102. Protector
Lexie felt safe, she hadn’t had that sense of security in a very long time. Not since her mom married her stepdad. Having Keegan in her space felt good, she could see the proof in Harley’s calm demeanor showing her that her little brother likes him too.
Keegan did stay for dinner if only to convince her more to move into his place tonight. “Pack your bags and Harley’s too. Come on, it’ll be safer than staying here, don’t you think? I really don’t want to leave you two alone tonight and running away to another city in the dark won’t be a wise choice when you have a kid with you.”
Keegan made her think, and naturally, she thought that he was right though she considered the offer to stay at his place nonetheless.
“I’ll help Harley get his coat and shoes. Go, get his blankie or stuffed animal anything he needs to sleep for the night. I’ll get the rest tomorrow, send in a crew to pack the rest of your stuff. Listen, Mara,” Keegan called her by her real name and took her hand in his, her eyes stared at him while she watched him as he gets her full attention.
“I left you once, and I’m not going to do it again. Let me help you.” He said firmly while her mind took time to let everything sink in. Then, his shoulder finally relaxes when she nodded.
“Okay, now go get everything ready. I’ll help Harley, we need to get to my place before his bedtime.”
Lexie got up and hurriedly find Harley who was back to enjoying his cartoons in the living room.
“Hey little guy, so… Keegan had asked us to stay at his place while I get things sorted out. It’s time. We need to move.” Lexie said trying to explain the situation carefully. When the news hits him, his expression changes. Her little brother suddenly looked worried and Lexie quickly took him into her arms, hugging him while the little boy sniffled clearly trying hard not to cry.
When Keegan found them in the living room he patted him on the back. “Come on big guy, let me help you with your shoes and coat while your sister gets your stuff. We’re going to have a sleepover at my place tonight.”
“Really??” He unlatched himself from Lexie and adorably took Keegan’s hand. Harley let the man usher him to get his coat. Keegan winked at Lexie and her heart melts a little. She knew that letting Keegan help them was going to cause trouble in the future, but she wouldn’t back down from his invitation. Not when she saw how excited her little brother was. Not when she rationalized that it was safer to stay at his place than hers.
Harley was asleep when they got to Keegan’s place. It was a three-bedroom converted warehouse space that he had purchased a year ago, Keegan explain to her as they drove to his place. And Lexie couldn’t help herself to feel safer when he explained about the security system that he had installed there.
“This is a nice place,” Lexie looked surprised to find the house was located just by the outskirts of the city. The neighborhood didn’t scream suburban, it was located right in the middle of a mix of buildings of offices, restaurants, and retail stores. She thought it suited perfectly for a young tough guy like Keegan with a busy lifestyle.
“Thank you.” He said as he entered his private garage and exited his black Land Rover. He was already opening the back door where Harley had curled up in the backseat of his car. She had appreciated how he had driven carefully telling her that he’d get a car seat for Harley in the morning. He wouldn’t take no for an answer when she told him that they were going to leave as soon as they could.
“Come on, I’ll carry Harley and you follow me, I’ll get your bags later.” Lexie shook her head and smiled telling him it’ll be faster if she gets the bags. He relented not wanting to argue with her when they all could be in the house sooner rather than later.Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.
“I have three bedrooms, mine, my office, and one guest room. I’ll get you and Harley settled into the guest bedroom,” Keegan spoke as he opened his door by entering codes before pushing his keys and letting her through the door.
“Wow,” Lexie was shocked when she entered his kitchen. It was sleek, black, and modern the main focus of the kitchen counter was the big ass coffee machine that he proudly told her he got for himself on his birthday last year.
“Okay, what’s with that look? Are you amazed at my kitchen or secretly judging me for the stacks of dishes I left in the sink?” He teased, making the situation feel less awkward.
She giggled when she was looking at the mountain of plates and cups filling up the sink.
“You’d think one would consider buying a dishwasher with his expensive kitchen. But not me, I was a traditionalist my mom taught me to hand wash my dishes. But um… things got busy,”
She giggled more but followed him as they passed the kitchen and walked into an open floor plan layout where the large living area was so spacious it opens up the house beautifully even though it was decorated with big and cozy looking leather sofas, dark-colored wooden furniture, and the biggest size television she ever saw mounted on his whitewashed wall.
“Over here,” he said standing in front of a door that Lexie had guessed was the guest bedroom. His other hand reached for the handle and Lexie followed behind him. She smiled at him when he rest her brother and tucked him in under the comforter. The little guy stirred when he took off his shoes but he was back to sleep seconds later.
“That’s the bathroom,” he pointed at the ensuite door. “You’ll find extra toothbrushes, towels, and everything you’ll need under the sink. I’m going to leave you to settle in while I lock the house, okay? My room is by the end of the hall.” Keegan puts his hand on her shoulder and squeezes it gently. Old memories came back like a breeze. She remembered, just as it was years ago. The careful way that he would care for her. The simple little comfort that he gave just moments before he pulled her into his arms. Then, when he actually did she finally broke down and tears rolled out of her eyes in fat ugly streams.
She felt his warmth as he let her cry it out. His strong hand held her and rubbed her back, providing the comfort that she had long given up wishing for.
“Come on, let’s not wake your brother, he had a very interesting day,” Keegan said softly whilst he guided her out, but not closing the door fully behind them just in case Harley woke up in a panic when he saw the new surroundings.
“How about a cup of coffee?”
“Okay,”
Lexie watched him as he easily moves around his kitchen to make their coffee. She didn’t expect how easily it was for her to fall back in his embrace and let her feelings out. She felt like Keegan wanted nothing but to comfort her, as if wanted to give her the security that she needed. This time she hoped that he intended to follow through with his plan to keep both Lexie and her little brother safe. At least until tomorrow or the day after.
Because right now that was all she could hope for. Future heartbreak be damned.