What the Heart Desires

by Kelli McCracken

  “It’s not me, Dylan.” Layne finally spoke. “Your wife is the one with new powers. She healed me, like she did when I was shot by the arrow, but in less time. She’s getting stronger.”

  Heaven repeated his words in her mind. She couldn’t believe it. Layne had the perfect opportunity to claim her for his own and be the selfish man he thought he was. Instead, he put his wants and needs aside and put her first.

  Peeking over her shoulder, she sent him a silent thank you. The corner of his mouth twitched, like he wanted to smile, but he forced himself to refocus on her husband.

  Dylan was still staring, yet the minute Layne faced him, he looked back at her. Something weighed on his mind. The way he kept observing her and Layne said as much.

  Before she could ask him what was wrong, the front door reopened. A mixture of voices followed, then thumping began on the staircase. When Dylan turned to see who was approaching, she caught a glimpse of Hope. Her sister gasped as she rushed in her direction.

  “You’re here! You’re really here!”

  Once Hope reached her, she drew her into an embrace and squeezed so hard Heaven thought she’d break her ribs. Between her sister's sobbing and the other voices, she vaguely heard anything else Hope said.

  Delia and Spencer topped the stairs soon after. They moved out of the way as Layla and Dane hurried to greet Layne. Even her mom and dad came upstairs to witness the reunion.

  As the rest of their family bombarded them with questions, Heaven did her best to explain what happened. She didn’t miss their winces when she relived the battle between Layne and the Benders. Tears flooded Layla’s eyes as she patted her son’s face, but even the moisture they contained couldn’t hide her pride.

  Once everyone’s curiosity settled, they began to disperse to the lower floor. Hope locked arms with Heaven and tugged her down the hall. She patted her pregnant belly and rambled about the long night they’d all faced.

  Heaven did her best to appear interested in everything her sister said. Then she sensed Layne’s soul calling to hers and all other thoughts left her mind.

  Just as they focused on each other, Adalyn’s cries filtered into the hallway. Dylan heard them too and started to turn back, but she motioned for him and her sister to keep going.

  “I’ve got her. I have a feeling she’s hungry.”

  Both nodded. Hope continued down the stairs, probably in search of Scott, but Dylan remained on the top step. He faced Layne, who was standing on the step below him, staring in her direction. At least he was. The second he noticed Dylan, he turned around.

  Lingering in the doorway, she watched her husband grab her Keeper’s shoulder. Anxiety blazed within Layne. He hesitated on meeting his friend’s eyes, but when he finally did, his voice remained steady.

  “Is something wrong?”

  “I don’t know,” Dylan shrugged, “but you and I need to talk.”

  CHAPTER 19

  A warm breeze rustled through Layne’s hair the moment he walked through the front door. He bypassed the porch swing and chairs, heading toward the steps. Something in his gut said the impending conversation would be anything but fun. The more distance he could put between him and the house, the better. He refused to get an ass chewing where other people could hear it.

  The soles of his shoes scuffed against the sidewalk before he made it to the grass. He wanted to keep going, but the erratic pace of Heaven’s energy brought him to a stop. She was worried, about him, about Dylan. Guess she’d seen her husband stop him on the staircase.

  Gazing at the overcast sky, voices hummed in the distance. His father and Nicholas stood at the opposite end of the driveway, near the hill that led to Highland Avenue. Spencer joined them while Isaac and Mason walked their way.

  Curiosity burned in his mind, but the sound of Dylan approaching extinguished all other thoughts. Whatever the elders were discussing wasn’t nearly as important as finding out why Dylan wanted to talk. And any second, he’d get his answer.

  Dylan slowed his pace not long after he came into view. He put several feet of space between them before stopping near a maple tree. His profile showed no emotion, not even anger, but his silence said otherwise.

  Layne focused on his energy, searching for a clue as to what was going through his friend’s mind. Yet the vibrations he sensed in Heaven, as well as her parents, didn’t radiate from Dylan. It was like standing in the shade on a cloudless day. He knew the sun was beating down but couldn’t feel a single ray.

  Maybe the block Adalyn placed between her parents affected him too. It was Heaven’s abilities he’d gained, and if she couldn’t sense her husband, why should he? The thought made waiting for his friend to face him feel like an eternity.

  Then Dylan pivoted.

  “I uh… I can’t express my gratitude for what you did to save her. I owe you my life.”

  Great. He was going to take the moral high road before he began his verbal assault. Then again, maybe this was the verbal assault, which meant the physical one would be next. What better way to get a man to lower his defense than by expressing fake gratitude. If Dylan thought he’d buy his bullshit, his friend didn’t know him as well as he thought.

  “You don’t owe me anything. If it wasn’t for her, I’d be dead. We both would be.”

  Dylan glanced toward the house as he shook his head. “Believe me, I know. If it weren’t for your pride, none of this would have happened. Raphe wouldn’t have found you. My dad wouldn’t have found you. I wouldn’t have spent the whole night searching for you and losing my fucking mind doing it.”

  As much as Layne wanted to punch him in the mouth, he didn’t move. Dylan was right. This was his fault. He didn’t deny it. If his friend had figured out the rest, he deserved whatever punishment he received. But he’d be damned if he left Heaven’s side. Nothing would keep him from her, nothing but death.

  “There isn’t anything you can say to me that I haven’t said to myself. I hate that my actions put her in harm’s way. It eats me alive, but I can’t change what happened any more than you can.”

  “I hope you gained something from it.” Dylan grumbled the words as his attention shifted back to Layne. “In either case, I still owe you for keeping her safe. My dad would have killed her. You protected her.”

  Layne clenched his teeth. The pain that once inflicted his body was nothing more than a memory, one he wouldn’t forget. He’d never been so scared in his life, but not because he feared dying. The thought of losing Heaven was reason enough.

  “I did my job, Dylan, and poorly at that. You owe me nothing.”

  Despite his friend’s attempt at thanking him, he knew there was more to this conversation than what was being said. There had to be. Why else would Dylan suggest they talk?

  “I’m just trying to say thank you.”

  “Look, I’m glad you’re appreciative and all that shit. I’m glad everything worked out. My fuck ups didn’t get us killed, Heaven’s home, and you’re back. Maybe you should seize the moment and go spend some time with your wife.”

  Dylan stood there with his mouth open and forehead creased. It made Layne grind his teeth. There was no point to their conversation. It gave his friend the opportunity to reproach him, nothing more. Now that Dylan had, there was no reason to stick around when Heaven was inside waiting.

  Layne fought back the urge to tell him as much. If she were his wife…but she wasn’t. Never would be. He still didn’t know what happened between them upstairs, before Dylan arrived. It was reckless. He knew that for sure, but God, had it been passionate.

  As intense as it was, it left him with unanswered questions. Did she want him to leave her alone, to never touch her again? Did she want to keep things going, keep their little rendezvous a secret like he offered? She couldn’t possibly want the three of them to—

  “What the hell is wrong with you?” Dylan’s voice breached his thoughts. “Why are you being such a dick?”

  “Because I’m in love with your wife.”
>
  The words rumbled inside Layne’s chest and shot through the air. He didn’t regret saying them, even when Dylan’s eyes closed. Admitting he loved Heaven didn’t go against his promise to keep quiet, but it gave his friend all the more reason to kick his ass.

  As quiet as Dylan was being, he didn’t doubt his friend was on the verge of losing it. The way his jaw flinched furthered Layne’s suspicion. This wasn’t the first time they’d discussed the subject. Dylan asked him point-blank if he was in love with Heaven the day before he married her. Since then, he’d hinted to his suspicions on several occasions. And Layne lied, time and again. It wouldn’t matter his reasoning. It would only matter that he’d been dishonest.

  Dylan’s eyes reopened and locked on him. He braced himself for the assault he knew was coming, but to his surprise, Dylan took a couple steps back.

  “At least you finally admit it.”

  The reality of what his friend said registered. They stood there, glaring at each other for what seemed like a good minute before Layne found his voice again.

  “Don’t pretend like you’re okay with what I just said.”

  “I’m not.” Dylan spoke the words through clenched teeth. His hand fisted at his side, but he didn’t advance on Layne. “In fact, I hate it because it means you’ve been lying to me for months. However, I know you have to feel the way you do for her sake, and you’ve saved her twice. I can deal with you loving her.”

  It was far from the reaction Layne expected. He wasn’t sure if he could trust that it wasn’t some attempt to throw him off guard. Then Dylan could punch him. What sane man would do nothing but listen as another man confessed to being in love with his wife? Would he be this calm if he knew how Heaven felt?

  “What about her loving me?”

  Dylan’s chest rose and fell with a sigh. He leaned his head back and stared at the maple tree. “I know she loves you, Layne. That’s what real friends do. They love us through the good and the bad. You’re not used to having many friends, not real ones. Me and Scott and—”

  “Don’t say his name.”

  “Seriously?” Dylan refaced him. “If you stay angry with him, you’re a hypocrite. You just told me you’re in love with Heaven. It’s because of your Keeper bond, the same type of bond Jerry has with Faith. And they’re soulmates, probably unfortunate, but the bond still exists.”

  The response only fed Layne’s anger. It smoldered inside him, especially when he sensed Heaven’s energy wavering within him. She was confused. To what, he wasn’t sure, but he hoped she wasn’t ‘listening’ to their conversation. The more he concentrated on her, the more he realized her confusion stemmed from something else.

  He needed to end this conversation with Dylan and go check on her. His friend would probably beat him to it, but he had to try. Still, he couldn’t stand the thought of Dylan comparing his connection with Heaven to that of his ex-girlfriend and friend.

  “You forget that I share an affinity with Heaven. That makes our bond stronger than a normal Seeker-Keeper bond.”

  “True, but it doesn’t make a normal one any less intense for the people who share it. Look at our mothers. Mine is with her Keeper now and yours is extremely close with hers.”

  “What are you saying?”

  He didn’t realize he’d advanced on Dylan until his friend’s hands rose to his chest. “Hold on. I wasn’t finished. Even Mason and Anna seem close and he’s a Successor. My point is there’s a natural draw between a Keeper and his Seeker. Don’t hate Jerry because he couldn’t fight the same feeling you and other Keepers have.”

  “Fine, whatever, but something isn’t adding up, Dylan. There’s more our parents haven’t told us.”

  Dylan nodded. Something across the yard grabbed his attention. Layne followed his gaze. He spotted his father and Nicholas heading their way, probably to make sure everything was okay. He didn’t doubt Nicholas had been listening to their conversation.

  “You’re right, Layne.” Dylan’s voice softened. “There is more they haven’t told us. My gut says as much, but at this point, I don’t want to know anything else. I want time with Heaven and Adalyn.” His glare spoke of the anger Layne couldn’t sense. “I don’t care if you’re in love with Heaven. If it means she’s safe, then so be it. She’s still my soulmate. Your loving her doesn’t change that. It doesn’t change anything.”

  They said nothing else. They couldn’t. Nicholas and his companions were less than ten yards away. Their impending approach wasn’t the only thing preventing Layne from responding. Heaven’s energy pulsed around him. He focused on the vibration, finding the comfort he sought, though he didn’t enjoy it for long. Something else weighed on her heart, something that had him fighting the urge to go to her.

  He couldn’t go. Any opportunity he had to walk away vanished the second his father and Nicholas joined them. Their presence ended the awkward conversation between him and Dylan, and not a moment too soon. It kept him from saying something he’d regret, something Dylan couldn’t handle.

  The truth…

  Heaven may be his wife. She may even be his soulmate, but if he thought nothing had changed, he was mistaken. Everything had changed. The memories branded in Layne’s mind proved as much.

  * * *

  Heaven descended the last step and walked closer to the front door. She debated on whether to open it and walk outside. Then she could hear what Dylan and Layne were discussing. The longer she remained inside the house sensing their conflicting emotions, the harder it grew to stay away.

  A whimper drew her attention back to her arms, where Adalyn lay sleeping. Her daughter worried about her father, as well as Layne. But there was something else, something Heaven couldn’t sense in her like she did others.

  If only she had Adalyn’s ability to block her own emotions from people.

  The anxiety building in her chest began to wane, but the surge of energy in the room hinted to why. She met Scott’s gaze as he sat on the couch, observing her. Hope sat beside him, though she wasn’t looking in Heaven’s direction. She was too busy gawking at her swollen extremities.

  “Don’t worry about them, Heaven.” Scott finally spoke up. “They’ll work through things. They always have.”

  Damn Scott and his Cooler techniques. She hated when people used their abilities in sneaky ways, even if he was doing it for her benefit. Guess in a way, she did the same. No one really knew when she was reading them. They didn’t know that unlike most of them, she didn’t have a way to switch her powers on and off. They remained active, just under the surface, giving her a small break on occasion. Yet when she needed to tap into someone’s feelings, she could do so with ease.

  “I hope you’re right, Scott, but their lives aren’t the same. They’ve grown apart. I’ve pulled them apart.”

  “I won’t lie,” he continued, flashing Hope a quick glance. “I’m dreading the day that Hope’s Keeper comes along, but I know it’s something I will learn to appreciate in time. Dylan will learn to appreciate Layne.”

  Yeah, maybe he would…as long as she didn’t tell him what happened between her and Layne. Keeping the truth hidden would guarantee one thing—more lies would turn into secrets. Those secrets would be stolen moments with Layne because resisting him wouldn’t be easy. She didn’t want to resist him, didn’t want to forget the way his touch soothed her soul.

  God, what a mess…

  Guilt flooded her body, guilt that stemmed from the thought of hurting Dylan. It was selfish to want them both, to think they’d understand, or even go along with it. Still, the thought of losing either one…

  Another influx of energy swirled around her. Scott was working overtime to relieve her tension. While his powers did reduce the edginess, they did little else. No one could get her to fully relax like her husband, except for her Keeper.

  Adalyn’s whimper diverted her thoughts. She stroked her daughter’s cheek in hopes of soothing her. Perhaps she was still hungry. She hadn’t nursed long when she woke earlier. Al
l the chatting that happened after their family arrived must have disturbed her. She needed to be in her crib, amongst the peace and quiet the cottage provided.

  “Why don’t you let me take her for a bit, Hev?” Hope cooed the words as she leaned forward and stretched her arms toward Adalyn. “Go eat, sleep, or whatever you need to do. I’ll watch her for a while.”

  “I think she’s tired, Hope. There’s too much activity in this house, and it’s affecting her sleep.”

  “Oh, horse shit. Give her to me. I’ll prove you’re wrong.”

  Heaven glared at her sister’s hands as conflicting emotions beat within her. After spending so many hours away from her daughter, she wanted to be close to her. Then a wave of frustration and anger pulsed from the kitchen. The vibrations resembled Layne’s but differed. It was enough to convince her to hand over her daughter and investigate.

  She waited to see if Adalyn would be okay, but just as Hope promised, she seemed fine. Lying partially on Hope’s chest and well-rounded belly, her daughter’s emotions settled.

  “See.” Hope stroked Adalyn’s back. “She loves her Aunt Hope. Now go take care of yourself for a bit.”

  Giving her sister a curt nod, she refocused on Scott. His lips crooked in a smile before he leaned his head against the couch. His energy spun around her when she gave in and stared at the door.

  There was no sense in moderating the conversation between her husband and Keeper. Layne wouldn’t betray their secret, and keeping it a secret was the best thing for now. It had to be, until she could get some sleep. A decision this monumental had to be considered with a clear head, something she lacked at the moment.

  A half turn had her facing the back of the house. Hasty strides led her through it. The energy urging her forward still vibrated from the kitchen, which came into view once she passed through the dining room.

  The minute she entered the room, she spotted Layla sitting at the table. Layne’s mother didn’t acknowledge her presence, nor did she look away from the book she was reading. In fact, she kept flipping a few pages back and forth, like she was searching for something in particular.