Keeley's Fight (The Protectors 1)

“Yes sir, we’ll leave as soon as we can,” he replied to whomever he was talking to and hung up.

“What’s going on?” Ty asked him, not liking the look on his face.

“We’ve been hired to go to Africa with some oil tycoon, to check an oil well that’s misfiring. He requested you and me, personally,” Nate explained.

“When do we leave?”

“As soon as possible.”

“Shit, Keeley’s not gonna like it. Hell, I don’t like it,” Ty murmured.

“Neither do I man, but we shouldn’t be gone for long. A week tops,” Nate assured him. “Let’s go break the news to our girl. We’re going to have to hand over the meeting to Dane and Coop, for Miss Baxter’s case,” Nate said as they were walking out of their shared office, and back to Keeley. Seeing her bent over her desk concentrating on what she was doing, Ty couldn’t help feeling slightly depressed that they had to leave her soon.

“Hey, Butterfly. Ty and I have to talk to you for a second,” Nate said cautiously.

Frowning at the tone of his voice, she knew something was up. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing darlin’. We got a job and we have to leave ASAP,” Ty informed her.

Seeing her face drop at the news, he felt worse than he already did. “For how long? Will it be dangerous?” She asked them, worrying her hands together.

“Shouldn’t be more than a week. We’re escorting some oil tycoon to Africa to check out one if his wells.” Nodding her head, she gave a small smile.

“You have to leave now? What about Emily? Will someone be taking her case?” She asked them, worriedly.

“Yes, Butterfly. We’re gonna hand it over to Coop and Dane before we go. We won’t leave her hanging.” Nate pulled her up from her chair to kiss her lips. “We’ll be home before you know it. Plus, our parents and Kenny will stop by, I’m sure.” Nate smiled at her.

“Come here, darlin’.” Ty said while pulling her from Nate. Kissing her lips and hugging her body to him, Ty basked in her scent and the perfection that was her in his arms. “We’ll call you when we can, but reception will be spotty, ok?” At her nod, he gave her another kiss before pulling away.

“Just be safe, please? I love you both.” She smiled that sweet smile at them, with a little wave.

“We love you, too, Butterfly. Never doubt that,” Nate reassured her before they went looking for Dane or Coop.

*******

H

aving to say goodbye to Nathaniel and Tyler, without crying, was one of the hardest things Keeley had ever done. She was going to miss them something fierce.

Almost finished with her day, Dane and Coop walked up, with Dane swinging a set of keys from his fingers. “Hey, little lady, the guys forgot to give you these before they left.” He smiled big, making her suspicious. In the last three weeks, she and Dane had gotten very close. He was a great friend to have, but he struggled with how people perceived him as someone to be feared, because of his size. He treated her like a little sister, and she basked in the knowledge that she truly had a good friend in him.

“What are they for? I have my house keys,” she asked still confused.

“And just how did you think you were going to get home? It’s an hour’s drive away. Too far to walk.” Coop chuckled at her shocked face, because she truly hadn’t thought about it.

“Umm, I never thought about it I guess,” she replied while shutting down her computer, and almost freaking out at the prospect of how she was getting home.

“Grab your stuff and follow us,” Dane told her before turning to walk out of the building, leaving her with little option but to follow them. Getting outside the sun was still shining, and traffic was starting to pick up. Seeing Dane and Coop standing by a blue Ford Explorer confused and stunned her. “That’s not mine, is it? I’ve never owned a vehicle before,” she said in awe.

“Of course, it is. You didn’t think they’d leave you without transpo, did you?” Dane smirked at her.

“Well, no. I mean, I really didn’t think about it.”

“Get in, try it out.” Coop directed, walking around the front and opening the driver’s side door for her. Climbing in she instantly fell in love with the cream colored leather seats and interior; it had a sunroof and automatic everything. She was also happy to note it wasn’t manual. She had told them last week that she could drive, but not to ever expect her to drive a stick shift. She’d crash.

“It’s mine?” She asked quietly before squealing out, “It’s mine!!” in her excitement.

When Dane handed her the keys, she immediately started it up and unrolled all the windows and turned the music on. “Alright little lady, before you go, it has an automatic starter, alarm, and GPS; in case you get lost and we have to come rescue you.” Dane joked. “Now drive safe and call either of us for anything at any time, you got me?”