All Jacked Up (Rough Riders #8)(96)

“If you haven’t noticed, Keely ain’t exactly six years old anymore. She’s old enough to make up her own damn mind about when she needs protection and who she wants it from.”


“Are you taking Jack’s side?” Carter demanded.


“No, I’m takin’ Keely’s side.”


Keely’s head spun. Was she having an out-of-body experience? Or was she just in the throes of a bizarre dream? Had her brothers really kidnapped Jack? And dragged him out here like some kind of trophy for defending her honor? Instead of her father high-fiving them, he was chewing collective ass?


“Don’t get me wrong. I understand where you’re all comin’ from. I thought about flaying the skin offa Jack a piece at a time myself. But the bottom line is Keely chose Jack. He might not be the one you’da picked or I’da picked for her. Jack might be dumb as shit, but we’ve all been there. Complete and total dumbasses when it comes to the women in our lives. None of us can claim we didn’t make a mistake or two. But we’ve managed to figure out how to fix ’em on our own, and I’ve gotta give Jack the benefit of the doubt and allow him the same chance with Keely.”


She bit her lip, surprised she had the urge to weep within this cloud of testosterone.


“Girlie, tell your brothers goodnight.” He turned his back on his sons and crouched by Jack.


Grumbles. Curses. But Carson McKay had said his piece and his word was law.


Cam gave Keely a hug. “If you change your mind and decide to shoot him, I can get you off on a self-defense charge.”


“Thanks, Cam. But that won’t be necessary.”


Colby pressed a jar into her hand as he kissed her forehead. “This’ll help with his sore muscles. Not much good on bruises, though.”


“Bruises? What the hell did you guys do—”


“What we thought was right,” Colt said, holding her tight. “Can’t blame us for looking out for you, Keels, because we love you.”


She swallowed the lump in her throat. “You’re gonna make me cry.”


“As long as they’re happy tears, I don’t mind. I mostly recognize the difference now.” Cord wrapped her in a one-armed hug and mumbled, “Call AJ tomorrow.”


“I will.” Keely faced a hangdog Carter.



“You deserve the best, K. We’d do anything for you, don’t you know that? I feel so damn guilty because Jack is my friend. I brought this on you—”


Keely wrapped her arms around him and whispered, “No, Carter, you brought him to me. Thank you.”


He pecked her on the cheek. “In that case, you’re welcome. And tell him I’m sorry about his jaw.”


She didn’t even ask what the hell that was about.


Her heroic, but slightly misguided brothers loaded up in Cord’s truck and were gone. She didn’t move until after the dust settled.


The fire had died down. Keely stoked it, gathering her thoughts before she wandered to where her dad and Jack sat, speaking in low tones.


Jack wouldn’t look at her. His elbows rested on his knees. He’d aimed his face at the ground.


“Daddy, how did you know—”


“About your brothers goin’ all vigilante? I didn’t. ’Cause I sure wouldn’t’ve condoned it. Jack called me earlier this morning and admitted he’d screwed up with you big time. He asked if I’d help him find you.


Evidently, before I made it to your apartment, the boys showed up and took matters into their own hands.


AJ called me because she knew something was up.”


“She also felt guilty because she told Cord where she thought I might be hiding out, huh?” Keely asked.


“That too.” He sighed. “Look. I’ve given Jack a hard time since you came home wearin’ his ring. I stopped questioning how he felt about you after he asked me to see to getting up a teardown party for your building.”


She froze. “Jack set that up? Not you?”


“Yep. He didn’t want credit. He just wanted it done and wanted you happy. That told me a lot about the kind of man he is.”


“I know a little about picking good men, since I’ve been surrounded by them my whole life.”


“I never doubted how you felt about him, punkin, I just never thought he could handle you. Now I see he handles you just fine.”


Keely heard Jack snicker.


“And I also realize you ain’t a little girl and I oughta butt out of your life.”


“Whatever you did, you did out of love, Daddy, not spitefulness, not meanness. I hope the day never comes that you butt completely out of my life.”


He smiled. “Never thought I’d hear you say that.” He looked over at Jack. “Takes a big man to admit his mistakes and ask for forgiveness, Keely. Remember that. Jack might be dense, but he ain’t dumb.” He gathered her in a fierce hug and whispered, “Does he make you happy?”


She whispered back, “When he’s not making me crazy.”


“Then I reckon everything will turn out fine.”