Blackstone Ranger Guardian - Alicia Montgomery Page 0,44
to kidnap me.”
Krieger had been there? When she was struck down? Why did no one tell her that? Why didn’t he? Darcey wrung her hands together. “If there’s anything you need at all, please let me know.”
“I—excuse me.” A feeling from deep inside urged her to find him. Her fox hissed and protested, of course, but she ignored it.
She glanced over to where he was, now deep in conversation with Damon and another man who also wore the ranger uniform. Despite her stomach’s churning, she made her way to him. “Um, Krieger?” Even now, she couldn’t calm the pounding of her heart in her chest.
His gaze caught hers. “Dutchy.”
“Can I talk to you? In private?”
The two other men looked at each other. “Why don’t we go say hi to the boss, Anders? We’ll chat more later, Krieg,” Damon said, patting him on the shoulder. With a quick nod to Dutchy, he and the other man left.
“Everything okay?” Krieger asked, his tone concerned. “Are you tired? Does your arm hurt?”
“No, no. It’s just …” Her tongue tied up in knots, trying to find the words. “J.D. said you arranged this? Had all my friends come here to see me?”
“Yeah.”
“But why? It’s not my birthday or anything.”
“I know. But the other night, you said you were a terrible person for ignoring your friends. I told you it’s not true, so … so I thought I’d show you.”
“Show me?”
“That your friends care for you.” The timbre of his voice lowered a notch. “Don’t matter if you ignore them for months or years. Real friends pick things right up where you left them. And you don’t have to ask them for forgiveness for things that weren’t in your control. And if you do, they’ll forgive you.”
She stared at him, slack-jawed, unable to speak or do anything. How does he do it? How does he know the right thing to do or say? And why—despite her rejection yesterday—did he feel the need to do this for her?
The answer, of course, was there, but she couldn’t verbalize it. Couldn’t even think of it.
Straightening his shoulders, he finished the last of his beer. “Just stopped by to see you were okay. I should go—”
“No!” That came out more forceful that she meant it to. “I mean … you don’t have to.”
His gaze slowly dropped to her hand. She did a double take, as she didn’t even realize her arm had shot out and grabbed his forearm. Quickly, she withdrew it. “Will you stay?” Hesitation was evident on his face. “Please?”
“If you want me to.”
“I want you to.” She couldn’t stop the corners of her mouth from quirking up. “You should at least enjoy the food and drinks. Have you had a chance to meet some of my friends?”
He shook his head. “J.D. and Anna Victoria did most of the work calling them up.”
“Then you should come and meet them,” she said. “C’mon.”
They made the rounds of guests with Dutchy introducing him to everyone he didn’t know. He was polite, though he only said one or two words at the most.
Kate and Amelia, of course, looked about ready to burst the entire time, but didn’t say anything while Krieger was around. As soon as he excused himself to get her a drink, they practically cornered her.
Kate grabbed her by her good arm. “Is he—”
“Yes,” she blurted out. “But you guys already knew that,” she added wryly.
“Duh.” The she-wolf rolled her eyes.
“I’m so happy for you,” Amelia said. “I mean, I don’t know the guy, and he looks a little scary, but if he’s your mate, then I know he’ll treat you right.”
“He’s hot too,” Kate added in a low voice. “Sorry, you know my mate.” She smiled and waved at Petros, who was carrying their daughter Sophia as he was chatting with Jason Lennox and Amelia’s mate, Mason. “I swear, when I mention any guy is attractive, it’s like a dog whistle only he can hear.”
“Krieger is hot, though,” Amelia added with a grin. “But not the type I thought you’d end up with.”
“Who did you think she’d end up with? A certain silver dragon?” Kate waggled her eyebrows.
“Oh brother.” Dutchy slapped herself on the forehead. “That again? The thing with Ian is ancient history. It’s not like we’re even friends now or anything.”
“And nothing happened during the wedding reception at the palace?” Kate teased.
“Nothing.” Her lips twisted. “Not that he didn’t try.”
Kate and Amelia cackled, and Dutchy found herself laughing with them. “Stop! I swear, you have