“What’s up?”
Kelsey steps inside and looks around the house as if it’s brand new as if it’s her first time seeing the place. “The security system is new.”
“It is,” I sigh. “Daddy’s been a bit more security conscious since your kidnapping.”
She shrugs off my words silently and makes her way to the spacious living room that doesn’t get much living before she turns on me, blue eyes blazing with fury.
“You followed Ace.” Her words aren’t a question but an accusation.
“I did,” I tell her without a hint of guilt or shame. “I’m worried about you, Kels. Those men are dangerous.”
Admittedly, Ace did bring me home instead of leaving my dead body dumped in the desert somewhere. It came as quite a surprise as I was sure he would do something harmful to me.
“You’re the dangerous one, McKenna. Do you know what could have happened to you, following him around like that?”
“Ha!” I point a finger at her unintentional mistake. “So you admit they’re dangerous.”
Kelsey’s blonde hair brushes her shoulders as she shakes her head at me. “No, I’m saying that there’s a lot of shit going on that you know nothing about, and you’re lucky Ace is a man who asks questions first. What if he’d just assumed you were working for Hector or any of the Iron Kings?”
I shudder at her words, remembering the feel of the cold metal of the gun pressed to the back of my neck. The loud sound of the gun clicking as Ace held it, aiming right at my head. “None of that happened.”
“This time.” She drops down on the sofa and looks up at me with angry yet pleading eyes. “Kenna, you have to stop this. Next time you might not be so lucky.”
I open my mouth to tell her I’m not stopping.
“I mean, what were you hoping to gain?”
I fold my arms defensively and drop down on the plush chair to Kelsey’s left so we can look at each other. “I was thinking that maybe I’d find out what they’re up to so that you can see the light and come home.”
“I am home, Kenna, and it’s time, no, it’s past time, for you to let that sink into your thick skull. I know who the Reckless Souls are and what they do. You have a problem with it, not me.”
“You’re not thinking clearly, Kelsey.”
“Fuck you, Kenna. Don’t use my trauma against me. I’m making the best decision for me, and you don’t have to like it, just accept it.”
“Well, I don’t accept that, Kels. I can’t. I just want you safe.”
“I am safe. Safer than I am here.”
I let my head fall back and laugh. “Now I know you’re lying. None of this would have happened to you if it wasn’t for them.”
“No, none of this would have happened if Hector’s men had an ounce of honor. They saw Coop and I together and knew how he felt about me. They used his feelings for me to take me as a hostage, to try and force the Reckless Souls to give up their business to save my life. You think Dad would ever do that for me? Or you?”
She sat tall, her eyes blazing with fury and a knowing expression on her face. “You might feel safe here, but I feel safer with Coop. I know he and the guys are always looking out for me.”
“And I’m not?”
“I don’t know what the hell you’re doing, Kenna. But I’m sure it has very little to do with me. Lurking around the port is a great way to get yourself hurt. Or worse.”
“I’ll be fine. Those guys aren’t silly enough to come after me.”
Kelsey shakes her head, a sympathetic smile on her face. “That’s what you’re not getting, Kenna. It’s not just the Reckless Souls you have to worry about. What happens if Hector finds out you’re my sister? What happens if someone else finds you lurking in bushes, spying on them? At best, they’ll think you’re spying for another MC or one of the local gangs. At worst? They might peg you for law enforcement.”
Her words have the desired effect. “If you’re trying to scare me about the fact that you’re surrounded by criminals, it’s working.”
“I’m fine. I’m safe, and with the help of Coop and my therapist, I’m getting better every day. The guys are having a little get-together tomorrow night to celebrate. You should come by. Get to know them to see for yourself who they are.”
“Are you kidding? No way!”
Kelsey rolls her eyes. “Because your asshole friends are so much better?”
“At least they aren’t criminals,” I shoot back.
“Only because their daddies pay their way out of the consequences for their actions.” Kelsey stands and glares down at me. “You don’t want to come to celebrate my decision to go to UCLA for medical school? Fine. But these are good men who do a job you don’t agree with. They take care of me and keep me safe. They are my friends. If you can’t accept that, then stay the hell away.”