Forged in Steele (KGI #7)(79)

Tears made her vision completely blurry and she hastily wiped at her eyes, colliding with Steele’s hands, which were still firmly cupping her cheeks.

“Oh God, Steele, I think I love you too.”

He pulled her into his arms, crushing her against him. “Thank f**k I’m not the only one drowning here.”

“What do we do now?” she whispered.

He laughed against her, his chest rumbling with the effort. “Well, right now we’re going to go eat breakfast and afterward I’m taking you shopping for some clothes. And if that doesn’t say I love you, I don’t know what does. I don’t go shopping for anyone.”

CHAPTER 30

AFTER shopping for maternity clothes—Maren knew she wouldn’t be in normal sizes for much longer—Steele stuffed her purchases into the back of his SUV and they drove toward the Kelly compound.

It had been a while since Maren had last visited KGI on their home turf. Not since she’d traveled here to care for Nathan’s wife, Shea, when she’d undergone so much trauma.

She was impressed by the progress. Construction was nearing completion. All that was left was to finish the airstrip and then they would no longer have to use the Henry County airfield where the Kelly jets were currently hangared.

“Are all the houses completed?” she asked as they drove through what now resembled a miniature army base.

“There’s a spot for Marlene and Frank to build their house, but so far Marlene has managed to stall and she and Frank are remaining where they are. Sam doesn’t like it, but there’s not much he can do short of bodily moving them.”

“What about Donovan and Joe?”

“Still living in Sam’s old house on the lake. Donovan has actually broken ground on his house, but he’s taking his time and it’s been slow going. I don’t think he’s in a hurry. And Joe hasn’t even started. He’s pretty happy where he is.”

“Bet they’ll change their minds when they meet the right woman,” she murmured.

“A few months ago I would have disagreed,” he said ruefully. “Now, not so much.”

She smiled at him. He was cute in his befuddlement. But she had to hand it to him. He was taking their relationship—or whatever the hell it was they had—very well. He hadn’t seemed to fight it at all, though she had no idea what had gone on in his mind, especially when she’d been missing for so many weeks.

Maybe in that time he’d come to terms with his feelings for her. It had definitely solidified things in her mind. But then she’d already fallen hard and fast from the very first night they’d spent together.

“I’d love to see Rachel and the babies while I’m here,” she said. “Do you think she and Ethan would mind if I stopped by?”

“I don’t think they’d mind at all. We’ve all been worried sick about you, Maren. Everyone is going to be very relieved, and happy, to see you. You’re important to us all.”

Her cheeks warmed at the glowing compliment. It was nice to be regarded so highly. She counted them as friends—good friends—and it was nice to hear that they counted her the same.

They drove past the war room, where most of the planning and intelligence meetings took place. She perked up, curious because she’d imagined they’d go there, but now that they’d passed it, she was relieved. She wasn’t up for a sterile, intimidating meeting where she gave an accounting.

She relaxed when they pulled up to Sam’s sprawling house. There were no other vehicles besides Sam’s and Sophie’s. It looked to be a quiet meeting, whatever it turned out to be.

Steele reached over and squeezed her hand. “There’s something I want you to know so you aren’t unprepared and also so you know it’s not too late to back out. Everyone has arranged a little surprise party for you. They’re all thrilled and relieved to have you back and safe. I didn’t want to blindside you with this, so that’s why I’m ruining the surprise, so to speak. Sam told me about it this morning when I talked to him. He didn’t want me to tell you, but I don’t want to overwhelm you. So are you going to be okay with this? Because if you’d rather not deal with this today, I’ll absolutely turn around and I’ll let Sam know we can do it another time.”

She smiled, warmth traveling through her chest at the idea that everyone was so relieved she was safe and that they wanted to welcome her back. She squeezed his hand back. “That sounds really perfect, and I appreciate the heads-up so I don’t make an ass out of myself.”

“So you want to do it?”

“Yeah, let’s do it. I can’t wait to see everyone.”

Steele got out and waited at the front of the vehicle for her to meet him, and then he fell into step beside her, wrapping an arm loosely around her waist as he guided her toward the back of the house.

When the deck came into sight, Maren’s throat tightened. The entire Kelly clan was there and so were the KGI teams. All three of them!

A round of applause broke out and cheers erupted into the air. Charlotte was holding a fistful of balloon strings and she let them go, shrieking with delight as the balloons lifted and sailed away.

Maren stood stock-still, her mouth still open as Steele turned to her and grinned.

“Surprise,” he said in a low voice. “I told you that you’re very important to us, Maren.”