See How She Runs (The Chronicles of Izzy #1)(70)

She really unnerved me and maybe I should find out her name so I could stop referring to her as "the old crone."

“What’s her name?" I asked Kennan.

“That is Isadora," Kennan said with a knowing look.

“Wait. That is what my dad wanted to name me," I said, looking back over my shoulder.

“Yeah, well she knew your family quite well. She was very close to your mother. She helped to put your parents into hiding," Kennan said, barely above a whisper.

“So she is definitely on team good guy then?" I asked as we made our way back toward our room.

“Yeah, definitely team good guy. But right now all I really want to talk about is what is hiding under those clothes," Kennan growled causing me to giggle.

He chased me into the room and I squealed as he tackled me to the bed. He went about having his naughty way with me. Not that I put up too much of a fight. I quite liked it.





**********





We spent the next few days in and out of meetings. I never gleaned any useful information from them. I considered it to be an exercise in self-control. I had a hard time keeping my hands off of Kennan, and the meetings seemed to cool my engines enough to make me focus.

Kennan was able to pull me out of all of my dreams and I had started to sleep well for the first time in ages. It seemed like his presence was scaring off whatever was haunting my dreams. By the seventh night, I did not have any nightmares.

“Nightmare free," I said in wonder when we woke that morning.

“Thank the gods," Kennan breathed. “I don’t know how you survived them as long as you did, Izzy. Just seven nights of that was horrifying.”

“Well, I had someone worth holding on for," I mumbled into his chest. “Hey, I have a question for you.”

“Well, enlighten me. What would you like to ask from your very handsome, very giving Guardian?" Kennan preened while I smacked him in the chest.

“I wanted to know if we could give the house to Molly and Ian. I don’t really want to go back there. There are too many memories there. I was thinking maybe we could relocate," I said hopefully. It was something I had been thinking of for a long time.

“Sure, I have no particular attachment to Chicago. Well, other than you of course. The bar is doing really well, so I feel fine leaving it in Marky’s capable hands."

“Wait, what? Do you own that bar?" I asked, confused.

“Oh, yeah, I own the bar. So there is that. I own a few businesses. I have been around for an exceedingly long time, Izzy. So just tell me where you want to move and I will make it happen.”

“Um, are you rich?" I asked, wondering why it had not occurred to me before.

“We are rich," he said as he ran his hand up and down my side.

“So, you are rich," I corrected.

“Nope, we are," he said not bothering to open his eyes.

“What is with this 'we' business?" I asked, starting to get frustrated.

“Oh, you are going to marry me," he said.

“Oh, I am, am I? This is news to me. You are awfully sure of yourself there buster," I said, glaring at him.

“Hmm, did you say something? I was thinking a fall wedding would be nice," he continued like I was not even there.

“Fine, but let me be absolutely clear on one thing. I am not ready for the 2.5 kids yet and I am not sold on the whole picket fence thing," I sighed. I knew fighting him would be futile and in the end, I really did not want to. He was everything I had ever wanted.

“The 2.5 kids can wait and the picket fence is completely negotiable. So where are we going to be raising these hellions anyway? You said you wanted to move.”

“I am thinking I want to go back down to L.A.”

“I think that would be perfect. I know just the town. It is quiet and small and no one will bother us down there. Plus it is an easy drive to the beach.”

“So where are we going K.O.?" I asked as I climbed over him to straddle his body.

“We are moving you back to Geneva. Alabama," he said as I began to ride him. “So, does that suit you, Mrs. O’Malley.”

“Not Mrs. O’Malley yet," I sighed as I surrendered to his primal needs.





**********





We left the Council headquarters, assuring Molly that she and Ian could have the house free and clear. I promised to sign the deed over as soon as we were settled. I also had to promise Molly that there were two separate rooms. I had a feeling she would be installing extra locks on her bedroom door. We had a tearful goodbye and I knew that I would miss my friends.

These people had been more faithful to me than I had ever deserved. Just as we headed out to the car Isadora approached us. She pulled me into a hug, which utterly confused me. This woman was as distant as they came. She bent over my ear and whispered, “They are still watching you, be careful my dear. If you see anything or you have any fears you call me directly. Trust no one but the ones you do now."

She pulled back and placed a small piece of paper in my hand. She hugged Kennan next. “You guard her and keep her."

She nodded at us before quickly disappearing.

“Well that was odd," I said, not sure what to make of the whole situation.