Stronger Than You Know by Lori Foster

CHAPTER SIX

THEIDEAOFsharing her innermost thoughts, her basest fears and most humiliating moments left her shaken, so she deflected. “I thought you wanted to know about Jodi.”

“That, too.” As usual, Reyes let her off the hook. “Go ahead and eat. We’re not in a rush. I have the whole day free.”

No problem there. She was finally hungry, and the breakfast really was delicious. In between bites, she shared some of Jodi’s characteristics. Like her brusque insistence of going it alone. Her staunch defense of any woman injured by a man. The very meager way she lived.

“How long was she with the bastard?”

“A few months. She’s never said exactly, but I know it was long enough that she’d given up hope. Unlike my situation, she was alone. At least I had Sharlene and the other women. We made a unique sort of family, weird as that sounds.”

“Not weird at all. Even in terrible circumstances, there’s comfort in numbers.”

See, how could she not be impressed with his insight? “Jodi was alone, mistreated, desperate, and I hope you don’t blame her for—”

“If she killed the fucker, I’ll cheer her on.”

“She did.” Once the blurted words left her mouth, Kennedy went still, anxiously waiting to see how Reyes would react. He surprised her by not reacting.

Around eating, he asked, “How’d she do it?”

This was Jodi’s secret, and Kennedy had never shared it before. “You can’t tell anyone.”

“Okay.” He nodded at her food. “You need to eat, hon.”

No, she wasn’t buying it. “Just like that? You won’t say anything to Cade or Madison?”

“No reason. They already suspect she’s crossed a few lines, and if Madison wants to know details, she’ll figure it out.” He rolled one shoulder. “Just know that you never have to question my word. If I can’t keep something secret, I’ll say so. If I say I will, then I will.”

Had she offended him? She didn’t think so. It felt more like he wanted to reassure her. Again. “I wasn’t questioning you, not really.”

“Good. So how’d she do it? I’m guessing he didn’t leave any weapons around.”

“No. He’d had weapons, some that he’d used to threaten Jodi, but they were always locked away where she couldn’t get them.”

Right up until the tide had turned.

Her heart beat a little faster. Nervousness did that to her. Reyes might treat this little convo as no big deal, but to Jodi, it would be the biggest betrayal imaginable. Unfortunately, Kennedy wasn’t sure what else to do. “The room he put her in was small and dark. The door locked on the outside. She said it was bare concrete, with damp walls. Always cold.” Imagining it made her shiver. “All she had was a bucket for a toilet, and a wooden pallet to keep her off the floor. No blanket, no water or food. No way to stay warm.” Feeling more of the chill Jodi must have suffered, Kennedy lifted her coffee cup in both hands, cradling it close.

Reyes’s eyes narrowed. “I hope he didn’t have an easy death.”

She glanced around the restaurant. No one was near. No one paid them any attention other than a few women giving Reyes sly glances. Not that she could blame them. He owned the space by his presence alone, not to mention his size and that too-handsome face.

Dropping her voice to a barely there whisper, Kennedy continued the gruesome tale. “Jodi managed to break up the pallet by busting it against the wall. Then she dragged the edges against the rough concrete wall to sharpen them.”

“Clever.”

She’d always thought so. “Jodi could have starved before he returned, but she used her misery to build her rage. She was waiting next to the door when he finally came in.”

“And?” he prompted.

Again, images formed in her mind, turning her stomach with the ugliness of it all. “She stabbed him with a jagged piece of wood. She said it wasn’t a fatal blow, but the wood broke off in his side, and she had several pieces that she’d gotten ready. She...slashed and stabbed until he went down and didn’t get up.”

“Grisly,” he said, not at all disturbed. “She got out of there, then?”

Kennedy shook her head. “She locked him in the room first, then yelled through the door that she’d call an ambulance for him if he gave her the combination to his safe. Jodi said he could barely talk, that he was hurting bad, bleeding everywhere. She’d... Apparently she’d cut across his face, laying open his cheek and injuring his eye. She said he was begging for help, afraid he’d go blind.”

“Fuuuuck,”Reyes said, sounding impressed. “Guess she got a little payback.”

“He was desperate, and he gave her what she wanted. She found cash and weapons in the safe, and also her purse, which still had her ID and stuff. She grabbed some of his clothes so she could change once she was well away. Then she found the keys to his car, and...” Kennedy shook her head. “She left.”

“No ambulance, huh?”

Still, Reyes didn’t seem disturbed. “She never told anyone, and she never went back. Unless someone found him, he died in that room.”

“A fitting end for him.”

“There were times when Jodi wanted to check the house, to make sure he was dead and gone. I always managed to talk her out of it.”

“Good.” He went back to eating. “It’s risky to revisit a site.”

“Know something about that, do you?”

Scoffing, Reyes didn’t take the bait. He just nudged her plate at her. “There’ve been times since then that Jodi went after people?”

Kennedy really hated to share this part, even knowing she had to. “I don’t have names, or even many details, but she told me about a guy who’d been abusing his wife. She sabotaged his car somehow and he ended up going over a bridge. He survived, but hurt his back, and Jodi was satisfied that he wouldn’t walk again, so he couldn’t hurt his wife.”

Reyes offered no judgment.

Rubbing her forehead, Kennedy said, “She also took credit for a few pimps who were found dead, as well as a guy who’d paid one of the pimps for time with a seventeen-year-old girl.”

“Is that it?” he asked without inflection.

Kennedy shook her head. “She went after a drug dealer who was preying on kids. He’s dead, too. OD.”

Softly Reyes said, “Jodi’s gotten around.”

“If the stories are all true, yes she has. I’ve done everything I could to convince her to stop. I’ve urged her to start building a better life for herself.”

“She doesn’t yet know how.”

“No, she doesn’t. And the longer she plays vigilante, the more concerned I am that she won’t stop—until someone stops her.”

“A worry for you, I’m sure.” He again nudged her plate. “If that’s it, will you please eat before your food gets any colder? We have a lot of shopping ahead of us.”

She had a feeling Reyes wanted time to think. He was certainly quiet for a while after that.

Once they’d finished up their food, Kennedy accepted a refill on her coffee.

“Seriously, hon, you consume way too much caffeine,” he commented.

“You can have your vices and I’ll have mine.”

“My vices are more fun.”

Assuming his were all sexually related, she shook her head. “Jodi said she’d never admitted what she’d done to anyone other than me. With the first guy, I don’t blame her.”

“Of course not.”

Kennedy knew if she’d been braver, stronger, she’d have done the same thing. Instead, she’d allowed herself to be intimidated until Sharlene gave her life to free her.

No, she didn’t blame Jodi. Too often, she blamed herself.

And the rest of it? The other people Jodi claimed to have hurt or killed? Honestly, she just didn’t know.

A WEEKWENTby in an incredible rush. Having a woman in his house was, at times, more pleasant than he could have imagined, and other times beyond frustrating. Like the way Kennedy slept in the guest room now.

Reyes hated it.

He’d liked holding her, but the very next night, she’d quietly made her preferences known and had slept apart from him ever since.

His subtle suggestions that she might be more comfortable with him, that his bed was big enough, the mattress more comfortable, had only brought out her infuriating manners.

She’d politely say, “The guest room is very comfortable, but thank you,” and he didn’t know how to press the issue without also pressing her.

That, he wouldn’t do.

Why did she have to get all stubborn now and deny them both?

Other than their sleeping arrangements, everything else was easier than he’d expected. He, Reyes McKenzie, a man who’d put careful boundaries around his privacy, now relished having a woman in his space.

And not just any woman, but a woman he couldn’t touch.

Never in his life had he thought he’d be in a situation like this—and liking it.

She’d damn near shopped him to death those first few days, saying it was his own fault since he wouldn’t let her out of his sight. True enough, she’d offered to let him sit in the mall restaurant while she gathered everything she needed, but he, being a glutton for punishment and feeling over-the-top protective of her, had stuck as close as her shadow.

He’d also covered those expenses, and it seemed like Kennedy would never get over it. Hadn’t anyone ever helped her? Didn’t matter how many times he assured her he could afford it, she got touchy about paying him back once she could access her funds.

He was independent, too, so he got it. But in some strange, chauvinistic way, he’d savored the act of providing for her.

So he had some caveman genes? Go figure.

In the end, all her careful selections, based on price and comfort, worked out. She now had warmer clothes for the chillier fall weather, plus hiking boots for their evening walks, which had become routine.

Kennedy shared his fascination with the mountains. She could walk forever, discovering creeks, exploring shallow caves and memorizing birds. Sometimes they followed easy paths, and other times they labored over rough terrain. He loved it all, and sharing with Kennedy made it somehow special.

His cabinets now held her favorite snacks, which were mostly things he didn’t eat, but he enjoyed watching her enjoy them.

How twisted was that? Here he was, a grown-ass man, sexual in the extreme, but the way Kennedy licked her lips while eating a cookie made him hot.

He really needed to get laid, and soon.

But he wouldn’t leave her alone to see to that, so... celibacy ruled his immediate future. Which wasn’t to say he didn’t appreciate his time with her.

“I need a shower,” she said, as she climbed into his truck.

“You can use the showers at the gym, you know.” They spent each morning and afternoon there together. Already Kennedy had gotten better at a few basic moves, though she wasn’t a natural like his sister-in-law, Sterling. Overall, Kennedy didn’t have the same killer instinct or a rabid desire to hone deadly skills. For her, it was more about survival. She didn’t want to maim, as Jodi had done. Or stay and fight, as Sterling would insist on doing.

Kennedy wanted enough advantage to flee.

“I’m not big on group showers.” She wrinkled her nose. “There are always other people there.” She gave him a look. “Do you realize the women walk around naked like it’s no big deal? They dry their hair, chat with their friends and apply makeup, all while entirely nude.”

No, he hadn’t known that. Interesting. “You’re shy, huh?” Or was it that the trauma of her past made her more private about her body?

Yeah, that would make sense. Frowning, he got behind the wheel, all the while checking the area to ensure no one, including Jodi, was looming around.

“I’ve always been reserved when it came to my body.”

“There’s no reason,” he said with total honesty.

Half smiling, she ducked her face. “I used the sink in your bathroom to clean up, and I changed clothes, but it’s not the same as a nice long shower.”

No, he supposed it wasn’t. And damn it, he didn’t want to think about Kennedy lingering under a warm spray.

In more ways than he could count, she was the total opposite of his brother’s wife. Put in a similar situation, Sterling would have owned the showers and anyone in them. In part, her alpha attitude made her perfect for Cade.

But Reyes wouldn’t like having a chick around who was every bit as ruthless as him.

“I mean it, you know. You have a nice body.”

Her eyes flared. “You’ve never seen my body.”

“I’ve seen you in snug shorts.” He rolled a shoulder. “You have a really nice ass.”

Kennedy almost choked. “That’s...” She shook her head. “Um, thanks.”

Her modesty was kind of cute, now that he knew it was just part of her nature and not something wrought from abuse. “Did I embarrass you? Sorry. I don’t know a lot of shy women.”

“I’m not really shy. Not about most things.”

“Just your ass?”

Laughing, she slugged him in the shoulder. “I got a lot of work done today. Your office is comfortable.”

Often while at the gym, after a few hours of instruction from him, Kennedy would retreat to his office to write her book. He’d read most of the one already published, and that made it even more difficult for him to be apart from her.

He was most at ease when he had eyes on the woman.

“Glad to hear it.”

Once they were on the main road to his house, Kennedy retrieved her phone from her purse and checked her messages. That was a pattern for her. While doing drills, or writing, she kept the phone in her bag so it wouldn’t distract her.

Now, as she flipped through texts, he immediately sensed that something was wrong.

The urge to pull over, to give her his undivided attention, warred with the need to secure her in his home. He wasn’t Cade, all even-tempered and shit. Hell, he was the opposite of Cade. “What is it?”

“You’re not going to like it.”

Probably not. Anything that put that worried expression onto Kennedy’s face automatically irked him. “Tell me anyway.”

She nodded, looked at the phone again, and said, “I just got a text from Jodi.”

Well, that wasn’t horrible. At least he hoped it wasn’t. “Took her long enough. What does she have to say?”

Kennedy chewed her bottom lip. “She, um, is warning me that you’re dangerous.”

“She’s right.” He gave her another quick glance. “But remember, I’m not dangerous to you.”

“She said you wreak destruction wherever you go.”

He snorted. How the hell would Jodi know? “A little dramatic, but whatever.”

“None of that bothers me, Reyes. I’m glad you can be ruthless.”

“So what’s the problem?”

“Jodi wants to meet me tonight.”

“No.”

“She said I can stay with her—”

“No fucking way.”

Frowning, Kennedy said, “You realize that your vocabulary deteriorates whenever you get annoyed or when you’re taken by surprise.”

“I’m not taken by surprise.” He scowled, letting her know what he thought of that notion. “But I don’t want you going anywhere. Your friend might be unbalanced.”

Kennedy didn’t deny that.

What would he do if she decided to bail on him? It wasn’t yet safe. Hell, they still hadn’t discovered anything pertinent, and until they did, he couldn’t resolve jack shit, which meant she was still in danger. “You remember she was at the fire, right?”

“It’s not like I’d forget.”

That was something, at least. He gave the situation quick thought, trying to gauge what his family would say about it, then he shrugged. They weren’t here, and he had to make a decision. Once they got home, Kennedy would barricade herself in the guest room again and he’d lose his chance to persuade her to his way of thinking. “Now might be a good time to ask her why she was there, to see her reaction.”

Kennedy considered that for a moment. “If I do, she’s going to ask me how I know.”

“Or she’ll deny it.”

“No, I don’t think she’d lie to me. As far as I know, she never has.”

“So you’ll tell her the truth that a security camera off another business picked up her image. You don’t need to mention Madison, though.”

“I’m not sure I’m good with half-truths.”

“Sorry, honey, but it’s necessary. Until we know how Jodi is involved, you can’t trust her.”

She stared at the phone, her troubled thoughts showing in her frown. “All right. Should I call or text?”

“Call. And put her on speaker.”

Her chest expanded on a deep breath. “God, this feels like such a betrayal.”

“I’m sorry.” He meant it. “Your safety comes first, okay?”

Nodding, she let her thumb hover over the screen...and finally pressed the phone icon.

It rang only once before a frantic voice answered. “Kennedy, thank God. Tell me you’re all right.”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“People deliberately burned down your apartment building.”

She shot Reyes a look as if to say, See? She’s transparent. “I know. I’d just gotten home from a trip. It spooked me.”

“That’s why you’re with the big guy?”

“I met him at the gym where I work out.” She cradled the phone closer. “Jodi, what were you doing at my building that night?”

“Trying to watch out for you. Jesus, Kennedy, I didn’t know you were still out of town and when I saw the whole thing burning, I panicked. I thought you were inside.”

“But how did you know to be there?” she pressed.

“So here’s the thing. You can’t tell that hulk, okay? I don’t trust him. He’s incredibly shifty.”

“He’s not, actually,” Kennedy replied. “He’s one of the good guys, Jodi.”

“There are no good guys. They’re all creeps, as you should know by now!”

Reyes reached over to touch Kennedy’s knee, letting her know he wasn’t insulted, that in fact he got Jodi’s anger.

She nodded, then said gently, “You trust me, Jodi. So trust me to know a monster from a protector. Reyes won’t hurt me, I promise.”

“Maybe not physically,” Jodi sneered. “Some just use women as conveniences. He’s that type of man, Kennedy. Do you know he’s banging several women already? While he’s with you?”

Kennedy’s brows shot up. “While I’ve been with him, he hasn’t gone anywhere, and what he does in his free time is his own business. We’re not together that way.”

For some reason, it irked Reyes to hear Kennedy say that. It was true, but still...

Sharp with disbelief, Jodi hissed, “You don’t care that he’s using them?”

It bothered Reyes that the woman’s voice had risen. She teetered on the brink of rage, and it wouldn’t take much to push her over the edge.

“You don’t know him, Jodi, but I do. If he’s sexually involved with anyone, it’s consensual. I don’t think he’d lie to them, either. Odds are they’re as satisfied with an open-ended agreement as he is.”

He noticed that Kennedy avoided his gaze.

New concerns intruded. There were only three women he’d seen lately, and if Jodi knew about them, then it meant she’d been spying on him for a while.

Which likely meant she’d been spying on Kennedy, too, and had seen her with him at the gym.

Kennedy must have figured the same thing, because she said, “Listen to me, Jodi. I need you to explain a few things, all right? First, why were you at my apartment?”

All the heat evaporated from her voice. “You’re like family to me. The only family I have. I’ve watched over you for a while.”

Pressing back into her seat, Kennedy paled. “By hanging outside my apartment? By following me?”

“Sometimes, yeah. You remember that jerk that was hassling you, right? I want to make sure no one else bothers you. You’re not like me. You don’t fight.”

Briefly closing her eyes, Kennedy nodded. “That’s true. I’ve tried to get better, and I’m more in shape. I’m just not much of a fighter.”

Now wait a minute! Reyes hated the hint of shame he heard in her voice. Of course she was a damn fighter. Anyone could see that.

“I knew you’d been out of town,” Jodi continued. “I try to keep up with your schedule.”

Kennedy’s gaze met his.

Disturbed, Reyes turned down the drive to his house. The fine hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, and he used extra caution surveying the area.

“All right,” Kennedy said, trying to soothe her. “You were there and you saw something?”

“I thought you were already back. You were supposed to be back.”

“I had delays.” Kennedy rubbed at her forehead.

“I’m glad, because if you hadn’t, you’d...” The words trailed off, then renewed with a vengeance. “I saw those assholes dicking around your apartment! I knew they were up to something, and I was right.”

“When I saw the fire,” Kennedy said, “I called Reyes. He picked me up. You didn’t see that?”

“No, I left once everyone was out of the building. That’s when I figured you weren’t in there.”

If she’d already left, then who killed the two men?

Kennedy asked her exactly that, being more direct than Reyes expected. “Those two men were found with bullets in their heads.”

“I know,” Jodi said. “Good riddance.”

Kennedy stiffened. “Did you...?”

“No, but I would have.” Her voice lowered with grave determination. “The world is better off without their kind. I didn’t have a chance to get to them, so I’m glad someone else did.”

“But who?”

“I figured it was your boyfriend.”

“He is not my boyfriend, Jodi. I already explained this to you.”

“Okay, okay. Don’t get your panties in a bunch. I’m just saying. He seems like he’s capable, right? Who’s to say he didn’t off them?”

“I say he didn’t. Remember, he was with me.”

“Yeah, okay. So someone else did us a favor.”

By the second, Kennedy got more frazzled. “You’ve been following Reyes, too?”

“Sometimes. I mean, I’m not going to trust him with my girl, am I?” Her attempt at levity fell flat. “He’s a creep.”

Dark with suspicion, Kennedy asked, “Do you know the women he’s been with?”

“No. Want me to check into them more?”

“No! Absolutely not.”

Reyes squeezed her knee, then pressed the garage door opener so he could pull inside. Immediately, he shut it again.

Already he felt better, knowing Kennedy wasn’t exposed to her lunatic friend. He hadn’t seen anyone following them, but there was a chance Jodi was good enough to be somewhere on the property and not get spotted.

After a steadying breath, Kennedy reclaimed her calm. “I don’t want you to do anything else, Jodi, okay? I mean it. I’m an adult and I can take care of myself.”

“Yeah, right,” she said with caustic sarcasm.

In contrast, Kennedy softly chided, “That’s not kind, Jodi.”

Seconds ticked by, then Jodi said, “Sorry. I just don’t want to see you hurt again.”

“Then don’t assume the worst about Reyes, don’t spy on his girlfriends and, please, trust in my instincts and intelligence.”

“I guess this means you’re going to stay with him.”

“Do you know where he lives?” Kennedy whispered, her spine going rigid. “Have you followed him home?”

“No, but I’ve seen him at the gym, and I’ve seen him visit women.” She paused. “He’s cagey, you know? Not easy to tail.” Jodi huffed out a breath. “When can I see you?”

Reyes shook his head, not wanting her to commit.

She accepted that without question. “I don’t know. Right now I’m working on my book and trying to get my life reorganized after the fire and everything.”

“Plus, it’s not really safe for you to be out alone.”

“No, it’s not.”

“Okay, so stay with the hulk. But promise me, if he does anything he shouldn’t, if he hurts you in any way, you’ll let me know. I swear to you, I’ll end him.”

Jesus, the girl was unhinged. Reyes met Kennedy’s horrified gaze. Again he shook his head. He wasn’t worried, so Kennedy shouldn’t worry, either.

Keeping her gaze locked with his, Kennedy stated, “If you attempt to hurt him in any way, I won’t forgive you, Jodi. Do you understand?”

“No sweat. I’ve got my hands full with another jerk anyway.”

“Wait. What?”

“I’ll be in touch, okay? And remember. You need me, all you gotta do is call.”

Kennedy sat forward. “Jodi, don’t—”

The call ended with all the subtlety of a thunderclap. Kennedy redialed immediately, but this time Jodi didn’t answer.

“It’s okay,” Reyes said, hating that the girl had upset her. “Take a breath, babe.”

Gulping in air, Kennedy visibly struggled with everything she’d just heard. Reyes gave her plenty of time, until the automatic overhead light flicked off, filling the garage with shadows.

Galvanized, he opened the truck door and got out. The look on Kennedy’s face bothered him. She had enough worries without adding Jodi to the list.

With a long, purposeful stride, he circled the hood. For once, Kennedy was still sitting there. Not waiting for him to do the gentlemanly thing, but rather in a fog of dread.

He unhooked her seat belt. “Come on, hon, it’s going to be okay.” He took her purse and gym bag, and when he closed his fingers around her arm, she finally reacted.

Looking at him, Kennedy whispered, “She’s irrational.”

“Sounds like.” He eased her out of the truck, more cognizant than ever of her small frame. With his arm around her waist, he led her inside. “It’s not your problem.”

“She’s my friend.”

“She’s obsessed with you.” Someone had to state the obvious. “That’s not healthy.”

“You heard her.” Kennedy halted in the mudroom to kick off her sneakers, then she took the gym bag from him, and her purse. “She doesn’t have anyone else.”

Reyes smoothed her hair, left unruly from her activity at the gym. Her blue eyes were big and soft, her lips trembling.

And he wanted her like he’d never wanted another woman.

“We’ll figure it out, okay? First things first, though. We need to let Madison know Jodi has been following me, that she knows about...” Shit. He rubbed the back of his neck.

“Your women?” Kennedy asked, her tone just a tad too detached to sound authentic. “Yes, you should let Madison know about that.” She pivoted away. “I need that shower, now more than ever.”

He let her go, mostly because he wasn’t sure what to say.

She’d staunchly defended him to Jodi, stating unequivocally that he wouldn’t misuse women. Hell, she’d even defended Annette, Cathy and Lili, correctly assuming that they were strong women who made their own decisions.

He’d never lied to a woman to get her into bed.

He never would.

If anyone wanted more than just sex, he walked away.

Yet here he was with Kennedy, who wanted nothing at all except his protection.

At the moment, that didn’t seem to matter. She knew him, better than any other woman. In some ways, better than his family.

On top of that, there was a lot to unravel with everything Jodi had admitted.

Keeping Kennedy safe remained his top priority. Getting closer to her felt vital.

As he went through the house, he thought about everything he had to juggle, including his own confusion, but for the moment, he felt uncommonly...content.

It was because of Kennedy, and damn, he wasn’t sure what to do about it. He was still a die-hard bachelor. Cade had made the whole relationship thing work, but as he often reminded himself, he wasn’t Cade. A woman didn’t fit into his life, the life groomed for him by his father.

But then, he didn’t think Kennedy wanted to be a part of his life. So why was he tormenting himself about it?

Because he wanted her. Bad.

And that, he could have...if only she wanted it, too.