Arden (Undercover Billionaire Book 2)

by Melody Anne

  Before Keera could say anything, Juliana squeezed her hand again and continued speaking. “I have a feeling you’re going to be family before too long. My son needs to see you. Go in and take care of him. We’ll be right behind you.”

  Keera wasn’t about to argue any further. She needed to be with Arden and Max. She wasn’t going to feel better until she saw with her own eyes that they were both okay.

  “Thank you,” Keera told her.

  “This way,” Spence said as he held out his hand.

  She took a step toward what she hoped was her future.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Arden wasn’t sure if he was still dreaming when he opened his eyes, but if he was, he wouldn’t mind staying in dreamland a little longer. Keera was sitting at his side, her soft fingers gently running over the top of his head, her cheeks red, her eyes worried.

  He shut his eyes, then slowly opened them again, and this time, she was looking straight in his, and her lips wobbled as her fingers stilled and she leaned down, pressing her lips against his before she straightened up and gave him the smallest hint of a smile.

  “You are exactly who I needed beside me,” he told her. His shoulder no longer hurt, and he was thankful for the drugs they’d pumped into him, but he wanted to reach for her and found his hand not cooperating. She seemed to read his mind, and she leaned down, her hand running along his lower arm before her fingers wove through his.

  “I’m here, I’m right here,” she said, a love unlike anything he’d seen before shining in her eyes. He knew without her saying a word that they were going to be okay. They’d made it through this mess, and though he had a strong feeling it was nowhere near over, it didn’t matter anymore, because the two of them were going to be together, and as long as they were, they’d be able to conquer anything.

  “Are you okay, Keera? Did he hurt you in any way?” he asked. She definitely appeared as if she’d been crying for a long period of time, but she was in civilian clothes and didn’t appear harmed. There were no bruises on her. Just the thought of that man hitting her sent Arden’s heart rate monitor to beeping.

  “I’m fine,” she said. “I promise. You and Max got there and saved me,” she said.

  He let out a breath of relief, and his heart rate slowly began to lower just as a nurse ran into the room.

  “We’re good here,” he told her. “Go away.” Normally he was never rude, but he wanted to be alone with Keera right now.

  The nurse wasn’t offended, just checked his monitor real quick then exited.

  “How’s Max?” he asked. He was terrified to hear the answer. He’d been irritated with the dog from the moment his brother had dumped Max on him, but seeing how brave and loyal Max was to Keera had made him fall in love with the mutt without him even realizing it.

  “He’s right beside you, a hero like his partner,” she said with a smile while she shifted out of the way.

  He could see Max sleeping peacefully in the bed next to him. He’d demanded they do exactly that, but hadn’t hoped they’d come through for him. He owed Spence a freaking trip somewhere for all he and the rest of the staff had done for him and Max.

  “The last thing I saw before I was shot was Max lunging for the guy,” Arden said. “I thought I’d lose him for sure.”

  “Me too,” she told him. “He was shot, but they worked on him here. He’s going to be okay. You both are,” she said, before pausing and taking a deep breath. “We’re all going to be okay.”

  “With you here beside me, I know we will,” he said.

  “I’m sorry I’ve held back from you, sorry I haven’t trusted you sooner,” she said.

  He so desperately wanted to reach for her. It killed him that he couldn’t.

  She seemed to understand and gently lifted his hand, placing his palm on her cheek. He sighed his relief at feeling her soft skin beneath his fingertips.

  “I love you,” he said. “And you never have to apologize for feeling anything. You’ve gone through so much in your life, it amazes me who you are.”

  “I love you, Arden. I didn’t even know what love was until you and Max. Now I know. And I love you so much I can’t imagine losing you,” she told him.

  His heart filled with happiness. He’d known from the moment he’d looked into her eyes she’d realize they were meant to be together, but there was nothing like hearing her say it. Others had said they loved him before. His parents told him all the time, and so did his siblings.

  But hearing the words from this woman who never spoke of love, who hadn’t been properly loved before, meant so much to him. He wished he had the correct words to express it to her. But it was okay, because they had a lifetime to figure that out.

  “You’re going to be surrounded by love for the rest of your life,” he assured her.

  “Is that so?” she asked, more tears falling as she smiled at him.

  “Yes, that’s so.”

  There was no way he was proposing to her when he couldn’t drop down on his knees so she’d know how much he worshipped her, but it was okay. She now trusted in his love for her, and in her love for him.

  Max let out a whimper, and they both turned to see he’d woken up and was lying in the bed beside them, looking pathetic at being left out of this conversation. Keera laughed, and the sound was absolutely magical. She then tugged on Max’s bed, bringing him closer, and locking her between them.

  It was perfect. They were perfect. Keera kept one hand clasped in Arden’s, and the other on Max’s head. Their family was just beginning, and no matter where they were, as long as they were together, they’d be okay.

  Epilogue

  “Keera, we’ve found it,” Arden said.

  Keera looked up, finding Arden and Declan standing in the doorway, solemn expressions on their faces. She was curled up on the couch, Max at her side, his head in her lap, his favorite position.

  “Are you sure?” she asked.

  It had been three months since Ethan’s death, and Arden’s and Max’s shooting. It had been three beautiful months, where she’d grown to love and trust so fully she couldn’t imagine her life without Arden and his family in it.

  But the weight of what had happened had been hanging on her shoulders that entire time, and she wanted more answers. She needed to be able to let go of her past, to have a fresh slate so she and Arden could marry and live their lives as normally as possible.

  She was no longer afraid of shaming his family. His parents had accepted her with open arms, and even if she had felt inadequate, it was impossible to not feel loved as they embraced her, treating her as if she’d always been a part of their family.

  “We’re absolutely sure,” Arden told her.

  “What do we do now?” she asked.

  “We see what people were so willing to kill for,” Declan said.

  Keera rose, making Max grumble. She apologized and gave him an extra scratch before she began moving toward Arden. She was ready to face whatever it was she needed to face as long as she had her man and dog by her side. Before she could say anything else, the front door crashed open. Both Arden and Declan turned, drawing their guns. Even after months of peace, it appeared they were all still jumpy.

  “There’s a forest fire,” Owen shouted as he rounded the corner, not concerned with seeing two of his brothers armed.

  “What are you talking about?” Arden asked.

  “Where you two were earlier,” Owen said, somewhat out of breath.

  “Wait, near the vault?” Declan asked, his body tense.

  “Yeah, we’ve all been called in,” Owen told him. “But it’s quickly getting out of control. This isn’t a natural disaster. Someone set it.”

  Keera felt her blood run cold. “It’s not over for me, is it?” she asked.

  All three brothers turned to look at her before Arden holstered the weapon he must have forgotten he’d been holding, and quickly strode to her side.

  “I don’t think this has to do with you,” he assured her
.

  “How can you say that? Since I’ve come here so much bad has happened,” she told him.

  “No, you’ve brought nothing but light to my world,” he assured her. “I think this goes deeper than any of us could possibly know. But we will figure it out.”

  Declan looked at her, determination in his gaze. “Yes, we will, and you have nothing to worry about.”

  There was so much more to Declan than he allowed the world to see. She was grateful he’d chosen her as one of the people he let in.

  “We can talk about the merits of who and what later. We need all hands on deck,” Owen said. “I’m barely back a couple of months and someone’s trying to burn down my town. Let’s go.”

  When they stepped outside, they could see the haze in the distance where smoke was rising. This wasn’t a small fire, and it wasn’t going to be easily contained. It appeared as if the mysteries were continuing to unravel.

  Keera looked at Arden as he gazed out at the horizon, his brows knit, worry in his eyes. Instead of tensing, she relaxed. They might not have all the answers they needed, but that didn’t matter. As long as she was beside Arden, she was safe; she was where she needed to be.

  “Go be a hero,” she told him.

  He looked down at her, so much love shining in his eyes it took her breath away. Then he leaned in and kissed her, still causing butterflies to dance in her belly.

  “Hey, I’m the hero,” Owen insisted as he tugged on his brother. “I’m the fireman.”

  “Every story needs its hero. I guess it’s your turn,” Arden said with a chuckle. He gave Keera another quick kiss, then the three brothers raced away.

  Maybe the vault would burn and she’d never see what was inside it. Right now, she didn’t even care. She had the love of her life, and she was free—free to live however she wanted. She’d gotten her happily ever after, even if she hadn’t been seeking it.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Photo © John Evanston

  Melody Anne is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author whose popular series include Billionaire Bachelors, Surrender, Baby for the Billionaire, and Billionaire Aviators, along with a young adult series and other romance novels. She loves to write about strong, powerful businessmen and the corporate world.

  Since finding her true calling, she has been an Amazon top 100 bestselling author for three years in a row. When not writing, Melody spends time with family, friends, and her many pets. A country girl at heart, she loves her small town and is involved in many community projects.