“Keera, we’ve found it,” Arden said.
Keera looked up, finding Arden and Declan standing in the doorway, solemn expressions on their faces. She was curled up on the couch, Max at her side, his head in her lap, his favorite position.
“Are you sure?” she asked.
It had been three months since Ethan’s death, and Arden’s and Max’s shooting. It had been three beautiful months, where she’d grown to love and trust so fully she couldn’t imagine her life without Arden and his family in it.
But the weight of what had happened had been hanging on her shoulders that entire time, and she wanted more answers. She needed to be able to let go of her past, to have a fresh slate so she and Arden could marry and live their lives as normally as possible.
She was no longer afraid of shaming his family. His parents had accepted her with open arms, and even if she had felt inadequate, it was impossible to not feel loved as they embraced her, treating her as if she’d always been a part of their family.
“We’re absolutely sure,” Arden told her.
“What do we do now?” she asked.
“We see what people were so willing to kill for,” Declan said.
Keera rose, making Max grumble. She apologized and gave him an extra scratch before she began moving toward Arden. She was ready to face whatever it was she needed to face as long as she had her man and dog by her side. Before she could say anything else, the front door crashed open. Both Arden and Declan turned, drawing their guns. Even after months of peace, it appeared they were all still jumpy.
“There’s a forest fire,” Owen shouted as he rounded the corner, not concerned with seeing two of his brothers armed.
“What are you talking about?” Arden asked.
“Where you two were earlier,” Owen said, somewhat out of breath.
“Wait, near the vault?” Declan asked, his body tense.
“Yeah, we’ve all been called in,” Owen told him. “But it’s quickly getting out of control. This isn’t a natural disaster. Someone set it.”
Keera felt her blood run cold. “It’s not over for me, is it?” she asked.
All three brothers turned to look at her before Arden holstered the weapon he must have forgotten he’d been holding, and quickly strode to her side.
“I don’t think this has to do with you,” he assured her.
“How can you say that? Since I’ve come here so much bad has happened,” she told him.
“No, you’ve brought nothing but light to my world,” he assured her. “I think this goes deeper than any of us could possibly know. But we will figure it out.”
Declan looked at her, determination in his gaze. “Yes, we will, and you have nothing to worry about.”
There was so much more to Declan than he allowed the world to see. She was grateful he’d chosen her as one of the people he let in.
“We can talk about the merits of who and what later. We need all hands on deck,” Owen said. “I’m barely back a couple of months and someone’s trying to burn down my town. Let’s go.”
When they stepped outside, they could see the haze in the distance where smoke was rising. This wasn’t a small fire, and it wasn’t going to be easily contained. It appeared as if the mysteries were continuing to unravel.
Keera looked at Arden as he gazed out at the horizon, his brows knit, worry in his eyes. Instead of tensing, she relaxed. They might not have all the answers they needed, but that didn’t matter. As long as she was beside Arden, she was safe; she was where she needed to be.
“Go be a hero,” she told him.
He looked down at her, so much love shining in his eyes it took her breath away. Then he leaned in and kissed her, still causing butterflies to dance in her belly.
“Hey, I’m the hero,” Owen insisted as he tugged on his brother. “I’m the fireman.”
“Every story needs its hero. I guess it’s your turn,” Arden said with a chuckle. He gave Keera another quick kiss, then the three brothers raced away.
Maybe the vault would burn and she’d never see what was inside it. Right now, she didn’t even care. She had the love of her life, and she was free—free to live however she wanted. She’d gotten her happily ever after, even if she hadn’t been seeking it.