Stronger Than You Know by Lori Foster

CHAPTER TEN

KENNEDYWASABOUTto ask Reyes if she could now use the light from her phone when he gave a low curse.

Glancing in the rearview mirror, he asked, “You two buckled up?”

Kennedy watched Jodi quickly hook her seat belt, then she answered, “Yes. Why?”

“Hang on.” He swerved sharply to the right.

Kennedy knocked into Jodi, with only the seat belt keeping her upright. The blinding glare of high beam headlights flashed into the back window of the truck, causing her heart to jump into her throat.

Reyes jerked the truck into the left lane and hit the brakes. Another truck went barreling past them and then immediately screeched into the middle of the road, stopping sideways.

He punched the gas and shot past them again, going half off the road and narrowly missing the front fender.

Kennedy felt like her teeth had been jarred loose. Knowing Reyes had his hands full, she kept as silent as possible so she wouldn’t distract him, her body tense from her toes to her eyebrows.

“Are...are they after me?” Jodi asked.

“Or me,” Reyes said. “Maybe Kennedy. Who the fuck knows? No worries, though, I’ve got this.”

Again Jodi gave her an incredulous look, one that asked, Is he insane?

Kennedy shrugged.

Reyes drove faster and faster, but on this stretch of road, there was no other traffic, no exits—and no one to help.

“There’s Cade,” he said.

She looked back and realized another vehicle was now behind them.

“Do me a favor, babe? Duck down.”

Confused, Kennedy asked, “Duck...?”

“Down,”he barked.

When Jodi bent forward in the seat, Kennedy copied her.

A second later, gunshots rang out, followed by the screaming of tires and finally an awful crash.

Reyes pulled to the side of the road. Before Kennedy could get her wits about her, he said, “Lock up behind me,” and then he...

He left the truck!

“Reyes!” Scrambling for the door, Kennedy opened it enough to shout, “What in the world are you doing?”

“Taking care of business.” He pushed the door shut again. “Lock it.”

With his eyes ablaze and his expression hard, Kennedy obediently hit the lock.

He gave one firm nod and turned away.

Good heavens. She’d never seen him like that. Peeking over the back seat, she watched him, utterly fascinated and scared to death for him.

In a long, purposeful stride, he approached their pursuers, staying just outside the direct beam of the other truck. It was twisted, the front end smashed against the rise of the mountain. Kennedy didn’t see any movement.

Unhooking her seat belt, Jodi twisted about on her knees and watched, too. “Is that his brother coming up the other side?”

Until Jodi said it, Kennedy hadn’t noticed Cade—strange, since he was so incredibly large. “Yes.”

“They’re unusual.”

An understatement.

Jodi nudged her. “I think they can be just as dangerous as the goons who were chasing us.”

“Most definitely.” So far, Reyes was the most lethal person she’d ever known, and, given her background, that was saying something.

Together they saw Reyes and Cade look into the truck, then around it. Reyes pried open the damaged front door and leaned inside. The headlights went out and the grinding from the engine died.

When Reyes straightened again, he and Cade shared a short conversation. Apparently the danger was over?

Not that she’d believe it—until Reyes told her so.

“You wanted to show me something?” Jodi glanced around, wary as always, squinting into shadows and searching the long, empty stretch of road. “That’s why we’re here, right?”

Shoot. After all that, Kennedy almost didn’t want to. “It’s going to upset you, but I want you to know, I’m here with you every step of the way.”

Stoic, Jodi straightened her shoulders. “What will the big guy have to say about that?”

Being honest, she said, “There’s a lot I don’t know about Reyes.”

“Yeah, well, I thought I knew him, but clearly I only skimmed the tip of the iceberg.”

Her cocky attitude didn’t fool Kennedy. Jodi was afraid, the type of bone-deep fear felt by a woman who’d once been in hell. It’d be better for her if Kennedy cut to the chase instead of letting her dread build.

Pulling her cell phone from her pocket, Kennedy adjusted the settings. Earlier, she’d silenced it and turned down the brightness, and now she adjusted it back. “A detective came to see us. He’s been hunting someone, and he thought Reyes might know something about him. Unfortunately, he didn’t—but I think I may have recognized him.”

“Him?” Expression changing, Jodi demanded, “Is it the man who had you? The one who got away?”

“No.” Somehow, she thought that man was small-time when compared to Rob Golly.

And yet, both men were almost insignificant when compared to Reyes. They were pure evil, but Reyes was bigger, braver, smarter, stronger. Also kinder, more caring, funnier.

He was all things good, which made him a perfect counterbalance to their cruelty.

She pulled up the photo on her phone. Thanks to Madison, it was a clearer, neater image than the one Crosby had carried. Glancing back at Reyes again, Kennedy saw that he stared toward her, keeping her in sight, ever vigilant, while speaking on his phone. Maybe talking to his sister? That’d make sense, given that Madison would be able to tell them a lot about this stretch of road.

Unable to put it off any longer, she took Jodi’s hand in her own, locking their fingers together, and then turned the phone so she could see it.

A low sound, like that a wounded animal would make, slipped past Jodi’s parted lips.

Heart breaking, Kennedy knew she had her answer.

“He’s dead,” Jodi rasped.

Maybe. “Shh. Let me explain, okay?” Jodi continued to stare at the photo. “The detective said he went to the house—I think the one where Golly kept you.”

Jodi shook her head. “His body—”

“There was no body.”

“I killed him,” she growled, the words barely audible.

“Honey...are you sure?”

“Yes!” She tried to snap her hand away, but Kennedy held on.

If she released Jodi, her friend would probably leap from the truck and disappear. It’s what Jodi did. She ran when threatened, and only reappeared when she thought Kennedy might need her.

Using that to her advantage, Kennedy whispered, “I need you here, Jodi. Whatever is going on, we can sort it out together.”

“You don’t need me!” She hitched her chin toward the window. “You have them, now.”

Startled, Kennedy glanced back and found Cade and Reyes watching them, equal expressions of concern on their faces.

Ignoring them for the moment, Kennedy scooted closer to Jodi and lowered her voice. “They’re men and they haven’t been through what we have. We back each other up, remember? You’re stronger than me, Jodi. I can help sort this out, but I need to be able to reach you when necessary. I need to know you’re safe.”

Settling her shoulders back against the seat, Jodi whispered, “You’re strong, too, otherwise you wouldn’t be crushing my fingers.”

“Oh, my God, I’m sorry.” Quickly she freed Jodi, and, as she’d assumed, Jodi was out of the truck in a heartbeat.

Kennedy heard Cade say, “Don’t make me chase you. It’s getting damned cold out here and cops could show up any minute.”

“Or more thugs,” Reyes added.

Kennedy slid across the seat to get out on Jodi’s side. By God, if Jodi took off, she’d chase her down herself.

Trying to be as casual as everyone else, Kennedy got close to Jodi, then asked over the truck bed, “The driver of the truck?”

“Dead,” Reyes said, already walking around to her. “We’ve made a plan.”

“My plan,” Jodi said, “is to get my car and get out of here.”

Cade casually approached around the other side, but Kennedy wasn’t fooled. There was a coiled readiness about both brothers, and she didn’t think it was on her behalf. Shoot, they both knew she wasn’t about to charge away from safety.

But Jodi? Yep, Jodi looked ready to take on the world. Alone.

“I know where your car is,” Cade said. “The plan is for me to take you to it—”

“No.”

As if Jodi hadn’t interrupted, Cade continued with, “—so I can make sure no one else is lurking around. Then I’ll follow you to a main highway. At that point, you can do as you please.”

“But Jodi?” Reyes gave her a long look. “You need some backup. If Golly is out there, he might be the one who set the fire to Kennedy’s apartment building.”

“To get to me,” she rasped, her hands clenched into fists at her sides, her expression grim.

“It’s possible. I can’t go into everything now. We’re not safe standing here, so how about you keep us informed of where you’ll be at all times?”

“I don’t know.” She pushed her hair from her face. “I’ll think about it.”

“Think while I drive you back to your car,” Cade suggested.

Kennedy was impressed that Cade sounded so reasonable, so nonthreatening when anyone could see he was a walking weapon.

Just like Reyes.

When Jodi looked at her with indecision, Kennedy stepped forward. “Please? I won’t be able to bear it if anything happens to you. You’re like family.”

“Family,” Jodi repeated, as if weighing the word.

“Sisters,” Kennedy stressed.

Jodi’s mouth quirked. “I’d be the black sheep of the family, you know. The weirdo that everyone dreaded seeing.”

“Not true.” Kennedy moved closer, saying again, “Please, Jodi.”

It took her far too long before Jodi found a flippant way to give in. “Yeah, sure. Why not? These two can’t be more dangerous than Golly, or whoever is pretending to be him.”

Oh, Kennedy hadn’t even considered that. Someone pretending to be Golly? Was it possible?

“We need to roll.” Reyes took her hand and tugged her to the front seat.

“Come on,” Cade said to Jodi, gesturing toward his SUV. “Time to end this miserable night. The problems will still be there in the morning.”

Kennedy looked over her shoulder.

Jodi walked backward to keep her in sight.

Near her ear, Reyes said, “She’ll be okay, honey. I promise.”

Wondering how he could guarantee such a thing, Kennedy nodded. “We’ll talk in the morning,” she called to Jodi.

“Sure thing.” And with that, Jodi turned and fell into step beside Cade.

MISERABLE, INCOMPETENTFUCKS. Del glared as Golly disconnected his call and carefully set the phone on the table.

“What do you mean, they were both there but got away?”

At first, laughter was the only answer.

At the end of his rope, Del snapped, “Answer me, damn it!”

“He’s better than we thought.”

We? So far, Del hadn’t been allowed much input at all. “Yeah? How’s that?”

“We thought we had a setup, but it was the other way around. Somehow, that bodyguard of hers anticipated us being there.”

“I wasn’t anywhere except in this stupid dump!”

“It’s a lovely cabin, not a dump, and you complain too much.”

Del would have killed another man for that offhand insult, but this man? No, the way he watched Del made his skin crawl. “So what happened?”

“Shots were fired. My men were pinned down. The drivers I set to ambush them should have had it in hand, but that didn’t work out, either, apparently.”

Taking a chance, Del suggested, “So maybe I should plan the next—”

“No!” Slamming his hands down on the table, Golly rose to his feet and stared hard at Del, his protruding gut nearly busting the seams of his shirt. “She won’t get away again.”

“Jodi? Yeah, that’s fine for you. But I need to stop Kennedy before she gets the cops on my ass again.”

“I’ll get them both,” he promised, relaxing again, his twisted smile back in place. “Kennedy will be my gift to you.”

Fuck that. Del didn’t want to owe this man anything. It was past time he started making his own plans—separate from the lunatic. “Yeah, sure.” Del decided it’d be easiest to just placate him. “Sounds good. Thanks.” First chance he got, probably early tomorrow morning, he’d take off on his own. Once he did, he’d never again make a bargain with the devil—especially a devil who was bat-shit crazy.

ONCETHEYWEREALONE, Reyes made haste getting them away from the area. He constantly checked the rearview mirror, regardless of how far they drove. Used to be, that would have made her nervous. Now she understood that it was just his way of using extra caution.

They were almost to his house when his cell rang. Driving one-handed, he held the phone to his ear and said, “All done? Great. Yeah, we’ll be home in five. Tell Madison thanks for me, too.” For a few seconds Reyes listened, then glanced at her and shrugged. “Sure, we can do that. All right, I’ll see you both then.”

“What?” she immediately asked.

“Cade tailed Jodi home. Jodi doesn’t know that, though, so don’t tell her. She thought he dropped back once they got to a more congested area.”

“But he didn’t?”

“No, he didn’t. He circled back and followed her to a dive motel on the outskirts of town, to make sure no one else bothered her. We’re nothing if not thorough. The motel, by the way, is near an I-70 on-ramp, not more than thirty minutes from Cade’s bar, The Tipsy Wolverine.”

Kennedy blinked at the name. The Tipsy Wolverine? “You’re making that up.”

“Nope.” For only the briefest moment, he hesitated, then seemed to give a mental shrug. “I have a gym, Cade has a bar, we hear shit at both—that’s part of how we operate.”

A nugget of info? Desperately needing a new focus, Kennedy jumped on that. “Operate?”

“Patience, doll. For now, I need to tell you something else, but I need your word you won’t say anything to Jodi.”

If she didn’t trust Reyes so much, his serious tone might really bother her. “All right.”

“Cade tagged Jodi’s car before he came after us. We’ll have GPS on her wherever she goes. Usually that’s something I’d keep to myself, but I’m telling you so you won’t worry too much. She might get spooked and run, but we’ll be able to find her.”

Her heart, her emotions, softened. “To make sure she’s safe?”

“Yeah.”

Could he be more wonderful? “Thank you.”

“You’re not pissed?”

How could he think that? “I’m incredibly grateful that you’re helping her.”

“Whether she wants my help or not?”

Yes, Jodi had given that impression. And on the surface, she might even believe that she’d rather go it alone. But deep down?

Deep down, she desperately needed help. For a multitude of reasons, Kennedy was fairly certain that Reyes would understand. “She’s so wounded,” Kennedy explained. “So suspicious of everyone, I’m not sure she’d ever ask for help no matter how badly she needed it. It’d take a lot to earn her trust.”

“You managed it.”

“Only because we share a similar background.”

He seemed pained by that reminder. “We’re going to rendezvous with Cade and Madison at my dad’s place tomorrow.”

“Your dad?” she choked.

“Don’t let him scare you, okay? No matter how much he scowls.”

“Why would he scowl at me?” Even the possibility made her irate. She’d been through hell lately. She wouldn’t let anyone, not even Reyes’s father, treat her badly.

“Dad’s just gruff, that’s all. But hey, you’ll finally get to see Chimera again, and you’ll get to meet Bernard. I think you’ll like him, mostly because he worships that cat.”

“So I’ll like Bernard but not your father?”

“Bernard, when he’s not stealing cats, is a pretty likable guy.”

Her mouth twitched. “He stole our cat?”

Reyes rolled his eyes. “That was humor. Sort of. None of us knew Bernard liked animals until I brought Chimera home and he went bonkers over her. When you meet him, you’ll know how funny this is, but he was doing the whole baby-talk thing to her. Crazy. And those kittens? It was love at first sight. He did more or less steal the cat, but it made him so happy, I didn’t really mind. I just act like I do to give Bernard a hard time, you know?”

No, she didn’t know. It seemed that irritating people, especially family, was one of Reyes’s favorite pastimes.

The whole idea of meeting his father and Bernard concerned her. It wouldn’t be for the typical reasons a guy brought a woman home to meet the rest of his family. Not in her situation. It was more likely a safety issue, since that was his number one reason for keeping her around.

Alarming for sure. She’d already accepted that her life was on the line, but for them all to be involved... Maybe it was even worse than she’d thought.

To give herself some time, Kennedy turned to stare out the window, barely noticing the passing scenery, until Reyes pulled into the garage. It had been such an eventful day. Her stomach was still uneasy and every nerve seemed to be twitching.

Her world was again a scary place, but she wasn’t facing it alone. And neither was Jodi.

That gave her more comfort than she could explain, and it was all because of Reyes.

Such a remarkable man he was.

Continually glancing at her, he turned off the truck and came around to her side, gently assisting her out of the truck as if he thought she might fall apart at any minute.

She was a little emotional, mostly with gratitude.

Everything he’d done for her made her want to hold him tight—so he’d hold her tight in return. While he and Cade, and even Jodi, had handled the threats fearlessly, she’d been a jittery mess.

They stepped into the house together, and, God, it felt good to be home. Maybe not her home, not long-term, but for now it felt more like home than anything had since her kidnapping.

“Jodi’s right, you know.” Reyes led her to the living room. “You’re stronger than you think.”

She gave a small laugh. “I was so nervous, I nearly crushed her fingers.”

“That’s not what I’m talking about.” He tipped up her chin. “That shit tonight could have rattled anyone. Another woman might have been hysterical. But you, babe, you followed instructions without arguing, you didn’t cry or fall apart and, not only that, you helped take care of Jodi.” He threaded his fingers into her hair. “She thinks she’s a badass, but that girl is shook. Being on her own would be a terrible thing, and you, with your big heart and logic, reached her when I’m not sure anyone else could have.”

“Reyes.” Giving in to her need, she put her arms tightly around him and borrowed some of his strength. Being this near to him, feeling his heat and breathing his scent, went a long way toward leveling her nerves, yet she continued to tremble.

Reyes didn’t judge her, though. Nope, he saw the best in her. And damn it, she was starting to fall in love with him because of it.

“You’re amazing,” she whispered, and then confessed, “I don’t know what I’d do without you right now.”

REYESHADNEVERhad a woman cling to him like that, not without the addition of sex, but even then, it was different. Hungry or playful.

Not appreciative.

Kennedy’s desperate hold, the tripping of her heartbeat and the feathering of her breath against his neck did something to him. Something unfamiliar. He tucked her closer, reassuring her. “You’re all right.”

“Because of you.” She burrowed into him. “I know you don’t want to hear it, but thank you.”

“Shush. It’s all right.” Without meaning to, he pressed his mouth to the tender skin of her temple.

Her face turned toward him, and suddenly they were nose to nose, sharing breath and staring into each other’s eyes.

A sexual moment for him, but he seriously doubted she viewed it the same way.

When he started to move away, she held him tighter. “I’m not upset.”

“No?” She had every right to be. Someone was after her, Jodi or both of them. If the two fucks in the truck hadn’t died, he could have questioned them. As it was, he’d removed their wallets and passed them to Cade. Hopefully, Madison would have plenty to share with him tomorrow.

“I was,” Kennedy admitted. “The gunshots—”

“Cade had that in hand, and if one of the idiots got by him, I’d have taken care of it.”

“So self-assured,” she teased.

“I’m prepared,” he said seriously. “Well trained.”

And...he cared about her.

“Yes, it’s been easy to see that you can handle yourself. But, Reyes, they tried to drive us off the road.”

“And how did that turn out?” With two dead bodies, that’s how.

She shook her head. “You amaze me. You stayed so blasted calm through all of it.”

Taking her hand, he led her to the couch. He didn’t pull her onto his lap this time, not when he was feeling so oddly territorial. Instead, he put his arm around her shoulders and drew her comfortably into his side. “Since you’ll meet Dad tomorrow, I figure I better explain a few things.”

“What things?”

“Long ago...” Hell, he sounded like the start of a Star Wars movie. “When I was thirteen, actually, my mother was taken, trafficked—and that changed Dad.”

Horrified, she bit her lips. “God, I’m so sorry.”

“He found her. Dad would have charged through hell for her, and a few times I think he did.”

Kennedy rested a hand on his chest. “Is she okay now?”

He shook his head. “A year later, she committed suicide.” He didn’t want to dwell on that memory for too long. “I know what that type of abuse does to a person. I saw it in my mom—and I saw it in my dad. It changed him. He and Mom both came from money, then they made more of their own. Not bragging about finances or anything, just saying Dad had the funds and the motivation to turn his focus almost solely to taking down traffickers.” He rested his chin against her silky hair, breathing in the scent of her while forcing all emotion from his tone. “That focus included grooming us—Cade, me and Madison—into weapons. We started learning every fighting technique there is, usually from the best trainers in the world. Hand-to-hand combat, grappling, boxing, mixed martial arts. We’re versed in it all.”

“Madison, too?”

“Yep. Though Dad groomed her for computer work, he wanted each of us to have a well-rounded education.”

“Was there room for affection?” she asked softly.

“I guess. It was a difficult time, you know? Cade rebelled.” Smiling, Reyes said, “He doesn’t do well with orders, which is funny, since he joined the military to escape Dad’s regimen. There, he excelled. With Dad? They’re so much alike, they always butted heads.”

“And now?”

“Sterling changed things. I think she blunted a bunch of Cade’s anger and resistance.”

“It sounds like you like her, but I got the impression you two don’t get along.”

“She’s my sister-in-law and I love her, but yeah, I enjoy twitting her.”

“You,” Kennedy said, poking him in the stomach, “enjoy twitting everyone.”

“Maybe.” This whole discussion was easier than he’d expected, because Kennedy was so easy to be around. “Cade trained, the same as we all did. His pride demanded he be the best.”

“How old was he?”

“Fifteen.” Now that he’d started talking, Reyes wanted to share other things, too, things he’d never discussed with anyone, not even his siblings. “Cade is a half brother. Maybe that has something to do with how he’s always been.”

“Different mothers?”

“Yeah. When he was born, his mom gave him to Dad and moved on, and that was that. He’s never met her. But to Madison and me, he’s our big brother and nothing will ever change that.”

“Of course. You were all raised together?”

He nodded. “My mom was basically his mom, too, until we lost her. We were all devastated, you know? And then Dad made his decision and we didn’t really have time to grieve. On top of learning to fight, we’re experts with weapons, from every improvised implement you’d find on the street to military grade.”

“And that tricky driving you did?”

“Dad’s covered every scenario,” he confirmed. “Before you start thinking he’s too mercenary, he also started a task force to help ensure victims are legally represented, that they get any counseling they need, and enough financial aid to start over.”

“Wow. Your dad sounds pretty phenomenal.”

“He is.” He could also be overbearing, dictatorial and downright cold at times. Except that... Sterling had changed him some, too. Maybe it was getting Cade back as his son that made the difference. Reyes admitted, “I used to be a real hell-raiser.”

“No?”she said with facetious surprise.

Reyes gave her a squeeze. “Dad didn’t seem to care as long as I channeled my anger and energy into what he considered the right direction, which basically meant defending someone. But Cade? That dude is military through and through, and he’s all about personal control. He put the stomp on my bad attitude real quick.”

Rearing up, Kennedy frowned at him. “What does that mean?”

Her automatic defense made him grin. “It means anytime I got too froggy, Cade showed me that his quiet control trumped my rage every time. He always made it into a lesson. Like he’d block one of my punches, give me a smack, and explain why he’d managed it so easily.”

Her scowl darkened. “I don’t think I like the idea of him putting hands on you.”

“Ah, hon, Cade and I have been sparring since we were early teens. This was no different. And I did learn. Funny thing, too, was that Dad would watch on with a satisfied smile, as if it made him proud to see Cade school me.” He shook his head with a short laugh. “It’s the truth, I’m a better man because of Cade. Better fighter, better strategist, probably a better son and brother.”

“Did he teach you to shoot, too?”

“Actually, that’s the one place where I’m better than him. I’m a top-notch marksman. Cade is good, better than many, but I have the edge there.”

“Your family sounds absolutely fascinating.”

He enjoyed this more than was wise. Having Kennedy curled up against him, her hand idly resting over his abs, her frowns and her smiles, her trust, felt like an amazing gift.

“What about your family?”

She ducked her face again. “There’s just my mom and dad. They’re both terrific.”

“You haven’t told them everything that’s going on now?”

“They’d just worry.” Her fingertips toyed with the buttons of his flannel shirt, stopping near his navel—and making him nuts. “They’re quiet people, very involved in their church, and they were hurt so badly when I was taken.”

Eyes narrowing, Reyes lifted her face. “Don’t tell me they blamed you.”

“No, of course not. Mom and Dad both cried for days when I returned. They’d aged so much, all from grief.” She lowered her eyes. “They love me and I love them, but I couldn’t stay in Florida. Not anymore. It was hard for them to grasp that type of evil. Mom would look at me and then suddenly crumble again. It was heartbreaking, for both of us. Dad couldn’t bear seeing my mother so upset, and he felt like he’d somehow failed me.”

“So you moved on?”

“Not the way you’re saying it. I stayed long enough to convince them I was fine, then I moved away with a lot of happy fanfare, letting them think I was on an adventure for life.” She sighed. “We talk often, and I try to get home at least once a year to see them, but I will never again deliberately worry them.”

“Hey.” He couldn’t stop himself from pressing a kiss in between her brows, where a fretful frown lingered. “You were a victim, and parents are supposed to worry for their kids. That’s not on you. It’s on the bastards who took you.”

Her gaze relaxed...then dipped down to his mouth. Yeah, much more of that and instincts would take over. He’d be kissing her hot and hungry before he had time to talk himself down.

He sat forward and, in a voice as casual as he could make it, he said, “It’s getting late.” He stood and pulled her to her feet. “I can be ready for bed in twenty minutes. How about you?”

She searched his face, her expression confused, a little embarrassed, but she managed a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I need thirty minutes, so don’t rush.”

Reyes watched her head to the guest room, and he knew—oh, yeah, he knew—it was going to be a very long night sleeping beside her.