Stronger Than You Know by Lori Foster
CHAPTER EIGHT
“I CAMEOVERwith Madison,” Sterling said. “Since I hadn’t planned to leave—until you offered better entertainment—you’ll have to give me a lift back.”
Great. More isolated time with her. If only he’d kept his mouth shut. Reyes plastered on an insincere smile. If she knew she’d irked him, she’d only dig in more. “No problem.”
His lack of enthusiasm made Sterling laugh out loud. “You are so transparent, you big fraud.” When he started around to open her door, she made a sound of derision and hauled herself up into the truck.
Stopping to stare at her, Reyes propped his fists on his hips. “What if I’d planned to take my bike?” He hadn’t had the Harley out recently. The day was cool, but the sun was bright.
Already jumping back out of the truck, Sterling said, “Awesome. Let’s do it.”
Figured she’d like that idea. Cade would kick his ass for real if he had Sterling strapped around him on the drive to his father’s place. For such a calm, in-control guy, his brother was ridiculously territorial with his wife. “No, I don’t think so.”
“Spoilsport.” Again she jumped easily into the truck. As he pulled out of the driveway, she added, “Reyes has a girlfriend,” in a low and annoying singsong voice.
The truth was, he loved his sister-in-law, most especially because she had brought Cade back into the family. His big brother had avoided that duty by joining the army rangers. When he medically retired with a bad knee from too many jumps out of moving planes, he’d reluctantly returned to the family...yet an emotional distance had remained.
From the start, Cade had bucked their father’s iron will. He wanted to choose his own destiny, not fall in line with his father’s plans.
When he met Sterling, though, he got a whole new perspective on what family meant, mostly because she didn’t have one and therefore appreciated his.
They’d all pulled together to get her bacon out of the fire. Of course, that hadn’t stopped Reyes from teasing her mercilessly. He’d at first considered her a pushy broad who’d played at being a badass. Hadn’t taken him long to realize she wasn’t playing.
The lady had endless stamina, a backbone of steel, a streak of bravery a mile wide and endless determination to learn. He liked her. More than that, he respected her.
Maybe he should tell her that to end their not-so-subtle war.
Nah. Pretty sure she enjoyed it as much as he did. Or at least, as much as he did when he wasn’t worried for Kennedy.
“Not denying it, huh?”
Reyes took his sunglasses from the visor and slipped them on. “What’s that? Did you say something?”
Sterling grinned. She was a tall, bold woman with strong features, a sturdy, rockin’ body, and a lack of fashion sense. When she smiled? Downright beautiful.
“You like her. Admit it.”
“I like her.” He more than liked her. Not that he’d do anything about it.
“Wow.” Clearly Sterling hadn’t expected that reply. “So how does she feel about you?”
It occurred to him that his sister-in-law might make a good sounding board. She’d been through a devastating experience similar to what Kennedy had endured. The big difference was that Sterling appeared to bounce back. Like a boxer, she refused to show weakness in any way. Long before she’d met Cade, she’d had some understandable hang-ups concerning sex—but she’d forged onward, involving herself in sexual situations until she no longer froze, for the sole purpose of ensuring she wouldn’t cower when threatened. Her whole focus had been on helping others, and she knew she couldn’t do that if the threat of sex left her emotionally paralyzed.
Because of her resolve, she’d learned to “get through it” without anyone realizing how she disliked the whole physical thing.
Now with Cade... The two of them could barely keep their hands off each other. Sterling had gone from tolerating sex to wallowing in the pleasure of it.
Which meant his brother did a fair amount of smiling these days.
“Trust me,” Sterling said, “if it takes that much thought trying to figure it out, she’s not into you. Women aren’t that subtle.”
Never a dull moment with his prickly sister-in-law. She had a razor-sharp wit that he couldn’t help admiring. “I could use some advice.”
Slapping a hand over her heart, Sterling pretended to swoon back against the door.
“Knock it off. I’m serious.”
As if she didn’t believe her ears, she said, “You want my advice?”
Damn, couldn’t she ever let up? “Never mind. It was a bad idea.”
“No way, now I want to hear this. Behold, a serious woman. Tell me what’s troubling you. I’m all ears.”
The humor caught him off guard, making him snicker. “I don’t know how Cade tolerates your sarcasm.”
“He doesn’t earn it, that’s how.” Shifting to better face him, she grew serious. “Come on, give. All ribbing aside, you’re my brother now and I care about you. I’ll help if I can.”
Yeah, that was the sister-in-law he loved. She could charge into danger with the best of them, and she also had a heart of gold. “You know what Kennedy went through.”
“Yeah. Hope the dick who did that to her is buried deep.”
One guy was. The other? He didn’t know. “She’s...guarded still.”
Plainspoken as always, Sterling asked, “You mean about sex? With you?”
Reyes frowned. “You’re jumping the gun.”
“So you don’t mean sex?”
Why in the world had he thought she’d be subtle about the topic? “Damn it, will you let me talk?”
She pretended to zip her lips.
After shooting her a quelling glance, she remained silent and waiting, and Reyes released a deep breath. “Sex between us hasn’t come up. I’m not an idiot where women are concerned. I pick up on stuff. Kennedy’s not into it, not just with me, but I think with anyone. I think she’s...” Not damaged. Never that. “I don’t think she’s given sex a thought since she got away.”
“Can I speak now?”
Why not? “Have at it.”
“Kennedy obviously doesn’t know what she’s missing. In her mind, sex is still all about humiliation, lack of choices and pain—basically the total opposite of fun. Given what she’s been through, she’s probably not looking to change that.”
“You did.”
“Yeah, well, you know I can’t stand being cowed by anyone or anything. To me, sex was a handicap to overcome.”
“And you managed that.” Could Kennedy?
“Yeah, I did. Sex was no longer an agony, but it was a far shot from enjoyable.” She bobbed her eyebrows. “Whole different story with your oh-so-amazing brother.”
“I figured.” It felt both strange and natural to have this discussion with Sterling. “The last thing I want to do is spook Kennedy, you know? I want her to feel safe with me.”
“She does. Guaranteed.”
“Yeah? You really think so?”
“She’s smart, right? She would have moved on already if she didn’t trust you.”
At least that was something.
“Here’s what I’d do,” Sterling said. “Build on that trust. Like the way you kissed her goodbye today? Totally took her by surprise, but she didn’t mind. It just wasn’t something in her wheelhouse. I doubt she’s let any guy get close enough for an affectionate peck. Do that a few more times.”
Not a problem. “And?”
“Trust opens the door to other things. Right now, she’s got her guard up, even with you. I mean, a smart woman doesn’t want to take the chance on being hurt twice. So while she doesn’t think you’d do anything heinous to harm her, she’s still protecting herself. When she lets down those walls, she’ll notice things.”
“Like?”
“Like your very fine physique and sexy attitude. Actually, she’s probably already been clued in on that, she’s just not sure what to do about it.”
Reyes felt heat burn up the back of his neck. A compliment from Sterling was a damned uncomfortable thing.
Either she didn’t notice his unease, or she flat out didn’t care. “You know how to seduce, right? I mean, you are Cade’s brother, so I assume—”
Affronted, he growled, “Knowing how and thinking I should are two different things.”
In a soothing tone, Sterling explained, “I’m not saying to come on hot and heavy. That’d be all wrong. Just help her ease into things. I know if she gives you a back-off signal, you’ll respect that.”
“Yes.”
“So there you go. When she realizes she likes the contact, that a kiss isn’t an ugly, unwanted thing, that it makes her want more, then you can deliver. Little by little, though, okay?” She landed a friendly punch to his shoulder. “I know this family has some superior genes coursing through the bloodline, but a guy is a guy is a guy. Don’t think she’s all enthused when she might not be. Wait until she makes it clear it’s what she wants.”
“I wouldn’t pressure her.” For some reason, it was important to him for Sterling to understand that.
“I know that, Reyes.” Briefly she touched his forearm, as if to emphasize the sincerity of her words, then she retreated again. “I guess that’s why you want to spar? Have some pent-up frustrations to work out?”
Something like that. “Just keeping my edge.”
“If you say so.”
Which translated to: You are so full of it.
He liked Sterling, he really did. If nothing else, she always kept it real.
NOWTHATTHEYwere alone, Madison launched right into work. “Over the past month, our local Human Trafficking task force teamed up with the state and did a huge sting. They not only rounded up a bunch of missing kids, they got multiple traffickers.”
Freezing in horror, Kennedy breathed, “The kids are okay?”
“They are now, yeah. Many of them were runaways and such, and they’re getting help. Some were being groomed to be prostitutes, but for most, it hadn’t happened yet.”
Thank God.
Madison scooted closer. “Not every situation is like yours.”
“I know that, but they’re all awful.”
“I agree. But what I meant is that sometimes the kids are coaxed into it, not forced. They have someone taking care of them when no one else has—and sometimes just because they think they’re misunderstood and they’re rebelling against their parents. Being out with a ‘protector’ who ensures they have food and pretty clothes, it’s seductive. Then the sexual favors start, and pretty soon, once they’re used to that—”
“The trafficker asks for more.” Kennedy hated them all. Each and every one of the monsters who preyed on the vulnerable, either through emotional control or physical abuse.
“Yes.” She touched Kennedy’s hand. “But they’re rescued now, and the ones responsible will be prosecuted. What I need you to do is look through these images and see if you recognize anyone.”
Kennedy took the laptop from her and settled back on the couch. Photos of men, and a few women, both facing forward and in profile, filled the screen. “How did you get these?” They looked like official police photos.
Madison smiled but didn’t answer. “Click on each image to enlarge it.” With a pat to Kennedy’s hand, she stood. “I could use a cup of coffee and maybe a few cookies. You?”
“Sounds good. You want me to make it?” She now felt fairly comfortable in Reyes’s home. A dangerous thing, that. A part of her knew she should be expending every ounce of free time trying to figure out how to leave; instead, every day she became more settled.
“No, you look through those. I’ll be right back.”
An hour later, with a looming headache and eyestrain, Kennedy admitted defeat. “I’m sorry, but I don’t recognize any of them.” Which only meant there were too many horrible people in the world.
“That’s okay. It was worth a shot.”
Another hour passed while they talked and strategized. Kennedy liked Madison. The woman was far too pretty with her fawn-colored hair and wide hazel eyes that matched Reyes’s. She had to be six feet tall, slender but toned, and though she had a fragile femininity about her, Kennedy believed she could do serious damage.
Never would she underestimate any of the McKenzies.
When the doorbell rang, Kennedy nearly leaped off her seat.
“Oops.” Madison glanced up at the nearest monitor. “I was enjoying our visit so much, I didn’t even notice someone approaching.”
Far less cavalier, Kennedy’s heart lodged in her throat, making her rasp when she asked, “Who do you think it is?”
“Oh, look. He’s staring right into the security camera. Isn’t that clever of him?”
Kennedy gaped at her.
“It’s hidden, you know, but he spotted it.” Finally realizing that Kennedy was frozen beside her, Madison smiled. “No worries. It’s just Detective Albertson. What a surprise.”
“You know him?” Kennedy started to relax.
“We’ve never met. He’s been keeping tabs on my family, so I’ve been keeping tabs on him.”
As she headed for the door, Kennedy panicked. “Wait! Should you open that?”
Gently, and with understanding, Madison said, “It’ll be okay, I promise. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
She wouldn’t let... Good grief. Was everyone in the McKenzie family so cocksure of themselves? Of course, she believed Madison was capable, but the man was big, muscular, and he just might have his own set of skills.
Launching from her seat, Kennedy quickly backed up to the kitchen entry, which also put her in line with the hall. If she had to make a run for it, she’d go to the guest room she used, lock the door and dig out her weapons. In fact, maybe she should do that now.
Too late.
Madison swung open the door to reveal a... Wow. Seeing him for real instead of through the camera, the guy looked like a male model. Not as tall as Reyes and Cade, but then who was? He was still six-two, with broad shoulders beneath an expensive suit.
Sandy-brown hair, with gold streaks that made it a few shades lighter than Madison’s, and dark-as-sin eyes, made him a devastatingly handsome man.
Madison smiled. “Hello, Detective Albertson. How nice to see you.”
The detective had been staring at Madison in a surprised yet absorbed way—until her words registered. Then he straightened, on alert. “We haven’t met.”
“No,” Madison confirmed. “We haven’t.”
He looked past her into the house, locked on to Kennedy for a heart-stopping moment, then gave his attention back to Madison. “Miss Madison McKenzie.”
Madison actually seemed pleased that he’d said her name. “That’s Ms., if you don’t mind.”
He acknowledged that with a nod. “I wanted to speak to your brother.”
“Which one?”
“The one who lives here?”
She laughed. Kennedy couldn’t credit it.
And, damn it, she was still tempted to run.
“Unfortunately, Detective, he’s away at the moment. Would you like to come in?”
Kennedy almost choked. She didn’t want a stranger in the house!
Sensing her unease, Madison glanced back. “It’s okay. Detective Albertson is a very good, honest cop. Isn’t that right, Detective?”
Confused by the familiar way she addressed him, he ran a hand over his mouth. “You’ve been studying up on me.”
“Tit for tat, you know.”
Flirting? Was Madison actually flirting with the man? They were all certifiable...but also proficient, damn it. She trusted that Madison knew what she was doing. Sort of.
Maybe.
Still undecided, Albertson hesitated, then finally nodded and stepped in. “Thank you.”
“Coffee?” Madison asked as she headed to the couch and casually closed her laptop.
Not missing a thing, the detective’s suspicious gaze zeroed in on the device. “Sure, thanks.”
Madison looked to Kennedy. “Would you mind?”
“Oh.” Shaking herself, Kennedy said, “Sure,” and hurried away. She needed a minute to herself, and this would help. As she poured the coffee, she tried to think.
Reyes would be furious, she didn’t doubt that. Would he be mad at her, or just his sister?
Didn’t matter. Reyes was the one she trusted—his sister, she barely knew. So she used her phone to quickly send a text to Reyes.
your sis just let in Detective Albertson. They R talking& it seems ok but thought you should know
Immediately she got a reply: On my way. She was about to put the phone in her pocket when another text came in: Stay behind Madison.
Obviously, he believed his sister could protect her. For the moment, that was good enough for her.
“SO.” MADISONCOULDN’Thelp admiring the handsome detective. His sandy-brown hair was a bit too long, curling at the ends in what might have created a boyish look if it wasn’t for his strong jaw and sinfully dark eyes. Such a stunning contrast, that lighter hair with the dark chocolate gaze. With brothers like hers, most men seemed far too ordinary in comparison.
Not so with Crosby. Having never experienced lust at first sight, she sighed.
The good detective shot her a suspicious look, to which she smiled...and yes, that only made him more wary.
It wasn’t only his looks worth noting. Since he’d been checking into them, he had to know that her brothers were very dangerous people. So was she. Yet here he stood, in Reyes’s house, gazing at her with cautious interest—something most men didn’t dare to do.
That dark stare did funny things to her insides. She’d have to get used to the detective in small doses. “If you’re here for a reason, I suggest we get to it.”
Now he smiled. “Suddenly in a rush?”
“Well, since Kennedy surely texted Reyes, and since he’ll race over here just to throw you out—and I do mean throw—yes, it might be wise to find out the reason for your visit.”
That took care of his smile. Annoyance gathered his brows together. They were a few shades darker than his hair and added even more interesting dimensions to his face.
“You’re threatening me with your brother?” he growled.
“Oh, no, I’m happy to finally meet you in person. Remember, I offered you coffee.” Louder, so that Kennedy would hear, she said, “Although I’m starting to wonder if that meant making a new pot, since it’s taking so long.”
Wearing a hot blush, Kennedy finally slunk back. She set the cup on a coaster on the coffee table, then backed a safe distance away.
Clearly she didn’t trust Albertson, which sort of amused Madison. “Crosby—may I call you Crosby?” She didn’t wait for him to answer before continuing to Kennedy. “Crosby is fine, I promise. You can trust my judgment. That said, I don’t mind that you contacted Reyes, I promise. No reason to blush.”
Now Kennedy frowned, too. “I think you’re trying to embarrass me.”
“Not at all. I just want us all to be honest.” She turned back to Crosby. “Now, why are you here?”
He rubbed a big-knuckled hand over his mouth. “We’ve arrested a lot of shady men lately—”
“I’m aware.”
“Yeah, well, maybe you don’t know that there was one particular man I want, but he wasn’t in the mix. I thought you might know something about that.”
Madison almost clapped her hands. “We’re collaborating? Oh, how fun! Do you have an image?”
“I do. So you know, it’s inside my jacket pocket.”
“Not going for a gun, huh?”
“No, I’m not, so don’t overreact.”
That he understood her capability flattered her. Few men would even acknowledge her talents, much less respect them.
Slowly he withdrew a small, crinkled photo and handed it over.
“Hmm.” Madison studied the black-and-white of a balding guy in slight profile, which showed a scraggly ponytail hanging down his neck. He had a very weak chin, an ugly smile and a few missing teeth. “I’m sorry, but he doesn’t look familiar.”
Kennedy gave up her suspicion of Crosby in favor of seeing the photo for herself. Silently, she stared at it. “Are you able to give a name to go with the image?”
Madison watched Kennedy more closely. She saw...maybe not actual recognition, but definitely a flash of something.
As if delivering a curse, Crosby muttered, “Rob Golly.”
Kennedy’s head jerked up. She stared in horror at Crosby, which brought him closer to her in a rush.
“You know him, don’t you?”
“No,” she said, stepping closer to Madison. “No, I don’t.”
Madison touched her arm. “But you’ve heard of him?” Was his a name she’d learned during her time being trafficked?
Or...was the bastard somehow tied to Jodi?
Starting to tremble, Kennedy asked, “Why are you looking for him?”
Crosby noted Kennedy’s unease and he solicitously indicated the chair.
Gripping the photo enough to add new wrinkles to it, Kennedy sank onto the cushion.
Madison chose a spot on the couch and patted the seat beside her.
Ignoring that, Crosby sat at the other end, as far from her as he could get, and retrieved the coffee. He sipped, no doubt using that time to formulate how much he wanted to share.
“You can tell me, you know,” Madison assured him. “I’m completely trustworthy.”
He shot her an incredulous look. “You’re completely...something. Trustworthy isn’t the word I’d use.”
Smart man. “Okay, give. Who is Rob Golly and why do you want him?”
Keeping his gaze on Kennedy, Crosby said, “I’ve been tracking him for a while. Over two years, actually. He’s a known abuser of women, the worst sort of scum you can imagine.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Madison murmured. “I have a very developed imagination.”
Kennedy gaped at her in horrified disbelief. “You’re treating this like a joke.”
Oh, my. Kennedy definitely knew something about the man. “I’m sincerely sorry,” she said, keeping her tone soft. “I never meant to make light of it.”
Kennedy firmed her lips and nodded.
Glancing at Crosby, Madison felt sure that he, too, saw how tightly strung Kennedy had gotten over the man. “Go on.”
He gave a small nod. “Golly moves around a lot, renting old houses where he’d keep women as prisoners. I finally tracked down his last house.”
Kennedy literally held her breath.
Until Crosby added, “But he wasn’t there.”
Covering her mouth with one hand, Kennedy frowned. “What do you mean, he wasn’t there? You had the wrong house?”
“Right house, but Golly was nowhere to be found.”
“How do you know it was the right house?” Madison asked.
“All the signs were there. A room in the basement meant to be a cell. A door with too damn many locks on it.” His right hand curled into a fist, and he rasped, “Blood on the floor.”
“That sounds horrid,” Madison whispered, no longer in a flirting mood.
“The worst nightmare a person could imagine.” Crosby sat forward, all his attention on Kennedy. “I had the right place, I know it. But Golly was gone, and so was his last victim.”
Kennedy said nothing, but her eyes went glassy with unshed tears.
Falling back on her training, Madison asked, “Did you check the yard? Sounds like old Golly might have a few bodies buried around the property.”
“Nothing at that house, but at another we found remains.”
Madison didn’t know how much longer Kennedy could hang on. She looked ready to implode, with fear, anger. Any minute now, Reyes would come crashing in and all hell would break loose. She would wait for him outside to warn him to behave, except that would mean leaving Kennedy alone with Crosby, and Reyes would be furious if she did that. If she took Kennedy with her, that would leave Crosby alone in Reyes’s house. Another sin in her brother’s eyes.
What to do?
“Tell me, Detective, when did you join the trafficking task force, and why were you tracking Golly in particular?” In her experience, most men enjoyed bragging. Not her brothers, not to strangers anyway, but for most other men it appeared to be a basic masculine trait.
Crosby surprised her silly by saying, “I’m not on a task force. My interest is personal, and you won’t distract me with your questions.” His smile looked the opposite of friendly, more like an issue of clear challenge. “I’d rather hear about you, your brothers and the head of it all, your father.”
