What the Heart Needs

by Kelli McCracken

  Leaning her head against his chest, she tore her eyes from the window up to Dylan’s face. He didn’t meet her gaze, though she knew she had his attention. Instead, he gazed out the window, chewing on his lower lip.

  “We’re going to be okay, Dylan. I don’t need anyone else but you to protect me.”

  “You can’t say that, Heaven. We don’t know what lies ahead of us. Our parents said there is much more to this. Whatever happened between my dad and your dad put your life in danger. What if I can’t protect you?”

  “Don’t you see,” she spun to look at him, “you already have. A Keeper didn’t save me from dying, or from being attacked by Zeke. Not even from your father choking me. You’re the one who did those things. God created me to be with you. No one else can keep me safer.”

  “You have no clue how much it means to hear you say that, Heaven. I want to be your hero. But my wants aren’t important. Your safety is.”

  God, he was stubborn. No wonder he and Layne were such good friends. Or maybe it’s because they had the male chromosome. She didn’t know. Didn’t care. She needed him to quit doubting himself.

  Brushing his lips with her finger, she pushed up on her toes to give him a kiss. A short-lived one at that thanks to the knock on the door.

  “Come in,” Dylan yelled.

  The door swept open, allowing Delia to step inside. “Sorry to bother you, but Layne’s getting restless and we’re running short on time. You better go chat with him soon.”

  “I’ll be down in a second.”

  Heaven waited until Delia stepped out, before pulling Dylan’s face back to hers. “What is she talking about? Why are we short on time?”

  For the first time since he arrived, his lips curved upward. Planting another kiss on her lips, he broke their embrace to walk toward the closet. “Remember how you said you didn’t want to wait to get married?”

  She nodded, watching him disappear into the opening in the wall. Pounding resonated from the closet, followed by scraping and jingling. When he came back into sight, he tugged suitcases with him.

  “I told you I’d get it planned. And I did.” The suitcases met the bed before the zipper growled to life. “We’re flying out tonight. To Aruba. Your mom and dad are doing the same. I can call Hope and Scott if you want to call Chelsea.”

  She couldn’t believe he was being this casual about it. After everything they’d found out about their parents, their own history. Unless this was a part of his plan to keep her safe. Whisk her away to some foreign island, marry her, and then… Then what?

  His eyes left the suitcase, flashing up to hers. Then he stepped away from the bed. Rough fingers cupped her face as he brought it to his. “I feel your hesitation. What’s wrong? I thought you wanted this?”

  “I want to marry you, Dylan. Don’t think for a second that I don’t. This is just a lot to process at once. And I still have things to tell you.”

  “We’ll have plenty of time to talk on the plane. Of course, Layne will be there, but we’ll have some time before the wedding.”

  “Are we doing this because we want to or is this some plan you have to protect me from your father.”

  She hated seeing the hurt in his eyes. Hurt brought about by her careless words.

  He thumbed her cheek as his eyes swept over her face. “I won’t deny that a part of it is to keep you protected. But you know it’s more than that. I’ve wanted to marry you since the first moment I laid eyes on you.”

  “I know,” she said, pressing her finger to his lips. “I’m sorry I said that. It’s just a lot to digest.”

  “We have forever to figure out who and what we are to this secret world our parents hid from us. But I want to start forever now. I want you to be my wife.”

  She wanted the same. More than anything else in this world. But she couldn’t walk down the aisle before Dylan knew what happened with Layne.

  “Dylan, before we get married, I have to —”

  Another knock resonated from the door. Great.

  “That’s probably Mom again. Layne’s so impatient.” He pressed his lips to hers once more before stepping away. “Go ahead and finish packing. After I talk to Layne, we need to swing by his house to get his things then head for Santa Barbara.”

  “Why are we going there?”

  “I thought it would be better to fly out from there, so we can derail the paparazzi and anyone my dad might have watching you. Plus Mom has to pack. She’s flying out on the later flight. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  She wanted to beg him to stop, but couldn’t. He was already at the door, twisting the knob as he opened it. He disappeared down the hall a second later, leaving her in a wake of confusion.

  Dear God, she’d never get a chance to talk to him.

  CHAPTER 21

  Heaven crossed her legs at the ankle, brushing her foot against Layne’s in the process. She met his eyes for a brief moment, noting the anticipation burning brightly. He thought she’d done it on purpose, to get his attention. He looked as though he wanted to ask, the way he licked his lips, parting them to speak.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to kick you.” The words barely passed her lips when his bright-eyed gaze darkened. With a quick nod, he put a smile on his face before turning away. A forced smile no doubt. The pulse of his energy said he was anything but happy.

  Twisting in the seat, her knees collided with Dylan’s, but the way his lips curved upward warmed her heart. He was happy. Legitimately happy to be here with her, bumping knees, and elbows, and any other body part that came in contact.

  Hopefully he’d feel the same once he found out that Layne kissed her. Out of drunkenness. Dylan didn’t have many close friends. Couldn’t with his celebrity status. Losing Layne would change him.

  Despite knowing that Layne felt something for her, she couldn’t turn her back on him, either. For whatever reason, the bond that formed between them continued to increase. She couldn’t imagine him not being around. He was supposed to be around. Every fiber in her being said as much.

  The pulse in her temple had her closing her eyes. Dealing with Layne’s mess was one thing. Dealing with it in a confined space was another. She couldn’t escape the thrum of his energy. How each time she sensed his eyes on her, she swore she would combust.

  If she survived this trip, it would be a miracle. She didn’t mind riding coach. Dylan and Layne might, but they didn’t complain. They both gave up the luxury of first class to protect her. The less attention they drew, the better. But sitting between them didn’t ease her mind. Nor did being consumed by their energy.

  Strands of hair swept across her shoulder as Dylan moved in closer. The heat of his breath followed, tickling her skin until his lips brushed her neck. “Are you okay?”

  No. She just discovered her parents had abilities. That they knew Delia and Nate. Were part of the reason why Nate wanted to end her life. Add in all the other craziness like Layne, Faith, her own abilities, and it was easy to see. She’d stepped on the bus to Insaneville. But other than that, she was fine.

  “I’ll be okay, Dylan.” She caressed his arm, sliding her fingers to his before lacing them. “Don’t worry so much.”

  “Yeah right.” He leaned up in his seat, shaking the bangs from his eyes. “I’ll do that until—” His eyes moved toward the floor. “Is that your old cell in your purse?”

  Nodding, she pulled on the leather purse straps, forcing the bag up her leg, into her lap. She’d forgotten about bringing it. So much happened from the moment Dylan arrived, she didn’t get the chance to show him the texts that came in the night before.

  “There’s something you need to see.” Removing the slender phone from inside, she tapped the screen a few times, bringing up the text app. Green bubbled messages stared back at her. “These came in last night. One while we were talking. The other right after we hung up.”

  Dylan grabbed the phone, eyeing the messages she’d received. A second later his knuckles whitened around the bla
ck device. “Son-of-a-bitch.”

  “What’s wrong?” Layne chimed in, leaning closer to Heaven as he gazed at the phone.

  “I’ve been meaning to tell you about these.” Dylan passed the device in front of her, waiting for Layne to take it. “Heaven showed them to me a few days ago.”

  Layne leaned up in his seat, stroking the screen as he read each message. His hand dropped to his lap when he’d finished. “Is it your dad?”

  “We’re not sure,” she piped in before Dylan could answer. Regardless of what he thought, she didn’t know if Nate sent the texts. Or had someone else send them, just to mess with her. Mick still factored in.

  “Heaven thinks her ex is involved somehow, but I think it’s my dad. He’s screwing with her head.”

  “Fuck,” Layne mumbled, dropping his gaze to the floor.”

  She didn’t like the sound of that. Didn’t like the way his energy pulsed with remorse.

  Or the way Dylan’s quaked with curiosity as he asked, “What’s wrong?”

  Layne wouldn’t look at him. Either of them for that matter. Even when he handed the phone back, his eyes went to the front of the plane. “I’m such an idiot. I’ve made so many mistakes, I’ll never repair the damage I’ve caused.”

  Dylan’s breath beat against her neck as he moved closer, still focused on his best friend. “You’re not an idiot. You’re a raving lunatic who’s making no sense. What is your problem? If it’s something to do with Heaven, I need to know.”

  For the love of God, she hoped Layne wouldn’t announce the kiss now. Dylan would have Layne in the aisle, beating him senseless. Yet when Layne finally turned his eyes to her, something about them said he wouldn’t reveal that. What he had to announce…it would trump the kiss.

  “You’re gonna hate me,” he whispered, finally turning his attention to Dylan. “Both of you will. I’m sorry for being such an ass.”

  Dylan shifted in the seat beside her, apologizing to the person in front of him for kicking the seat. His eyes darted to Layne’s before he moved closer. “Come out with it already.”

  Resting his head against his seat, Layne stared ahead, clearing his throat before he spoke. “It’s not a secret that when you two first became a couple, I didn’t like it. I made an ass of myself the weekend at Jerry’s and continued to resist the idea.”

  She remembered that weekend well. How he’d stared at her when he and Faith found her and Dylan kissing on the deck. How his eyes burned her to the core when she and Faith came back out of the house. But whatever happened between him and Dylan in the guesthouse had set Dylan off.

  Gripping the phone in his hand, Dylan stared at the texts on the screen. “We’ve worked all of this out. You and Heaven are friends now. What does this have to do with the texts?”

  “I could be responsible for those texts.”

  As a wall of heat burned one side, a billion jolts prickled her skin on the other. So much energy burned from both men. If the two collided, it would be hell on earth. She had to speak up. “What do you mean by responsible? As in you’re the one sending them?”

  “No,” he snorted, meeting her eyes again “But I’m still at fault. After Dylan went off on his dad a few months ago, Nate stopped by my place. He wanted dirt on you, Heaven. And I gave him what I had.”

  Heaven couldn’t breathe. Between the heat suffocating her, and the jolts rippling through her body, her lungs didn’t want to cooperate. Add the fact that his admission broke her heart and she struggled for oxygen. She knew he’d hated her back then, though she never thought it would be this bad. Guess she’d been sensing Layne’s energy even then.

  “What did you tell him?” Dylan mumbled through clenched teeth.

  Layne kept avoiding Dylan’s eyes, but not hers. They roamed her face while waves of heated guilt beat at her soul. “I didn’t have much to tell him. Just what Faith told me. That you’d tried to get into an art program but didn’t. And that you had a crazy ex.”

  “That’s still not enough to cause us to hate you,” she said, knowing in her gut that he had more to tell, but feared their reaction.

  “Okay then, how about this? I’m the one who contacted the art program and paid for your scholarship. Nate footed the bill, but I made the call.”

  “Damn it.” Dylan leaned back against his seat, gripping the armrest each second he stared out the window. “I had a feeling my dad had something to do with that. He’d asked Heaven about the program the day he met her.”

  “I’m sorry, Dylan. I never should have given him any info. Regretted it the second he left the house. I know an apology doesn’t make up for what I’ve done.”

  “No, it doesn’t.” Dylan snapped, causing her to flinch. Noticing her unease, he grabbed her hand from the armrest and brought it to his lips.

  She tried to savor the moment, but Layne’s voice pulled at her soul. “I don’t expect forgiveness. Actually the opposite. I just want you to know that I’m sorry for my part in this. I’ll catch a flight back to L.A. after we arrive. Hell, I’ll go hide out in the bathroom, just so you don’t have to look at me.”

  He’d barely raised his butt off the seat when Dylan growled beside her. “Sit your ass down.” Layne hesitated, until he and Dylan looked at each other. Returning to his seat, he shifted his gaze back to the aisle. But it didn’t stop Dylan from continuing. “I’m not… I’m pissed that you did this. You know what she means to me. But I don’t hate you. I need your help, damn it. You’re the only person I can trust to help me keep her safe. I have to know you are on board, Layne. All the way.”

  “I’ve done a lot of stupid things. You shouldn’t waste your time on me, either of you. But I am on board. All the way. If you want me to be.”

  “The real question is, do you want to be?” Dylan retorted, softening the edge in his voice. Rough fingers trailed across her arm, as did his eyes. She sensed his anger. How he fought against it because the desperation pulsing through his body held more importance. “It doesn’t matter what I want, Layne. You can’t help me if you don’t want to.”

  Layne didn’t hesitate nodding, even though Dylan hadn’t looked at him. “I want to help. It’s the least I can do.” When his eyes made it back to hers, she noticed the self-loathing had returned. “I told you that I’m toxic.”

  He may have convinced himself of that, but she disagreed. He had a good heart. Wanted to do the right thing. He just needed a purpose. Needed to figure out what he wanted in life. “You’re not toxic. You’re lost. All you need to do is find your way home. To the real you, not this façade you want people to think is you. I know better.” She gazed at Dylan, pulling their hands toward her chest before turning back to Layne. “We both know better. We won’t turn our backs on you.”

  “You can only handle stupidity for so long. When he hears that I—”

  “I don’t need to hear anything else for today.” Dylan grumbled, pulling Heaven closer. “You’ve made bad choices. I know that. You always have. But you’ve never let me down. Not until now.”

  “Dylan—”

  Raising his hand, Dylan waved him to silence. “I don’t like knowing what you did for my dad. But I know how manipulative he can be. What I do need is the guy who’s had my back since we were kids. It’s who Heaven needs. Forget everything else.”

  Saying a silent prayer Heaven turned to face Layne, knitting her brows at him. If he tried to talk about the kiss before she talked to Dylan, she’d punch him. Friends or not.

  He took the signal. Pressed his head back against the seat and closed his eyes. But the burn of his energy cradled around her. He wouldn’t be at peace until Dylan knew everything.

  * * *

  The crystal blue water lapped against the beach, its crest nearly as white as the sand surrounding it. Heaven wanted to run out to it. Wanted to feel the warm water splashing against her legs, to walk in the sand with Dylan, fingers laced, leaving a trail of footprints behind them.

  Pushing back the curtain, her eyes fell to the knob, maki
ng her palm itch to twist it and get her freedom in the sun. But it wouldn’t be the same without Dylan.

  When would he get to the room? He should have let her stay with him until he checked in. She didn’t want to be in their room without him. Or with Layne, who hovered close by.

  Footsteps shuffled behind her, followed by a scuff. The silky strap of her shirt slid across her chin when she turned toward the sound. Layne pulled an ottoman from a chair, plopping down on the corner of the cushion. The churn of his energy had her heart pounding. If he continued down this destructive path, he’d lose everything. They would all lose a lot. Unless she got to Dylan first.

  “I know you want to tell him what happened,” she whispered, releasing her grip on the curtain. “I want him to know, too, Layne. But if you go off half-cocked, thinking it will absolve you from your mistakes, I swear to God, I will punch you in the mouth.”

  She hadn’t expected him to laugh. Had to fight back her own laughter so he would see this wasn’t a joke. Somehow, she pulled it off.

  “I don’t doubt that you would, Heaven. Don’t worry, though. I’ll back off. Just promise me you’ll talk to him before the wedding. I’d rather lose both of you than for you to lose each other.”

  He couldn’t look at her while saying the words. She knew how much it hurt him to say it, even though he’d honor the promise.

  “I’ll tell him, Layne. He’ll forgive you. Just like he did when you told us about helping Nate.”

  A wave of heat crashed into her as his eyes filled with pain. “I’m sorry for what I did. You do believe me, don’t you?”

  Giving him a nod, she turned back to the patio doors, doing her best not to dwell on how much the earlier revelation hurt her. “It’s in the past, Layne. Forget about it.”

  “I can’t.” The crack of his voice pierced her heart. But she refused to look back. Kept her eyes focused on the beach. “I didn’t know you when I did that. Wouldn’t allow myself the chance to know you because… It doesn’t matter why. All my reasons were wrong. Maybe one day, I can make up for it.”