What the Heart Takes

Prologue Fire spread through Layne’s hand as he hit it against the wall behind him. The longer he stared at the bedroom door, the more he wanted to tear it down. It was the only thing standing between him and Heaven, the only thing preventing him from making sure she was okay. Every inch of him pulsed with a driving need to be near her—a need he couldn’t satisfy. The door wasn’t the only thing keeping them apart. Not if he counted Dylan, and he had to, considering his friend had barely let him speak to Heaven since his arrival. He’d done as Dylan asked—he’d waited three days before joining them in Montego Bay. It wasn’t the easiest task to accomplish. Neither was remaining at a respectful distance for a week, but he promised his friend he would, and had successfully done so for three days. At least until thirty minutes ago, when he watched Heaven run from the beach to the cottage. Then the pull overpowered him. Though he knew his duties as a Keeper, it didn’t make understanding them any easier. There was a constant pull that ate him alive. He couldn’t have remained in L.A. any longer than three days, and while he appreciated at least being able to see Heaven, keeping his distance grew tougher. Now he had to wait for Dylan to deliver him news on what was wrong with Heaven. With all the hostility Dylan had shown him, Layne doubted he’d get the truth. Dylan would never let him protect Heaven. Not at the level she needed to be protected, the level her father expected Layne to provide. The road to regaining Dylan’s trust wouldn’t be easy, but Dylan promised to try. Yet somewhere between L.A. and Jamaica, he’d changed his mind. A nearby vase captured Layne’s attention, drawing his gaze into the sitting room. He stared at it, unable to escape the question in his mind. Had Dylan finally picked up on his feelings? Had he figured out that Layne had lied through his teeth? Layne did a damn good job of hiding the way he ached to be near Heaven. He’d even denied that ache when Dylan had asked if Layne was in love with her. He hated lying to Dylan, but the truth would have cost him their friendship. Besides, Delia said his feelings would change. He’d get used to his bond with Heaven. Find the balance. Settle into his role as Heaven’s Keeper. But would he ever care for her any less? Yeah…care for her. That’s what it was. That’s all it could be, because admitting anything else would destroy everything he loved. The door hinge groaned a second later. A tiny speck of hope flitted its way across his heart at the thought of seeing those bright, beautiful eyes that calmed his soul. Then the door swept open, revealing nothing more than Dylan. He trailed his suspicious eyes over Layne before shifting toward the sitting room. Any second Dylan would walk past him, withholding the explanation Layne needed. He had to remind himself not to demand answers from his friend. The less Dylan questioned his loyalty to their friendship, the more time Layne would get with Heaven. Still, he needed something to silence the questions in his mind. “Is she okay?” Dylan glared at him as he closed the door. Three steps brought them within a foot of each other. “She’s fine. Don’t worry. You can head back to the beach. The sooner you learn the area, the better.” Layne bit the inside of his cheek, fighting back a burst of irritation. So they were going to play this game? Like hell. “I want to talk to her.” Dylan shook his head. “Maybe later. She’s resting.” Did Dylan plan to hide her in their room for the rest of the evening? There was no point in doing that. Unless… “Are you hiding something from me, Dylan?” “I said she’s fine.” Dylan’s dark eyes pinned Layne to the wall, but he wasn’t about to leave without answers, no matter how many death stares Dylan gave him. “Come on, dude,” Layne said. “You’re lying. I’m her Keeper. I have a right to know.” Dylan leaned in closer and gritted his teeth. “You have no rights to Heaven. And you’re not the only one who can protect her. You’re the backup plan.” “I’m the only plan we have, which isn’t that great since we don’t technically have a plan.” Not even a joke wiped the anger from Dylan’s face. Damn. Getting back in his good graces would be harder than Layne thought. He pressed his back to the wall, gauging his words before he spoke them. “I thought we were working through this, for Heaven. Even your mom said I’m supposed to be in her life.” Dylan slammed his fist into the wall beside Layne’s head. The c***k of knuckles resonated in Layne’s ears just a moment before Dylan’s voice. “You’re walking a thin line, Layne. Back off.” Layne guessed he hadn’t chosen the right words, or maybe he had. Perhaps Dylan would never recover from the kiss Layne and Heaven had shared. “Would you quit reading into everything I say?” Layne said. “I told you, I’m sorry. What else can I do?” “Are you sure you want the answer? Because you going to hell is my first suggestion.” Too late for that. Layne was already in hell. Every second Dylan kept him from seeing Heaven increased the torment. “I don’t want to fight with you,” Layne said. “I just want to check on her. If it makes you feel any better, I’ll stay by the door. Please. Let me see her.” “No.” Dylan growled the words before wincing. He took a step back as he slumped his shoulders. “Look, I know you’re worried about her, but I promise she is fine.” “You also promised that we’d work through everything that happened so we could keep her safe. Your promises are hollow, Dylan.” “I am trying, Layne. Believe me.” His eyes shifted to the spot where his fist had landed. “The dent in the drywall is proof of how much I’m trying.” “Gee, I feel so much better.” Once he stepped away from the wall, Layne sidestepped Dylan, moving toward the nearby window. He sucked in a deep breath as he gripped the sill. Bright orange flowers grew near the cottage. Their fruity scent made its way to his nose, helping to soothe his nerves. The urge to punch his friend decreased each time he inhaled. The constant tension between him and Dylan wouldn’t help Heaven. But would Dylan ever feel the same? Steps sounded from behind as Dylan joined him. They stood in awkward silence for what seemed like a lifetime. Then Dylan released a sigh. “We’ve been through a lot, but I just don’t know if it’s enough to help me forgive you. Regardless of how drunk you claim you were, the urge to kiss Heaven stemmed from somewhere.” “I already explained this to you. If Faith and I hadn’t argued, I wouldn’t have reacted the way I did.” Dylan’s eyes locked onto him. He leaned in closer, forcing Layne to take a step away from the window. “You’re lying to me. My gut keeps telling me that you're full of shit.” “Dylan—” “Shut up, Layne.” Dylan shoved his finger into Layne’s chest, knocking him back to the wall. “You screwed up. Big time. Why should I give you any time with my wife? You’re not above punishment.” “Seriously?” He shoved Dylan away before righting himself. Then he advanced on his friend, arms spread wide. “Do you think I want this? I gave up my life to protect your wife. I may lose my life in order to keep that promise.” His finger landed in the center of Dylan’s chest. “You have her. I have nothing. I never will. Isn’t that punishment enough?” Once Dylan knocked his hand away, he turned to face the window. A snort filled the air a second later. Then he met Layne’s eyes. “Maybe it is if you’re in love with her.” “I’m not in love with anyone. Yes, I care about Heaven, about her safety. It’s my job. I have to figure out how to keep her safe, which will require your cooperation.” “It’s good to know that you’ve been thinking about this because the stakes are a little higher than we first thought.” Fear coiled in Layne’s gut. He knew Dylan was hiding something. He had been since the wedding because his attitude changed after the reception. “What do you mean the stakes are higher?” Dylan touched the vase near the sitting room entrance before shooting Layne one last glance. “You’re not just protecting one life anymore. You’re protecting two. Heaven’s pregnant.” A surge of fire coursed through Layne, then the curtains burst into flames.