by Kaci Rose
"I'd probably burn them all," I say.
"Well, you’re making the guys nervous." He says.
This makes me stop in my tracks, and I look at the guy by the back door and see another one in the doorway that leads to the small hallway to the kitchen.
"Sorry." I sigh and try to slow down my pacing, until a door closes, and I full on panic. I run right to Mason, who puts me between the wall and him.
"It's okay. It was just one of my guys coming in from doing a garage sweep," Mason says.
I don't move right away, and finally, he sighs.
"If you’re going to pace, let's at least go do it in the upstairs hallway and give these guys a break, yeah?"
"Okay." I nod. He follows me upstairs, and I start to pace not just the side of the hallway where my old room is along with Landon's and mine and Dallas's room. But also, down the guest side and make the 'L' turn to the game room and the loft. Mason follows me the whole way.
They still haven't found Branden or Jimmy, whatever his name is. The cops have a warrant out for his arrest, because on top of attacking me, he missed several probation check-ins and being back on drugs is a violation of his parole.
I know the cops are searching for him, and I know Dallas and Landon are working with Mason, too. One night, I heard them talking to Mason, who had hired on a bunch of extra men to start their own search for Branden.
I asked Dallas about it that night, and he told me the guys are all ex-military and happy to help find someone, who attacked a woman. Dallas said this is also a trial run for security for their label and their tours. Mason is going to be working with their clients too, not just as their personal security.
That made me feel a bit better. Mason is good at what he does, and I know they trust him, because they ask him to watch over me. Dallas also told me once everything is over with Branden, I will be assigned a new guard, because Mason will take on a desk job, managing the security team.
That makes me sad, because I really like and trust Mason, but I know this is a huge promotion for him, so I'm happy for him, too. It will allow him to be home more with his wife.
After several passes of the long hallway, Mason finally speaks.
"Dallas and Landon's car is at the gate." He says.
I sigh and start to feel better. "Thank you."
Making my way downstairs, I enter the kitchen, as soon as they do. And I don't stop, until I'm in Dallas's arms, and finally feel safe and calm again. Things are okay. I won't let go of him, and he just chuckles and carries me into the living room, collapsing on the couch with me in his arms. Landon follows us and kicks his feet up on the coffee table.
"It's over, baby girl," Dallas says, as he rubs my back.
"What do you mean?" I ask him.
"We had a meeting at the label today as you know, but we kept some stuff from you, because we didn't want to worry you," Dallas says.
"It didn't work. She was a nervous wreck, jumpy and pacing, and freaked at the sound of a door closing," Mason interjects, sitting at the edge of the love seat.
"Thanks," I mumble and snuggle into Dallas even more.
The guys chuckle, before getting back to business.
"So first, we finally were able to get a meeting with Dave. As expected, he just kept asking us to drop the charges. He was all sweet at first, saying Branden couldn't get the help he needed in jail and all that, which we know isn't his motivation. Then, we revealed how we knew he was stealing money and things got ugly. He admitted to it, and of course, I was recording it all, though he didn't know that." Landon says.
"So, after that, we met with the label execs and laid out what Dave has been doing, the stolen money, and all about his son. We gave them two options. Let us out of our contracts now, and we’ll spin this in a positive light for them, or if they don’t, we will assume they were working with Dave." Dallas says.
"How did they take that?" Mason asks.
"Better than we thought. They said they had planned to let us out of our contract early anyway, and they want to work with us on our label, help with tour promotions, and still use our name. We have contracts to look over. Then, after the meeting, Milton shocked us both and offered to be our mentor. So, all in all, it was good." Dallas says.
"After that, we went to the police station with the recording. Milton had his security hold Dave, so he was easy to arrest, and he turned Jimmy in to try to save his own ass. A few minutes ago, we got a call saying they picked Branden up, too." Landon says.
"So, it's over? They’re in jail?" I ask, hesitantly.
"Yes, and will be for a very long time," Dallas says.
I sag in relief, and even though I'm happy, I start crying. Crying in relief, it's all over and letting out all the emotions from the last few days. So many emotions.
"Come on, baby girl. Let me take you upstairs. I just want to hold you." Dallas says, and he picks me up in his arms.
All I can do is nod, as I let him take control. He carries me upstairs like it's nothing and lays me in our bed. The bed we have been sharing every night, since he moved my stuff in. This room already feels like home. When I wouldn't change anything, Dallas did. He added stuff from my room and mixed it in with his stuff.
I grab his hand and pull him into bed with me.
"Lay with me," I say to him. "I hated you being gone today. I feel so safe in your arms."
With this, he wraps his arms around me and pulls me to lie on his chest.
"I will always protect you. Though, I hated being away from you today too, but it had to be done, to put an end to this. I wasn't expecting him to turn on his son the way he did. I thought we'd still be hunting him down, but I'm so happy he's behind bars, too. They can't hurt you anymore, and it got us out of our contract, so I'd say it's a win."
"You guys excited to start your label? Are you ready to start early? I know you weren't planning to for another year. This won't set you back, will it?"
"Calm down, baby girl. We’ll be just fine. It will still take some time, because we want to do this right, but we’ll be okay. This also means there won't be a final tour, so I’ll be home. No more going on the road for a while." Dallas says.
"Will you ever tour again?" I ask him. I can't imagine Highway 55 never touring again.
"We will. Landon and I have been tossing around the idea of being part of the first tour, as we bring the people we sign on. We'd draw a crowd, and it’ll be a good way to get them out there. Maybe, have each person do a song with us that would be on their albums. We know our name will sell and to get them off the ground we aren't afraid to use our names. But because of that, we will be extra selective of those first few artists."
"Oh, you won't join some music competition show and just take the winners?" I joke.
"No, we won't be part of those horrible reality shows you watch. Those guys get a huge fan base, even if they don’t win. We want undiscovered talent. We've been watching videos online and pouring over the demos people send us. There are at least seven possibilities, and I'm sure there will be more. We’ll bring them in and audition them to see who can cut it."
I love seeing Dallas like this. He's in his element, and that calms me in a way I didn't know I needed tonight. He must sense me getting tired, because he starts running his hand through my hair.
"Get some rest, baby girl. I'm right here, and we aren't leaving again tonight."
That soft touch of his hand in my hair makes the whole world right. Our next battle is working things out with Landon, but right here, right now, everything is perfect.
Chapter 38
Dallas
I lay there with Austin, as she falls asleep. It's been a long day, but the texts we got from Mason said she was stressing herself out, while we were gone. She was on edge, and when we got the call that Branden or Jimmy was picked up and in custody, Landon and I both breathed a sigh of relief.
Once I'm sure she's asleep, I gently move off the bed, making sure she doesn't wake up. When I see she’s sleeping soundl
y, I make my way downstairs. I need to talk to Landon, and I want to do it without her hearing. I want to make things good with us, before she wakes up.
I find him in the kitchen with a beer in one hand and his phone in the other.
"Now that all this is over, we need to talk, and I want to do this, while Austin is asleep. I'd like to have this settled, when she gets up, so it's one less thing she has to worry about. She's been through enough." I say.
"I agree. May I talk first?" Landon asks.
"Okay." I agree and sit down.
"I've been watching you two for the last few weeks. I've seen how you are with her, and how she is with you. Something I should have noticed years ago. Maybe, I knew that and chose to ignore it, I don't know. When all this happened, you took care of her almost without thinking. Your first thought was her, always her." He pauses and shakes his head.
"You did what I would have done to protect her, but she takes care of you, too. She calms you, and I've seen this change in you I can't put into words. She makes you a better person, and you do the same to her. Yeah, I was upset before, but I think I let that cloud my vision, when it comes to not just you, but her, too."
This shocks me. He's right. I don't think twice, when it comes to her. I've known her so long I know what she needs, and I just do it. I don't think I make her a better person, but I know she makes me a better man. She makes me want to be better for her.
I open my mouth to say something, but he holds up his hand, so I nod and let him speak.
"I have spent a few nights thinking, and I always kept coming back to one thing. I trust you with my life. Why wouldn't I trust you with Austin? The thing is, I do trust you with her. That doesn't mean I like the idea, but I don't think I could trust anyone else with her the way I trust you. I don't think anyone else would take care of her like you."
"Or love her like I do," I state, as I look him in the eye.
We stare at each other for a minute, before he nods.
"You really trust me with her?" I ask, having to make sure.
"Yes, and I'm sorry about how I reacted. I knew you guys liked each other back in school. I just thought it was silly teenage crushes, and that you would outgrow them. I never imagined it was big enough to lead to this. Then, I was dealing with my own stuff, when Opal turned me down, and I wasn’t in a good place. I let it all cloud my judgment."
"All is forgiven as long as you make it right with Austin," I tell him. "Everything you told me might make this go over easier," I tell him, as I run my hands over my thighs and sit on the edge of my chair.
"I'd like to ask her to marry me, and I want your blessing to do so," I say. I have no idea how this is going to go.
A week ago, I would have expected a no, but at least, I would have tried. I plan to ask her to marry me no matter what, but I'd like to have Landon on our side. I know she will want him to walk her down the aisle, and I want him to be my best man. Things won't be the same, if he isn't behind us.
Landon sits back and crosses his arms. There’s no emotion on his face, so I let him work through whatever he has to, before giving me an answer.
"You don't think you’re moving a bit fast?" He asks in a flat voice.
"Some might think so, but we’ve known each other as long as you and I have. It's always been her, Landon. It will always be her. If she turns me down, it doesn't mean I'm going to stop asking, because she’s it for me."
Landon turns his head and looks out the window. Then without a word, he gets up and walks out of the room. I'm in shock, I at least expected him to say something.
Looking to the security guy in the corner of the room, his eyes are wide, like he isn't sure what to do either. Then, I decide I'm going to give him a piece of my mind, and at least, let him know I plan to ask her anyway.
I head upstairs and to his room, where I assume he went. His door is open, and his back is to me, as he faces his dresser. Before I can even say a word, he starts speaking.
"My parents would always tell us the story of how they met and fell in love. My dad made a grand gesture and bought mom her dream house. He proposed there surrounded by candles and rose petals. He gave her this ring.” He says and turns to face me with a ring in his hand. “When planning the funeral, I debated whether to bury my parents with their rings or to save them."
"I remember," I say, choked up. "You never said what you decided."
"I decided to save them. Mom's set for Austin, and Dad’s ring for me. If you’re going to ask her, it should be with this ring. Austin always loved it growing up. There’s no one else I'd trust her with, and no one else I'd rather she spends her life with. I already consider you family, so I guess it's time we make it legal." He holds up a ring box with his mom's wedding set.
He has tears in his eyes, but somehow, he manages to keep his voice level. Losing the battle, tears fall down my face. I take the ring from his hand and stare at it. I remember it from when we were kids. His mom never took it off, and it caught my eye a few times. It's a unique ring, and I know Austin loves it.
The vintage setting almost looks like a rose, which was her mom's favorite flower and is also Austin’s. I think she likes it, because it reminds her of her mom. I'll plant her a whole rose garden if she wants.
"I have a plan, but I need your help." I tell him, once I get my emotions back under control.
He nods, "Let's head back downstairs."
We spend some time going over my plan, and I fill him in on what I’ve been doing the past few weeks with every spare moment I've had. We make notes and do some online research. This needs to be a grand gesture to show her I'm all in. Landon is excited to help, and it feels great to be back on the same page again.
Once our plans are in place, there’s just one more thing to take care of.
"We’re keeping security on the three of us, right?" I ask.
"Yes." He says.
"You know this means I'm paying for Austin’s, right?"
He smirks. "I know. It's going to be hard letting her go and letting someone else take care of her, so just go easy on me, okay? Let me get used to it, before you have any ideas of turning me into an uncle." He gives a fake shiver, and I laugh.
God, it feels good to laugh.
We finish up, and I go to the kitchen, making Austin and me a sandwich and grab some chips and water and head upstairs. I know she's tired, but I want to make sure she eats, too.
She starts to stir as soon as I enter our room and turns to look at me.
"You need to eat, baby. Then, I thought we could watch a movie in here and just cuddle." I suggest.
She nods, as she sits up in bed. I hand her a plate, and she digs in.
"I didn't realize how hungry I was. Thank you, Dallas." She says, after her first bite.
I lean over and kiss the side of her head and dig into my sandwich, too.
We eat in silence for a bit, before I speak again.
"Your brother wants to take you out for lunch tomorrow. We talked, and I think he wants to speak with you. I want you two to work things out." I tell her.
She nods. "Okay."
"Save your dinner plans for me, though. I plan to take you out, show you off, and tell the world you're mine with a fried chicken dinner at the diner and a movie."
She laughs. "That sounds perfect."
It does sound perfect. This life with her is perfect.
Chapter 39
Austin
Today, Landon asked me where I wanted to go to lunch; he said anywhere I wanted the only condition was that I was to wear a dress and look nice for him. He has something up his sleeve, but I will go along with it. I picked my favorite deli, something light, since Dallas has something planned tonight.
I dress in one of my favorite maxi dresses. With sleeves to my elbows, a tight fitted top and flowy from the waist down, it's all one color, a grayish baby blue.
It's comfortable, just enough to stay cool in the Nashville heat, and dressy enough for whatever my brother has planned. I pair i
t with my favorite sandals and step out of the bathroom to find Dallas sitting on the bed.
"Think this will satisfy my brother?" I ask him.
Slowly, he eyes me from head to foot and back again with a hungry look in his eyes.
"Stop looking at me like that, or I won't make it to lunch with my brother." I tease him.
"Keep that dress on. I want to peel it off you later tonight." He growls.
"Mental note to buy it in every color, check." I laugh, though I'm not joking.
"Have a good lunch, baby." He says, as he gets off the bed and wraps his arms around me.
With a chaste kiss, he steps back and slaps my ass. "Go, before I drag you to bed." He says.
Landon is waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs, and he's dressed in dark jeans and a button up shirt.
"You look very nice. It's a girl, isn't it? Am I meeting her today?" I ask. I never see him get dressed up, unless it's for a girl or a holiday.
"Yes, there’s a girl." He smiles, as he opens the door for me. He's already pulled his car around to the front.
"Ha, I knew it!" I say, as he opens the car door for me.
"And her name is Austin, and she's a pain in my ass." He says just before he closes the car door. My jaw drops open.
As he gets in the car, I turn to face him.
"I dressed up for you, don't overthink it, okay. It's just the first time either of us will be out in public, since the whole Branden thing, and it's just starting to hit the news, so I thought we should be dressed in case." He says.
I turn to the back seat to face Mason and the other bodyguard. "He really expects me to believe that?" I joke with them, and they smile.
Mason will be with me for a few more days, until he finds someone to replace him. I think it's more, until Landon and Dallas approve of whoever is to take his place.
The first part of the drive is quiet, before I ask, "Have you read what is being reported about Branden?" I ask.
"I've looked, and we had our PR manager release a statement to get ahead of it and control the story. She's good at what she does and is also coming with us to the new label." He smirks.
