay, Zara?” Kai whispers beside me. I can’t speak. I just want Frankie back here. This waiting around is killing me.
“Not really,” I whisper back, wiping away a stray tear.
Placing my hands on my belly, I have to focus on them. I have to be strong.
I look up to see Sienna and Keller are both watching me with confusion on their faces. If anyone can understand, it will be them.
“I’m pregnant,” I blurt out.
Keller’s eyes widen. “Well, congratulations.” The shock is clear in his voice.
“Oh, Zara.” Sienna jumps off her husband’s lap and rounds the table, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. “It’s all going to be okay, I promise,” she says in her soft British accent.
I nod, but her words don’t bring me any comfort.
“I can’t just sit here and do nothing, Keller. It’s not who I am.”
Something isn’t sitting right with me about Alex. Why did he need me away from Frankie? What did he mean about tonight?
“I’ve sworn to protect you with my goddamn life, Zara. That is what being part of this family is about. Stop fighting me on it.”
I know exactly what he means. It’s the same way I feel about Frankie and our baby. It’s the kind of love you would take a bullet for.
“I get it, Keller, I do. I just don’t expect you to put yourself in harm’s way. Like you said, you’ve got a family, they need you.”
He nods, a solemn look passing across his face.
“I need a pee. I’ll be back in a minute,” Sienna says, looking at her husband.
Keller points to the guards by the door who open it for Sienna, and Maddie runs after her.
“We are all a family here, Zara. You included,” Keller says, still deep in thought.
I smile up at him.
“I appreciate that. Thank you.”
For the first time in my life, I belong somewhere, just by being myself. My past doesn’t matter to any of these guys.
