Keller County Cops Book Seven: Code of Vengeance (29 page)

"My fiancée, who knocks people off just by singling them out." He grinned, and then leaned in and captured her lips in a soft, sweet kiss that rocked her to her toes. "You're one scary woman. One word out of you, and everyone should fall in line."

"Thanks, I think." Grateful he hadn't pushed her away, she laughed. Telling him the truth about everything, from the guns to her plan to target Foster, had made her feel pounds lighter. She still had one thing to relay to him, however. She pulled back and gnawed her lip.

He frowned. "Uh-oh. What haven't you told me?"

"That I also own a... um, a motorcycle. A Kawasaki." She shrugged. "I rode it to the Kitty Kat Klub the night Dirk died and hid it a couple of streets over."

"Wow. That is
so
damned hot." He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "Don't know if I can keep up with you or not, you sexy lady."

"Probably not when I ride the bike." She laughed and nudged him with her shoulder. "Makes for a pretty fast getaway."

"Really? Then you'd better park it." He smirked. "'Cause I don't plan to let you get away, at least until after the election."

"Oh, is that right?" She lifted a brow.

He nodded. "Yeah, you heard me. You're stuck with me... for now, anyway."

Then he kissed her for real.

Four months later.

"Our exit polls tell us incumbent Keller County Sheriff Rick Blaylock should win re-election by a landslide," anchorman Todd Jenkins stated during WHBZ's six o'clock news broadcast. He turned to the woman sitting next to him and curved his mouth in a bright, knowing smile. "Polls close in less than an hour. What do you think, Mindy?"

"Well, considering Blaylock's opponent, Hunter's Bayou businessman Henry Maillet, has been indicted for extortion, money laundering, fraud, wire-tapping, and a host of securities violations and other infractions, I'm not surprised," Mindy Ravens said, satisfaction filling her gaze. Her smile was even broader than Todd's. "The indictments came down too late for election officials to take his name off the ballot, so voters could still choose him. Yet chances are that even if he does win, he won't be allowed to take office."

Hidden by the door of Rick's office, Keegan turned and kissed him full on the mouth.

"Bet she loves saying those words," she said as she stepped back with her own satisfied smile. "Not only did she receive vindication thanks to that article Willa wrote about her, but she also helped you wrap up Maillet's indictments. And that, of course, ensured you'd be re-elected."

"How do
you
feel about my winning?"

"I'm happy." She rubbed her thumb along the edge of his smoothly shaven chin. His uniform clung to his broad shoulders, and that sent a thrill through her. Who knew she was a sucker for a man wearing his dress whites? She grinned. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"You had to stop your search for vengeance." He caught her hand.

She squeezed his fingers. "Yeah, and in my opinion, that's a good thing. I feel a whole lot lighter than I did four months ago with that crazy plan percolating inside my head."

"I'm sure that's true." He grinned, and then sobered. "What about our engagement?"

"I've loved it. It's been fun. Although I guess our time's up now, because today's election day. Finally." Her heart fluttered. She looked away so he wouldn't see the tears filling her eyes. "We might want to wait a little while before breaking up, though, don't you think? So your constituents won't be suspicious. I'd hate for anyone to accuse you of using me to get votes."

"That's probably a good idea," he croaked.

She turned and gaped at him. He had tears in his eyes, too.

Rick quirked his mouth. "Surprised?"

"Yeah," she whispered, tightening her hold on his hand. "I thought you
wanted
to break up. I mean, we kind of planned to--"

"No. I don't want to break up. I want... more." He grabbed her other hand, dropped to one knee, and looked up at her. "Keegan Ann Riley, will you marry me for real?"

"For real?"

"Yes. I love you, Keegan." His throat jerked as he swallowed. "I don't want to let you go. Who knows? You might become a vigilante again without me to keep tabs on you."

"Not going to happen." She grinned. "You talked me into going to the academy, remember? I'm going to use my skills to become a deputy."

"You'll be the best sketch artist ever, too."

"Thanks." She blushed.

He kissed the hand sporting her diamond ring. "So what'll it be? Will you marry me?"

"Yes," she choked out. "I'd love to marry you for real."

"Thank God." He jumped up, took her in his arms, and pressed a hot kiss to her mouth.

In the hallway, applause broke out.

"It's about time, you two," C.J. called out. "Way to go!"

Jonah whistled, and behind him, Mitch let out a shout.

"Thanks, guys," Rick said once he loosened his embrace. "Now, get back to work. I'm still your boss, remember?"

"Yes, sir." Jonah laughed. "We have a party to attend first, though. Ready to head to City Hall to watch the rest of the returns?"

"You bet." Rick tugged Keegan toward the door.

C.J. stopped them. "Did you set a date yet?"

"No," Keegan said, with a concerned glance at Rick. "Guess it'll depend on when they schedule me to start the at academy."

"Why wait?" he asked with a grin. "Let's tie the knot next week."

"Whoa, boss," Mitch said. "You in a hurry or something?"

"Yeah," Jonah broke in. He turned to Keegan. "Do you two know something we don't?"

"No," she said, startled by Rick's suggestion. Her stomach turned a flip. "I can't get ready for a wedding in a week."

"Then you set the date." He shrugged. "I just want to marry you as soon as possible."

"A Christmas wedding would be nice. That would give us six weeks. Haley can be our flower girl," she said with a smile.
Jenny would love that.

Rick nodded. "Sounds good to me."

"It's settled, then." Keegan turned to Mitch. "Do you think Tiffany would agree to be my matron of honor?"

"I'm sure she'd love to." He patted her on the back. "You can ask her tonight at the election shindig."

"Speaking of which..." C.J. checked his watch. "We should get going."

"Right." Rick dropped Keegan's hand and pulled out his keys.

She grabbed C.J.'s arm. "I'd like Abby to be a bridesmaid, too. Do you think she'll do it?"

"Of course she will," he said with a grin. "We'll keep it all in the KCSO family."

"I'd like that." Keegan's chest constricted. She loved being on the good side of the law after buying illegal weapons and flirting with murder. If she'd killed any of the men she had targeted, she might be in jail right now instead of marrying the handsome, by-the-book lawman who had threatened to arrest her himself.

Jenny would want me to be happy, and Haley needs me in her life
.
Never again will I ever attempt to take the law into my own hands. I'll only act when I'm finally wearing a badge. That way, everybody wins -- except the folks who break the law, of course.

"Ready to go shine for the cameras?" Rick asked, taking her hand again.

Keegan smiled and wiped away a tear. Her heart had never been so full. "Yes, let's go. We promised Mindy an exclusive interview. I don't want to let her down."

"You're really something, you know that?"

"So are you, Sheriff," she said with a grin. "So are you."

The End

Melanie Atkins a multi-published author of romantic suspense, a fan of crime dramas, and an avid reader. Writing is more than an escape for her -- it's a way of life. She grew up in the Deep South listening to tall tales and penning stories about her cats. Now she writes gripping stories of love, suspense, and mystery with the help of her furry little feline muses. You can read more about her and about all of her books on her blog at www.wordpress.melanieatkins.com, on her website at www.melanieatkins.com, and on her Facebook page at
http://www.face-book.com/melanie.atkins
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