Keeping Katie (Syndicate Kings Book 5)

I could have lost her. Who knows what that asshole would have done to her if I hadn’t decided to drive down the street in front of her parents’ house to check on her. I’d already driven past three times, but Marie had still been there. Then, the fourth time, I was just turning the corner and saw my girl in the front yard, struggling to get away from that asshole. I’d hit the speed dial on my car’s smart screen to send my location to the guys. Thank fuck Ronan and Bash were already out and somewhat nearby the same location.

If Bash hadn’t pulled me away from Calvin and told me Katie needed me, I probably would have blown his brains out right in the fucking yard. I know without even needing to ask that Bash is taking Calvin to a warehouse and will hold him there until I show up to finish him.

“Call the doc and have him meet us at the estate. I want him to check her over.”

Katie looks up while Ronan drives us home in my SUV. “I’m fine. I don’t need a doctor.”

Ronan smirks at me in the rearview mirror. I ignore him and stroke her hair. “You’re getting checked over by a doctor. You don’t have a choice. Your ankle is swollen, and I want to make sure you didn’t break any bones when you fell.”

“I think I would know if I broke a bone.”

I raise an eyebrow and stare down at her, my jaw flexing. “Now isn’t the time to sass me, baby. You’re seeing a doctor.”

She chews on her bottom lip for a second before she sighs and lays her head down again. I’m relieved she isn’t continuing to fight me because it wouldn’t end well for her. When it comes to her health and safety, I will always win. The fact that I already failed to keep her safe is gutting me. I’ll never forgive myself for it. She’ll be lucky if I even let her go to work by herself from now on. In fact, I think maybe I’ll learn how to run an espresso machine so she can’t burn herself anymore either.

Ronan starts making calls, but I tune him out and focus on my girl. She’s shivering. I squeeze her tighter even though it’s not cold in here. Fuck, I hate myself right now. I should have been with her. Why didn’t I insist on going with her?

“I’m so sorry, baby,” I whisper.

She tenses and tilts her back, her blue eyes sparkling. “You have no reason to be sorry. You saved me.”

My heart pounds, and a lump swells in my throat. I don’t know what I ever did to deserve her, but I’m never letting this angel go.

“Marry me.”

Seconds pass. Panic rises from the pit of my stomach. Shit. Why did I blurt that out? She deserves a proper proposal. Not when she’s injured and scared.

“Okay.” Her voice is soft but steady.

Did I hear her right?

“Okay?”

She nods. “Yes. I’ll marry you. Life is too short, and I’m in love with you, so yes.”

Ronan grins back at us in the rearview mirror. I’m so stunned that I can’t speak. So I don’t. Instead, I kiss her. Hard and deep. She returns as much as I give. Neither of us care that we’re not alone. We just need each other. My entire purpose in this life is now Katie.

“I love you, baby girl. So much,” I say, resting my forehead on hers. “You’ll never go another day without knowing how much you mean to me.”

She sniffles and wraps her hands in my shirt. We sit in silence for the remainder of the drive. When Ronan pulls up in front of Declan’s house, our doctor, Declan, Killian, and Kieran all rush out to help.

I scoop her up and carry her inside to the medical room we have set up. Normally, it’s used for removing bullets and stitching up stab wounds. Maybe we need to have another room just for when the girls need a doctor. Something that isn’t so sterile. I’m sure Declan will agree when I bring it up to him.

“Baby, this is Finn.” I motion to the doctor. He smiles at Katie. If I didn’t need him to check her out, I’d probably tell him to kick rocks and stop looking at my woman. I’ll save my jealousy for another time.

“You twisted your ankle pretty badly, huh?” Finn asks as he squats down in front of us.

I have her on my lap in one of the chairs because I can’t bear to part with her and put her on the exam table. As much as she needs me to be strong, I’m shaken to my core, and she’s my comfort.

Finn gently pulls her shoes off and rolls up her leggings so he can examine her. She’s already swollen, and a bruise is forming.

After a few seconds of pressing on different parts of her foot and leg, he rises and goes to the small refrigerator under a long counter. He grabs an ice pack and gently lays it over her ankle.

“You’re going to be fine. Stay off it for at least twenty-four hours and then only walk if you feel comfortable. Ice packs and elevating it will help with the swelling.”