Stronger Than You Know by Lori Foster
CHAPTER TWELVE
“WE’LLBEEATINGon the deck,” Sterling said, “but no one is out there yet so we’ll have a minute to chat.”
Going through tall French doors, Sterling led her to a covered deck unlike any she’d ever seen. It seemed to go on forever and gave incredible views of snow-topped mountains, rocky terrain and a calm, beautiful lake.
“Wow.” She could sit out here for hours, Kennedy thought. Tension seemed to seep away.
“Pretty, right?” Sterling indicated a table and chairs already set with china and a tablecloth. “It’s getting chillier every day, so we won’t get to sit out here too much longer. Figured we should take advantage of the sunny morning.”
“You made the decision?”
Sterling laughed. “Bernard likes me, so he always gives me a choice.” She leaned in a little closer. “I brag on his skills in the kitchen. Works wonders on softening him up.”
That made Kennedy smile. “You like it here?” Because she felt really small, and almost...insignificant.
Turning to lean on the railing, Sterling said, “It’s a little overwhelming, I know.”
“Very.” Moving to the railing, too, Kennedy stared out at the scenery and concentrated on conquering her nervousness.
“So...” Sterling nudged her. “You and Reyes did the nasty, huh? And judging by the way you two were ogling each other, I’d say you even liked it.”
Was she really that transparent? Did she want to confide in Sterling? She glanced up—because seriously, Sterling was a tall one—and saw her friendly but knowing smile.
She liked Sterling. The woman was like an open book, tossing out her thoughts without censoring, so that you didn’t have to guess what she really thought about things. It appeared Sterling liked her, and she could use another friend, so... With a mental shrug, Kennedy said, “Yes, and yes.”
“Awesome.” Again Sterling offered a high five, and unlike Reyes, Kennedy accepted, reaching up to smack her palm to Sterling’s.
“Before everyone joins us, I’ll give you a fast rundown on the family, beyond what you already know, I mean. That way, you’ll be better prepared.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
“First, Parrish tries to be snooty, but he’s not so bad. Just stare him down. He respects that.”
Kennedy could easily imagine Sterling employing that tactic. Her? Not so much. “Reyes told me a few things about him.”
Snorting, Sterling said, “The brothers are a little biased when it comes to their dad. He’s heavy-handed, and they’re not the type of guys to take kindly to that. Cade was more open in his rebellion, to the point he skipped out and joined the military. Reyes hung around and just became an annoying ass.”
The insult pricked Kennedy’s temper. “He’s not.”
“Not to you, maybe.”
Okay, yeah, she’d witnessed herself how Reyes baited not only Sterling, but Cade also. “Well, from what I’ve seen, you bring some of that on yourself.”
“Oh, for sure.” Sterling grinned. “Part of the fun of being in this family is getting Reyes riled.”
Unable to resist, Kennedy conceded with a smile.
“Now, Bernard, well, he’s the sweetest, but he’s also a tad pompous. He takes the whole butler-slash-assistant-slash-chef thing way too seriously, complete with his nose in the air and pretentious manners. Only time I’ve seen him rattled was when he and Reyes were battling over the cat.” Sterling chuckled. “Reyes never had a chance. Bernard was so cute, cuddling the mama cat, loving on her kittens. It was something to see.”
The more Kennedy learned of Bernard, the more she understood why Reyes had let him have his way. “We were actually supposed to share responsibility for the cat.”
“Yeah, well, that’s one instance where I can’t blame Reyes. When you get to know Bernard—heck, when you see him with Chimera—you’ll know what I mean. Now, the kittens, they got divvied up. One for me, one for Madison, and one for Reyes.”
“There’s no kitten at Reyes’s house.”
“I know.” She smirked. “Bernard is holding out on him, claiming Chimera will be lonely if she doesn’t have at least one playmate. With how busy Reyes is, he hasn’t pushed it.”
Probably a sound arrangement. Kennedy was honest enough with herself to admit she couldn’t care for a cat now anyway. She didn’t even have a home.
The despondent sigh escaped her before she could stop it.
Sterling bumped her again. “I know stuff is rough right now, but Madison’s unearthed some phenomenal info. Things are moving along.” She slanted a look at Kennedy. “You’re not in a hurry to leave Reyes anyway, are you?”
In a hurry, no. Still, he had a right to the life of his choosing. “I’ve imposed on him for so long already.” If they could get the danger sorted, then she could regain her independence and if, at that point, Reyes was interested, he could let her know without the sense of obligation guiding him.
“Eh, these guys love playing the big macho protectors. Reyes is probably getting off on it.”
“Ahem.”
Going rigid, Sterling winced.
Kennedy looked back to see Cade grinning, Reyes frowning, Bernard utterly unperturbed, and a very handsome older man rolling his eyes.
Parrish, she assumed.
Regaining her aplomb, Sterling turned and said, “Deny it, Reyes. I dare you.”
“And ruin your fantasies about me?” Far too intently, he approached Kennedy. “Hungry? Bernard says he’s outdone himself.”
“I said no such thing,” Bernard replied as he took steaming dishes from a rolling cart and set them on the large round table. “It goes without saying that I always do my best. Today is no different.”
Parrish caught her gaze and somehow held her captive. She couldn’t blink, couldn’t look away...
Sterling came to her rescue. “Dude, stop trying to intimidate her. She’s been through enough.”
At that, Parrish glanced at Sterling. “Already defending her? Why am I not surprised?”
“Because you know I’m awesome like that?” She winked and dropped into a chair.
Cade touched Sterling’s hair as if endlessly enthralled by her, then he took the seat beside her.
Reyes pulled out a chair for Kennedy, and once she sat, he started to do the same, but Parrish beat him to it. Somehow he got around the table without her noticing, then he crowded in, boldly claiming the chair beside Kennedy. She now had Sterling on her right, and Parrish on her left.
Narrowing his eyes, Reyes grumbled but moved on, choosing to sit directly across from her.
“Where’s Madison?” Kennedy asked, trying to act unaffected by the musical chairs.
“My daughter gets lost in her research.”
With the food now on the table, Bernard said, “I’ll let her know breakfast is served.”
Once he’d gone inside, Reyes chuckled. “Boy, he’s really turning it on today, isn’t he?”
Cade said, “He’s out to impress.” Shooting his father a look, he added, “Unlike some people.”
“I don’t need to impress,” Parrish stated. Turning slightly in his chair, he held out his hand to Kennedy. “Since my son doesn’t see fit to introduce us, I suppose I’ll handle it myself. Parrish McKenzie. And you’re Kennedy Brooks.”
Like she didn’t know who she was? “That’s right.” She accepted his handshake, not at all surprised that his hand was as big as Reyes’s. She got the impression that this older McKenzie was every bit as capable as his sons, just a little more seasoned. “You and Cade share a similar look.”
“It’s true.” With a final, gentle squeeze, he released her hand and slid his napkin from a bronze napkin ring. “Madison and Reyes have their mother’s coloring.”
“But still your height,” Kennedy noted. “Or was she tall as well?”
“She was...” Parrish hesitated as he looked inward. A smile touched his mouth. “Average height, I suppose, but she often appeared taller because she had such presence.”
“Then I suppose they inherited that from her as well.”
He gave her an odd look.
It occurred to Kennedy that she’d just made it sound like the senior McKenzie didn’t have that same presence. Trying to recover, she tacked on, “And from you as well, of course.”
“You’re quick-witted, Ms. Brooks.”
“Kennedy,” she insisted.
“Do I make you nervous?”
“Yes?”
“You aren’t certain?”
“I’m still taking your measure,” she admitted. “I can’t decide if it’s being here, your attempts to intimidate, or the fact that Sterling hinted there’d be news today that has me a little on edge.”
“Probably all of the above,” Sterling said. “Just remember that I told you Parrish was harmless.”
At that, Parrish made a rude sound. “You’re the only one who thinks so.”
Leaning forward to see around Kennedy, Sterling said, “Give it up already, or I’ll have to switch seats with Kennedy and your son won’t like that. Then he’ll be butting heads with you again, and we’ll never be able to enjoy Bernard’s wonderful meal.”
“It’s fine,” Kennedy said, shooting a desperate look at Reyes.
He shrugged, then lifted a lid off a covered plate. “You have a few choices here, Kennedy. Apple pancakes for starters, either with maple bacon or sausage links—”
“Or both,” Sterling said, taking up the platter of meats to serve herself.
“—fresh fruit, a couple types of eggs, croissants—”
As he spoke, Reyes uncovered the feast, setting the lids on the cart behind him. Kennedy could barely take it all in. The amount of food presented was extravagant and, in her mind, wasteful.
When Reyes wrapped it up, he glanced at her and smiled. “I guess Sterling has the right idea. I’ll get you some of everything.”
“Small portions,” she said quickly, watching as he loaded her plate. Her stomach was currently jumpy enough that she didn’t want to chance things by overeating.
Parrish stood to fill her glass with orange juice, and then her coffee cup with a rich, steaming brew. “Cream and sugar?” he asked.
“Please.”
Reyes passed her plate to her, now heaping with treats. She breathed deeply of all the combined scents, and decided she was hungry after all. “Oh, this is nirvana.” Just as she forked up a bite, Madison came hustling through the doors. “Sorry I’m late, but I just made the most astounding discovery.”
“Does it have anything to do with a certain cop?” Reyes asked. “’Cause I have it on good authority you were flirting with him.”
Madison shot a glance at Kennedy. “Maybe a little.” To her brother, she said, “So what? Detective Albertson fascinates me.”
That earned a severe frown from Parrish. “It goes without saying that you shouldn’t—”
“Yes, I know your preferences, Dad.” Pushing her plate away, she opened the laptop and turned it toward Kennedy.
The bite in her mouth turned to sawdust. Kennedy tried to swallow and couldn’t. She gulped down coffee, burning her mouth in the process, and then just stared.
She hadn’t been prepared. Hadn’t even suspected what Madison would show her.
There, enlarged on the screen, was the very man who’d fled the wrecked car on the day she’d finally been rescued.
Memories flooded back in on her, chilling her to the bone, then flushing her with heat. Only a photo, she reminded herself. He’s not here. He can’t touch you.
Reyes wouldn’t let him.
She couldn’t look away from his hated face. In a voice that didn’t sound like her own, she whispered, “That’s him.”
A second later, Reyes snapped the laptop shut and circled around the table to put his hands on her shoulders. “Jesus, Madison. A little warning would have been nice.”
Disconcerted, Madison rushed out an apology. “I’m so sorry. I was just excited with my find.”
Kennedy managed a nod. “It’s okay.” It really was. She wanted to be kept informed. She just... The casual way they dealt with everything surprised her. “I appreciate all the trouble you’re going to for me.”
Sterling squeezed Kennedy’s hand, and it felt like she understood. Really understood.
Possibly because she’d been through the same thing.
“I knew you were on his trail,” Sterling said, “and that you’d narrowed down his location. But now you’ve found him?”
“I believe so.” Madison nearly buzzed in her seat. “I’m sorry to throw more at you, Kennedy.”
“I needed to know.” With Reyes at her back, she felt better equipped to deal with the shock. “It’s just... I had hoped he was dead.”
“For sure, that’d be better,” Sterling agreed.
“Eventually,” Parrish said with quiet assurance.
Once she recovered from Parrish’s comment—had he just promised her that her abductor would die?—she reclaimed her backbone. Everyone was watching her. Somehow, in the midst of this amazing meal, she’d hogged all the attention...by being pathetic.
“Where is he?” she asked Madison, trying for a note of interest instead of dread.
Now that she’d dropped her bombshell, Madison began filling her plate. “He’s in Cedarville.”
“Hmm,” Sterling mused. “Close enough for us to come up with a plan.”
“Probably chose that location for being near where I-70 and I-25 interconnect,” Cade said.
“Giving him plenty of escape routes,” Reyes added.
They were all so knowledgeable about human trafficking that Kennedy felt like a dunce. She’d suffered it, she’d learned what she could, but she didn’t have their ease in discussing it, their quick assessment of the current situation.
“Given that he’s not that far from Jodi, I’ll set up surveillance around that entire area,” Madison said. “I’ll also get into any computers he has, see if I can find an agenda or financials or anything helpful.”
“How?” Kennedy asked, both fascinated and boggled.
Madison lifted her brows. “How will I set up surveillance, you mean?” With a shrug, she said, “I’m good. I think I told you that already. I’ll access any cameras in the area to see who’s coming and going. They’re staying at a Roadway Motel, in one of the separate cabins. Cheesy little dump, but surely they have some sort of security cameras, usually at the front and back doors, and sometimes in the lobby. Once I see what vehicle he’s using, one of the boys can tag it for me. Then I’ll be able to see them whenever they’re on the road.”
“GPS,” Kennedy said, remembering that they’d done the same with Jodi’s car.
“Exactly.”
Bernard reappeared in the doorway, his critical gaze taking in her still-full plate. “Ms. Brooks, you aren’t enjoying your breakfast?”
It felt very much as if she’d just been chastised. “I’m sorry. Madison was discussing business and I got distracted.”
“Madison is always discussing business, and if you don’t wish to go hungry you need to learn to eat while she does so.”
Damn, now even the butler was giving her a hard time. She scowled.
Unfazed by that, Bernard added, “Once you’ve finished eating, I’d be happy to let you visit with Chimera and her adorable kittens.”
As far as incentives went, that was a good one.
“Thank you, Bernard. I’ll get busy eating right now.”
He tipped his head in a nod of acceptance and went back inside again.
Kennedy glanced at Sterling. “He doesn’t eat with the others?”
“Sometimes. It all depends on Bernard’s mood.” She gave a crooked grin. “They treat him like family, even when he really ramps up the airs, as he’s doing for your sake.”
He wanted to impress her? Kennedy couldn’t think of the last time that had happened. Then again, it was better than being rudely scrutinized by Parrish.
The conversation turned casual while everyone paid homage to the magnificent breakfast. When she’d finished, Bernard appeared again with fresh coffee. He refilled everyone’s cups, removed the empty dishes to the cart and again excused himself.
Kennedy had just sat back in her chair, the fragrant coffee held between her hands, when Madison again opened her laptop.
“Now that Bernard is appeased, I have one more detail to share.”
“Course you do,” Reyes said, already frowning. “Think you can use a little more tact this time?”
“Not really, because it’s a bombshell.” She turned to Kennedy. “Prepare yourself.”
Good Lord, what now?
With a huff, Reyes came around to her seat. Standing beside her, he said, “Let’s hear it.”
“Delbert O’Neil isn’t alone at the motel.”
Kennedy did her best not to react to that, but dread poured through her. “That’s the name of the man who escaped the car that day?”
“None other.”
Sterling sat forward. “I heard you say ‘they were at the motel’ earlier, but I assumed you meant him and a cohort. Don’t tell me he has women in that room.” Before Madison could reply, Sterling pushed back her chair. “Damn it, Madison, why didn’t you say so right off?”
Cade stopped her with a hand lightly clasping her shoulder.
“Not women.” Cade watched his sister carefully. “Not for a second would Madison let that slide.”
Madison gently confirmed to Sterling, “No, I wouldn’t.”
“Damn.” Sterling dropped back in her seat. “Sorry.”
“No apology necessary, I promise.” To the table at large, she explained, “Delbert isn’t alone...because he has Rob Golly with him.”
Kennedy’s jaw loosened. Her brain scrambled to make sense of that. Jodi’s abductor and her abductorhad teamed up together? She reached back for Reyes’s hand and immediately felt his fingers close around hers. “How is that possible?”
“It seems obvious to me,” Parrish said, his expression a mask of cold rage, his tone softly lethal. “One of them knows that you and Jodi are friends, and he’s looking for assistance to—”
“Don’t say it,” Sterling whispered.
But Kennedy already knew. Those evil men wanted revenge, against her, against Jodi. They wanted it enough that they were collaborating. Though her throat felt tight, her voice sounded strong when she said, “I understand.” She stared back at Reyes. This was his expertise, after all. “What should I do now?”
Reyes gently tugged her from her seat and into his arms, where he held her close. “Easy enough.” He stroked a hand up and down her spine. “You let us deal with it.”
“Deal with it how?”
He shrugged. “Like Dad said, we kill them both.”
FINALLY, HE’DGOTTENAWAY. Del wiped his brow, wondering when, or if, he’d be the next target. Psychopaths didn’t take kindly to having their plans disrupted.
The second Golly had left the cabin to get coffee from the diner next door, Del had pulled on his pants, grabbed a few of his belongings and dodged out to the parking lot where he got behind the wheel of his junker car.
After weeks in that deranged fucker’s company, Del could practically taste the freedom. Cigarette butt clenched in his teeth, he inserted the key and turned it. Thankfully, the car started.
He realized his hands were shaking and his heart beat double time. Was this how the women felt when they were captured? Oddly enough, that realization excited him.
Usually he feared no one. When threatened, he reacted with deadly force. But the dude who’d been sharing the shack with him had too many people on his payroll, too many contacts who would know to look at Del first. He was part of a bigger machine, and if he crossed Golly...? Del knew he’d rather have cops after him than that vicious bastard.
At least the cops wouldn’t torture him as payback, then dump his broken body off a cliff.
What Del wanted now was to grab Kennedy, maybe enjoy her for a day, then he’d shut her up for good—and get as far from Colorado as he could manage.
First things first, he’d call on Jodi. One way or another, she’d tell him what he needed to know about Kennedy, and then all his plans would fall into place.
AFTER REYESANDKennedy left the deck for a stroll down to the lake, Cade glanced at his father. “What do you think?”
The senior McKenzie flattened his mouth. “Reyes isn’t you. This could be nothing. Passing interest, maybe.”
Sterling snorted. “Come on, Parrish. You’re too sharp to believe that BS.” She sipped her coffee. “I think he’s in love and just hasn’t realized it yet.”
“Love?” Parrish dismissed that with a scowl. “That’s a massive leap from mere interest.”
Over the cup, Sterling narrowed her eyes at Parrish. “See, I expected you to have learned from past mistakes.”
“Meaning what, exactly?”
Cade loved watching his wife put his stodgy, overbearing father in his place. She managed it in her frank, no-nonsense way, and even Parrish wasn’t immune.
“Play nice, already,” Sterling suggested. “Quit trying to alienate her, because you might just alienate Reyes, too. If she’s going to be around, and I’m betting she will, what purpose does it serve to piss her off?”
Parrish gave Sterling a deadpan look. “Did I piss you off, Sterling, when we first met?”
“You and Reyes both,” she confirmed, then she smiled back at Cade. “Good thing he was worth it, or I’d have disappeared that first day.”
God, Cade loved her. From the start, Sterling, or Star as he called her, had proved to be the strongest woman he knew—with the biggest heart. She was unique, outspoken, capable, bold, and every so often, only with him, she also showed her vulnerability.
In every way, she was it for him.
Initially Cade had avoided commitment, thinking what he and his family did would be difficult for an outsider to digest.
Star had surprised him. She’d not only accepted it, she’d been excited to take part.
The woman who’d wanted to face the world alone, on her own terms, had seamlessly joined his family.
He glanced at his sister. “No talking to Detective Albertson.”
She didn’t bother to look up when she replied, “I’ll speak to whomever I want. You’re my brother, not my boss.”
Cade switched his gaze to his father, waiting for his reaction.
“Madison,” his father said silkily. “I expect you to keep your head.”
“As opposed to how my brothers behave?” She shot Cade a tight smile and then held up a hand to forestall any protests from the men. “Your sexism has already been exposed, so spare me.”
Sterling gave a small clap of approval.
“Has it occurred to either of you that Crosby might have information we don’t?”
“We are not going to involve the law in this,” Parrish stated.
Madison ignored that to say, “You raised me to balance what I give with what I take. Reyes and Cade aren’t the only ones who can ferret out details by talking to others.”
Cade sat back with a sigh. “You’re literally looking for reasons to see him again.”
“It’s a shame that I must justify those reasons, while you and Reyes just go about doing as you please.”
Grinning, Star elbowed Cade and murmured, “She’s got you there.”
Folding her hands on the table, Madison smiled at each of them. “Let me put it this way. I am in charge of research, and I expect the freedom to work in whatever way I see fit. I also expect the same level of trust given to my brothers.” Her chin lifted. “Now, is there anything else you want to say on the subject?”
Star snickered.
Cade rolled his eyes.
After sipping his coffee, Parrish cleared his throat. And, wonder of wonders, he moved past the topic of Crosby Albertson to ask, “Have you found anything on Kennedy that we need to know about?”
“Anything that would make her unsuitable for Reyes?” Madison shook her head. “No. She has a full life that doesn’t include fighting traffickers so, unlike Sterling, I can’t see her teaming up with us.”
“The way Reyes hovers over her,” Parrish said, “I doubt he’d allow it anyway.”
That earned a glare from Star. “Allow it? Get out of the Stone Age, will you? Kennedy is her own person and she can do whatever she wants. She doesn’t need Reyes’s permission, or your approval.”
“Christ,” Parrish muttered, “they’ve joined forces.”
Cade sat back and crossed his arms. Overall, he agreed with his wife—but it was fact, not opinion, that Kennedy wasn’t cut out for their line of work.
“As I was saying,” Parrish continued, “Reyes isn’t Cade. I can’t see him accepting someone with your...” He paused at Star’s dark look. “That is, he doesn’t have the same constitution to work beside a woman he loves.”
“Good save,” Cade said with a grin. “Actually, I agree. Good thing Kennedy doesn’t appear to want to join the business. Which brings me back to my question. What do you think? And don’t try to sell me on that passing interest line, either. Just the fact that he moved her in—”
“And brought her here,” Madison added while scrolling on her laptop.
“—says she’s completely different to him.”
“That might be true, but it becomes more and more difficult to keep our secrets contained when my children insist on bringing outsiders into things.”
Madison laughed. “You already knew they weren’t choirboys, Dad.”
“And you?” Star challenged. “You’ve as much as admitted that you’re going to coordinate with Crosby.”
“He’s been following Rob Golly for a while,” Madison said without much attention. Still scanning pages on her laptop, she added, “Now that I know where Golly is, it doesn’t seem fair to keep that from Crosby.”
“You’ll move cautiously,” Parrish decreed, “and you’ll keep the rest of us informed every step of the way.”
“Of course.” Madison smiled. “We are a team, after all.” She closed her laptop and stood. “But since I have all the research data, the rest of you will just have to trust me when I say that Crosby isn’t a threat to us.”
As she made a grand exit, Parrish stared after her.
Cade and Star shared a look.
Apparently, Cade thought, he’d started a movement when he fell for his wife. Now he only hoped his brother and sister would end up as happy as he was.
REYESSATONa boulder and pulled Kennedy between his thighs, wrapping his arms around her to keep her warm. Here, by the lake, a brisk breeze sent a shiver up her spine.
He kissed the side of her neck. “Want to go back to the house?”
“No, not yet.” She settled against him, her hands curling over his forearms, which he’d crossed over her breasts. “It’s beautiful here.”
“Yeah.” He’d always liked the lake. In the warmest part of summer, he and Cade had often swum in the water that seemed to be forever icy, fed by the mountain streams. “You did well with Dad.”
She turned her head so he’d see her smile. “He’s a tyrant, but I think overall he’s just concerned about you.”
Reyes knew exactly what ailed his dad: fear of another son getting caught up in a romance. Sterling had already shaken things up. His dad probably feared losing control of the entire enterprise if Reyes got serious with Kennedy.
Thinking that, he pressed a kiss to her temple. Serious? Damn right he was serious. Serious about keeping her safe. Serious about wanting her to be happy.
Serious about...making love to her again.
Definitely serious about that.
“What will happen next?” she asked.
He wasn’t entirely sure, since he’d taken her from the table before plans could be made. “Likely Madison will want a few days to figure out if the bastards have a pattern of any kind. When they’re in the motel, when they’re on the road, where they go and for how long. Stuff like that. Once we know, we can figure out where to grab them.”
“What if...” She rested her head back against his shoulder and, after a few seconds, started again. “What if they take other women before then?”
“We’d go in sooner.” Even now, Kennedy was worried about strangers instead of herself. It occurred to him that her entire career was meant to protect others, to prepare them, educate them, so they wouldn’t suffer the same fate she had. “One thing to know, babe. We never turn a blind eye to abuse. If shit happens that alters our plans, we adjust accordingly.”
She sat up and turned to face him, her expression drawn in worry. “Have you ever been hurt?”
“Few times.” He carried her fingers to his upper chest, near his shoulder. “Did you happen to notice the scar I have here?”
“Yes.”
“Knife wound,” he said. “I demolished the fucker who did that, by the way.” He moved her fingers to his thigh. “The scar I have here? Graze of a bullet. Prick was trying to unman me but missed.” He showed his teeth in a savage smile. “I didn’t.”
Her gaze searched his, and suddenly she was against him, her arms snug around his neck. “You could have been killed and I never would have met you.”
Then she might have died, too, because who else could she have called on the night of the fire? No one. He crushed her closer. “I didn’t, you didn’t, and we’re going to keep it that way.”
“Sometimes,” she whispered, “I’m so afraid.”
He didn’t want that. A healthy respect for consequences, yeah, that was good. But actual fear? She’d had enough of that in her life already. “Can you tell me anything else about O’Neil?” He’d kill the man who’d once taken her, who apparently hunted her now, and he wouldn’t have a single moment of remorse. “Anything at all would be good.”
Her arms loosened as she eased out of his embrace. “He was a chain-smoker.” Absently she smoothed a hand along the side of his neck. “He was meaner when he drank—and he drank all the time.”
Fucker. Reyes would take pleasure in ending him.
“You saw what he looks like. Faded blond hair, under six feet, I think, but I couldn’t say for sure.”
Because she’d been so young, and so traumatized, every man had likely felt huge. Who paid attention to little details when survival was top of the list? “Any tattoos?” he prompted. “Jewelry?”
She touched her throat, down by her clavicle. “A snake tattoo.”
“What kind of clothes did he wear?”
“I don’t know.” Pressing her fingertips to her temples, she frowned. “Jeans usually, I think. T-shirts.” Sounding shamed, she said, “I tried not to look at him.”
“You’re doing great, babe.” Pulling her hands down, he pressed small, soft kisses to each of her knuckles. “Anything else?”
She shook her head. “I’m sorry.”
“That’s plenty for now.” An especially cold wind blew over the lake, and Reyes decided it was time to get back to business. “Know what I want to do?”
Her eyes were big and blue, her honey-colored hair moving with the wind. “Plan?”
“Yeah, that first.” He stood and tugged her to her feet. “Then I’d like to take you home and strip you naked, and spend the day in bed.”
Slowly the darkness left her expression, and her mouth curled into a smile. “I like that idea.”
He realized he was being a selfish ass, so he offered her an out. “Unless you’d rather take in a movie first? Or if you have any shopping to do?”
Wearing an impish smile, she pretended to think about it. “Let me see. A movie, or you naked? Such a difficult decision.”
Teasing right back, Reyes reached for her breast. “Or maybe we should just make use of this boulder? I don’t think my family would spy on us, then we could head to a movie when we leave here.”
She surprised him by laughing. “Don’t tempt me.” Holding his hand for balance, she carefully made her way down the boulder, then laced her fingers through his once they had their feet on the ground again. “Let’s go get this planning over with. I can call Jodi on the way home.” She flashed him a smile. “And then...”
“I’ll show you how nice a day spent in bed can be.”
Together.
He thought it, but didn’t say it.
He had a lot of things to work out, including his attitude on going it alone. Kennedy might not realize it, but she’d altered his thinking on things.
Hell, she’d altered his entire existence. His habits. His convictions.
Maybe even...his heart.
