Free Obsession and Surrender (The Billionaire's Temptation Book 7) by Cali MacKay Page A

flicked the cap off a bottle of beer and handed it to Keane. “It’s hell when they’re in danger.”
    Keane tilted the bottle toward him in thanks. “You’re not kidding. Knowing this guy’s out there, stalking her, trying to find her, is making me fucking crazy. The thought of her coming to harm is doing my head in.”
    “I nearly lost Hadley, you know.” Gabe took a long swig and leaned back against the counter, looking far more serious than Keane could ever remember seeing him. “Some psycho was pissed off at my family, and Hadley was helping with the investigation. He drugged her…kidnapped her… Worse day of my fucking life—and the best, when I finally had her safely back in my arms, unharmed.”
    “I can’t even imagine what that must have been like.” The mere thought of something like that happening to Lilly was enough to make him insane and fiercely protective of her.
    “Hopefully it’ll all be over soon, and the two of you will be able to get back to your lives.” Gabe took another swig of his beer and tilted his head toward Lilly and Hadley. “And in the meantime, whatever you do, don’t let her out of your sight. Not even for a moment.”
    “Easier said than done, when she wants to murder me half the time.” Although Keane did feel like things between them were starting to turn a corner.
    Gabe let out a laugh and shook his head. “Believe me—I’ve been there. I can’t tell you how many times I pissed off Hadley at the beginning of our relationship.”
    “That’s an understatement.” Hadley walked over and bumped Gabe’s shoulder with hers, giving him a teasing smile, while Lilly settled in at Keane’s side. “We’re done for now, but I’ll be sure to keep you updated as soon as I have any information.”
    “Anything you have on Sirius would help. We don’t know where he lives, what he does for a living… We don’t even know what he looks like.” That was probably the scariest part. He could walk right past them, sit next to them at a restaurant, and they wouldn’t even know it.
    “We’ll find this guy. You have my word, though…so far, he’s managed to keep his tracks covered. I hate to say it but he knows what he’s doing.” Hadley gave him an apologetic look.
    “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
    ***
    “Where are we going?” Lilly was looking a little more relaxed now that they’d gotten her a new laptop, but Keane was still thinking that a day out and about might help her forget some of her problems.
    “Maybe take a walk on the beach…grab some dinner.” Dividing his attention between Lilly and the road, Keane reached over and gave her hand a squeeze. “Sirius doesn’t know where you are, love. And we’re going to keep it that way.”
    “What if we can’t find him—what if he finds me first? He’s escalating things…and it scares me.”
    He knew she had every right to be scared when they didn’t know how psychotic this guy was.
    “I’d lay down my life to protect you, Lilly. I fucking mean it. He’ll have to go through me first to get to you.” ’Cause he knew all too well that life without Lilly in it was fucking pointless.
    She caught him off guard when she leaned over and nestled against his shoulder. It was the first bit of affection she’d showed him without him initiating it. “That’s what worries me, Keane. I’m putting you in danger. If he comes after me, you’ll end up in the crossfire. And I can’t deal with that.”
    The last thing he needed was for her to start pulling away from him because of Sirius, especially when things between them were finally on the right path. “We’re both safe for now—and it’ll stay that way. You hear me? It’s not going to do you any good to worry, and there’s no way I’m letting you deal with this on your own.”
    “That’s not your decision to make…even if I appreciate it.” She let out a ragged breath and sat back in her seat, as he steered them toward the ocean.
    “You’re the