The Keeper: Chapter 19

“Baby. The ceilings in the condo are only ten feet tall. This tree is taller than that.” Easton pulls my white cashmere hat down over my ears and kisses me. “We need to look over there, where the smaller ones are.”

“But I got enough lights and decorations for a big tree.” I fake pout and bite down on my bottom lip until my husband groans. Yup. That always gets him going. His thumb replaces my teeth, and he gets all growly.

“Unless you want me to throw you over my shoulder and drag you home right now, you need to stop doing that.”

I circle my arms around his neck and press up on my toes. “You’re not exactly deterring me, Easton.”

“Aunt Lindy, Aunt Lindy,” my nephews Atlas and Asher call out to me as they run my way. The eight-year-old twins are followed more slowly by their older sister, Saylor, and teenage brother, Cohen, with my brother Jace and his wife, India, behind them.

I drop my arms and turn to hug the boys.

This is the longest I’ve gone without seeing my family. But between the drama still brewing and the intense media scrutiny we’ve been under, laying low has been easier than dealing with everything.

Saylor pushes the boys out of her way and wraps an arm around my waist. The little blonde pixie is the spitting image of her mother, down to her quiet demeanor. “Missed you,” she softly tells me, never wanting to bring any attention to herself. Which works for her because her brothers demand every second of it.

Cohen, who at fifteen is already as tall as his father, wraps an arm around my shoulder and squeezes. “You getting this tree, Aunt Lindy?”

“I don’t know . . .” I drag out as I look at my brother and his wife. “Easton says it’s too big.”

India shakes her head and kisses my cheek. “They always think it’s too big, but they always make it fit.”

Jace coughs, Easton chokes, and Cohen groans and walks away, declaring he’s getting hot cocoa.

“Hey, why don’t you guys go with your brother? We’ll meet you at the car in a few minutes,” India tells the kids, then watches them walk away before she smacks Jace. “You’re terrible. That is not what I meant. And now my son thinks too big.”

Jace grabs India’s ass. “Come on, pretty girl. You know it is.”

He doubles over when she throws an elbow at his kidneys.

“I’ll stop,” he groans out.

I enjoy the way Easton’s hand lands protectively on my hip as he pulls me into him. “Enjoying the day off, man?” E asks Jace.

“Yeah. Catching up on some family time. How about you guys?” He looks between us, and I’m pretty sure he’s not plotting Easton’s death, so that’s something.

Easton squeezes my hip, and I lean against him. Well, we’ve been to three different stores, getting holiday stuff, and now your sister wants a tree that won’t fit in the condo. So I’m not really sure how the rest of the day is gonna go.”

There’s no heat behind his words, and it might make me sound silly, but I love that he’s teasing me like this. Like this is just a normal day for us.

“Ha. Good luck with that,” India snorts. “Kingstons always want the biggest tree they can get their hands on. It never fits, then half the brothers come over to be manly men and stand around the thing, drink a few beers, and bust out their chainsaws to make it fit in the house. It’s tradition.”

My heart aches because I haven’t seen any of my brothers, except Jace, in weeks.

Easton must sense my sudden sadness because the hand resting discreetly on my hip curls around my waist, and he kisses the top of my head. “Sounds like we better add a chainsaw to our list, princess. If you want this tree, I’ll call Pace, and we’ll make it fit for you.”

“Thanks,” I whisper and turn to my brother. “See you guys later.”

“Lindy,” Jace calls out. “Stop.”

When I raise my eyes to his, anger mixes with sadness and threatens to spill over. “You didn’t do anything wrong, Jace. It’s okay.”

“It’s not okay. Somebody has to make the first move, and I know you’re not going to want to hear this, but you’re younger, Linds. It’s got to be you. Come to the game tomorrow night. At least then, you’ll have to see some of them. It could be a start.”

“Maybe,” I offer without making any promises.

“I’ll be there with the kids,” India tells me as she reaches out and squeezes my hand. “Ask my somewhat misguided husband. I’ve been so excited for you and Easton since I found out you two got married. I always thought you would end up together.”

You’d think by now I’d be done tearing up, but apparently, I’m not. “You’re the first person in the family to say that.”

“Thanks, India,” Easton tells her. “We have a meeting with Sam tomorrow to discuss getting Lindy security on her terms. I think we need to make sure we’ve got something in place before she goes to one of my games. These fucking paparazzi are like roaches. They’re fucking everywhere.”

“

?” Jace’s shocked voice almost makes me laugh—almost. “You’re going to give in and get Charles back?”

“Maybe. We’re going to see what Sam says. I’m telling you, Jace. I’m not doing this again if anyone other than me is in charge of it. If I give in and get security, they have to answer to me.”

“Give in to who?” Jace asks, confusion lacing his tone.

“To me,” Easton pulls me closer. “They followed us to the grocery store last week. She canceled her baby skaters classes because she didn’t want to leave the damn house. I need her safe.” He turns me to face him, and I hate the guilt I see on his face. “You’ll have all the control, baby. But you need someone there when I can’t be.”

“Can we please just get the tree? I was having a good day, and I don’t want to ruin it. We’ll deal with it tomorrow.”

I may know I need security, but I’ve only just started to get a tiny glimpse of having a life without being followed by a bodyguard, and it felt really nice to not be followed twenty-four seven. Knowing I need one is pissing me off.

“Yeah, princess. Let’s go home.”

I nod and lean into him. “Let’s go home.”

“Okay, that’s fucking hot.” Everly taps her martini glass to mine and sips as we watch Easton, Pace, Maddox, and Callen working to get our tree up. India was right, Easton and Pace had to cut the bottom off to get the thing to fit in our condo. But it was worth it because it’s perfect, and now I have an incredible view of my husband’s ass as he sets up the tree.

“You realize Callen’s over there too, right?” Grace asks as Everly drools over Pace and his arm porn. I mean I can get on board with it. He came from the office in a rolled-up white dress shirt before he started helping Easton. Brightly colored tattoos cover his forearms, which flex and move as he helps Easton adjust the tree.

Kenzie comes in with the shaker of candy-cane martinis and looks at the guys, then back over to us. “Have you seen him since we’ve been back from Vegas, Evie?”

“Nope. I came, he conquered. No repeat needed.”

I choke on my martini and somehow avoid snorting it out of my nose as Brynlee sighs.

“Seriously, this is better than porn if you can get past Maddox over there.” Bryn kicks her feet up on the coffee table. “I need to get laid.”

“I volunteer as tribute,” Callen announces, then winks at Brynlee, and we all laugh.

That’s how our night goes.

Lots of laughter.

Lots of drinks.

Maddox gets someone to deliver from Sam’s restaurant, Nonna’s, and we decorate my first big Christmas tree in my first place with my husband. Easton corners me in the kitchen while Callen and Evie argue whether the tree needs ribbon or popcorn strands. He lifts me onto the counter, and I wrap my legs around his waist.

“Did you notice nobody knocked before they came in, princess? Not even Callen or Maddox.” His nose runs up my neck, and my head drops back against the cabinet behind me.

“Better get used to it, hockey boy. They don’t knock. If you want privacy, you better lock the door.”

“Don’t bother,” Maddox tells us as he walks into the kitchen and grabs two beers out of the fridge. He opens them both, then hands one to Easton. “I’ve got keys to the whole building.”

“Wait.” I push Easton away and hop down. “I own the building, and I don’t have keys to everything. Why do you . . . how do you?”

“I have my ways, trouble. Hear you’re meeting with Dad tomorrow.”

“You know everything too, madman?”

“Wouldn’t you like to find out.” He turns and walks away, and Easton looks at me funny.

“Glad he’s on our side,” he tells me.

“You have no idea.” I lace my fingers with his and tug him behind me. “Come on, everybody. Stand in front of the tree with us. Who has the longest arms?”

“What kind of kinky shit are you guys into?” Callen asks.

I smack him and hiss when my hand hurts instead of his chest. “Asshole. I want a selfie with all of us. If the rags are going to gossip and guess, let’s at least give them a good pic for a change.”

Brynlee takes my phone from my hand. “It’s called a timer, Linds. Give me a second.”

She sets the phone up on a shelf and runs back over to us, and we all squeeze together.

“Everyone say .”

A round of gets called out as we all laugh, and I post it on my own social-media account for the first time in weeks.

That ought to shut them all up.