“You wanted to talk?” Steele asked as he folded the kitchen towel perfectly and placed it neatly over the oven handle. He poured a cup of coffee and jerked his head toward the deck. I followed him out there, sinking my tired body into one of the plush deck chairs.
“It’s about Lanie.”
“Of course it is.” He smirked in that superior way of his that made me want to punch him in the mouth, but I didn’t. I needed his help. My glare didn’t deter him from more smirking. “Well, go ahead. What is it?”
With a sigh, I told him the entire story as Lanie had told me. He listened intently. His eyes widened when I told him her true identity; obviously, he was well aware of the press surrounding the disgraced congressman and missing senator’s daughter.
“That’s fucking incredible. Only you, Kaden, would hook up with a woman with more baggage than the belly of a 747.”
“Yeah, I know, but I love her, and she loves me. I don’t want her to have to run again, and I definitely want her safe. There has to be a solution.”
“You could marry her,” Steele said with total seriousness. I narrowed my eyes and studied him. He had to be joking. Marry her? When it came down to it, I barely knew her. Love was blind, but I wasn’t sure it was that blind. I hadn’t gotten to the point of thinking about weddings and babies and rocking on the back porch in our old age. At the stricken look on my, Steele threw back his head and laughed. “I’m joking. Don’t have a coronary.”
“Fuck you.” I glowered at him, causing him to laugh all the more.
“But as tied in knots as you are over that woman, I’m surprised you’re so mortified by my suggestion.”
“I’m not mortified. You caught me off guard.”
He shrugged indifferently, as if my horror was of no concern or not credible. I’d probably have to vote for not credible. But still, marriage? I wasn’t able to wrap my head around that one. I didn’t know that I’d ever be able to with any woman.
“You’re always acting all mysterious and knowledgeable about weird shit. What do you think?”
“Weird shit? What kind of weird shit?”
I wasn’t in the mood to elaborate, but knowing Steele, he wouldn’t move on until I did. “Shit like acting as if you know stuff, like you have connections, like you’re a spy or something.”
“Hardly a spy, but I might know someone who can help.”
“Who would that be?”
“My mom.”
“Your mom? I thought she was a high school teacher.”
“Nah, I said that to get you guys to stop being nosy about my family.”
“So what does she do?”
“She’s in security, I guess you could say.”
“No shit? She’s a cop?” I was blown away by this. Steele’s knowledge of certain things now made sense.
“Sort of. Let me talk to her.”
I gave him one of those looks, but he wasn’t forthcoming with additional information. “Any help is appreciated.”
“I also have an idea. It’s unorthodox, but it might work. I’d rather discuss it with you and Delaney after I run it by my mom.”
“She’s off work after four. We’ll discuss it over dinner.”
“You’re cooking?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t eat anything you cooked.”
“I make a mean frozen pizza.”
“When you don’t burn it.”
He grinned one of his rare grins, the kind that made him look five years younger. Maybe he always frowned in order to perpetuate the perception he was older than he actually was.
“Let’s go for a run. I need to burn off last night’s dinner,” he said.
“I already did.” I winked at him, and he glowered back at me.
“Dickhead. Rub it in.”
I laughed as he walked away and followed him. Running was a lot easier with another competitive guy to push me. I had a lot to think about, and a five-mile race with Steele might help clear my head.
Nothing was going to clear my heart though. It already knew where it wanted to be.
Chapter Seventeen
A Lot To Think About
~~Delaney~~
* * *
I’d lived this secret life so long, letting others in made me uncomfortable and vulnerable. Baring my secrets to Kaden was one thing. I trusted him, and I needed to unload on someone, and as he liked to remind me, he had broad shoulders. Kaden revealed my secrets to Steele, which pissed me off. What gave him the right? Now I had another person to worry about.
When he’d asked me to give him time to come up with a plan, I had no idea he planned on dragging Steele into this. I liked Steele. He seemed like a stand-up guy, but the fewer people who knew what was going on, the better and safer for all. Next thing I knew, he’d be telling his entire gang.
We’d gotten in a heated discussion about his big mouth and ended it with a make-out session in the lobby closet of the inn. I was an easy woman and obviously could be bought with promises of sex. Still irritated, I forgave him anyway. He was so fucking irresistible.
Kaden cooked a chicken on the barbecue, and I’d never tasted chicken that good. After Steele cleaned up, he joined us on the deck. I was avoiding wine tonight, but the guys were drinking beer. I’d had enough last night, and I wanted to be one-hundred-percent lucid to hear Steele’s plan.
What was I doing? Robert, one of my family’s most trusted allies, had suggested I run far and fast and secretly without informing my own family. And now after warning me of Darrin’s release, he was missing. How would Steele have more insight or knowledge into my predicament than Robert or I did?
“So after talking with my mom…” Steele began.
“Your mom? What does she have to do with this?” I was alarmed. Now his mother knew? How many other people were Kaden and Steele going to welcome into the fold? Why not invite the entire team to speculate on how to solve my dilemma? I wanted to rage at the two of them, but somehow I held my tongue and settled for a scathing glare.
Kaden read my distress loud and clear. He reached over and patted my hand. “Just hear him out, okay?”
I shot him a look of pure annoyance. He cringed, tossing an apologetic grimace my way. I turned back to Steele, levelling him with one of my deadliest glares.
Steele was undeterred. “Yes, my mom. She has some experience in this area.”
“This area? What is this area? Killing off witnesses? Political power and subterfuge? What exactly is this area?” My voice rose to a high, whiny pitch as I sought to control my temper.
“I’d tell you but that’d put you in more danger,” he stated with a totally straight face. I blinked several times, not certain where this guy was coming from.
“We’ve always speculated you were a spy, but it’s really your mother?” Kaden provided helpfully. I scowled at him, and he looked away quickly.
“The way I see it, you have two choices. Choice one: hide for the rest of Locklear’s life. Choice two: stand up and fight back. You’ve tried running and hiding. How has that been working for you?”
“I’m still alive,” I pointed out with my most deadpan expression.
Steele gave that deadpan expression right back to me. I was probably in over my head matching wits with this guy. He was an enigma, more suited to a regimented military position than a hockey player.
“What if you surfaced? Became visible? Made it harder for him to do harm to you without drawing massive attention to himself? Your disappearance was high-profile with your father being who he is. There’s been lots of speculation, but most believe you’re dead.”
“I don’t see how that would work.”
“You’d have Kaden at your side every step of the way. You two can become a power couple.”
Both Kaden and I gaped at him. “A power couple?” I said incredulously. What had this guy been smoking? Kaden was a rookie, and I was merely a senator’s daughter. We had some visibility, but nothing like being a power couple.
“My mother might h
elp. She can pave the way. She’s in DC most of the time nowadays anyway. You listened to a family friend who scared you into running. What if this friend was wrong? What if he was compromised and knew the case was shaky and wanted you to disappear?”
“He wouldn’t do that. He was in danger himself. I heard it in his voice.”
Steele raised a brow but didn’t dispute what I said. The skepticism was written all over his face though. “What if staying visible actually made you less vulnerable instead of more?”
“I don’t see how.”
“Most attacks happen in the dark. We keep you in the light. Figuratively speaking. Mom did some background research. Since they can’t locate the witnesses, the DC police are most likely not going to charge him again, aided by encouragement to drop the case from a few powerful people in DC. Your appearance won’t be enough for them to open the case. They need all the witnesses.”
“And you know this how?”
Steele’s gray eyes grew hooded. This guy was not going to reveal his sources. Who the hell was his mother anyway? “You’ll have to trust me.”
“Then he’ll never get prosecuted for murdering at least one, probably more, people.”
“He may not, but if they ever find the bodies…”
“I would love to see my parents. I miss them.” I thought I’d gotten used to the idea I might never see them again, but my throat closed up and words became impossible to speak.
“Isn’t that risky?” Kaden spoke for the first time. He grabbed my hand and squeezed. I wasn’t sure if he was comforting me or himself.
“It’s all risky. Hiding is risky. Becoming visible is risky. I’m giving you an option, but the decision is yours,” Steele said matter-of-factly.
“You don’t have to do this.” Kaden’s blue eyes were troubled. The conflict was displayed clearly within those depths. I was conflicted, too. I’d been running for so long without giving a thought to another option.
What if Robert was compromised? He’d been Darrin’s top aide in DC and his shadow almost to the point that his pandering to Robert had been pathetic. Robert had been involved in politics in DC for years. He’d been a true political animal and wielded his own kind of power, considering he wasn’t an elected politician. Yet my father had held the highest regard for Robert, even recommended him for the position with Darrin. Robert had been a trusted associate for years and a family friend.
Robert wasn’t compromised. I wouldn’t believe it. Steele didn’t understand the situation. As far as I knew, Robert was dead or deep in hiding.
I had a tough decision to make. On one hand, I’d have my life back, my family, and I’d have Kaden. Running was the most obvious choice to stay safe. Going where no one knew me, not contacting anyone from my prior life, including Kaden, saved not only me but them. Robert had suggested this course of action originally, and I’d followed it blindly. What if he’d been wrong or, even worse, compromised?
“If you stayed, we’d hire a bodyguard,” Kaden suggested with a tentative smile brimming with hope.
“I can’t afford a bodyguard.”
“I can and so can your parents. If the government won’t protect you, we will.”
My parents would be able to afford the necessary security. They had the means and the power to ensure I was safe. I’d known that before I’d run, but my father had been so unhappy with me for testifying against Darrin, a fact that surprised me to this day. My dad had gone against his own rigid ethics and begged me to lie for Darrin, he’d believed in him that much. He’d been angry and said hurtful things when I’d told him of my decision to be truthful.
My father.
The man I held in highest esteem.
His involvement in this mess confused me and flooded me with uncertainty. Everyone from my former life was suspect, even my beloved family members. How far would a person go to cover up explosively damaging secrets? Was my dad a party to all this? Or merely an unsuspecting pawn in Darrin’s sick game?
“Lanie, why don’t you take some time and think about everything?” Steele suggested.
“I need to. Alone.” I met Kaden’s gaze. He didn’t want us to be separated again, but he was willing to go along with it.
“As long as you don’t run away without saying goodbye.”
“I promise I’ll never leave again without an explanation.”
My words pacified him somewhat as he visibly relaxed and managed a worried smile.
I had a lot to think about.
Chapter Eighteen
Star Adjacent
~~Kaden~~
* * *
I walked Lanie to the inn. We kissed for several minutes before she pushed me away. I was reluctant to let her go for fear this might be the last time I saw her. Lanie was skittish at the best of times, and these times were the best and worst of times for both of us.
“If we keep this up, I’ll be inviting you inside.” She placed her hands on my chest and looked up at me. Her lips were swollen from my kisses, and the sight was the sexiest thing ever, in my opinion.
“That’s not a bad thing.” I grinned at her, and she, in typical Lanie fashion, rolled her eyes.
She patted my chest and shook her head. “I need to think things through. This is the biggest decision I’ve ever made. I’m tired of running, tired of losing everything I’ve worked for and lived for, yet I’m scared.”
“I understand. Anyone would be scared. I’m scared, too, for us, for you. I don’t want to influence your decision, but I can’t help trying. I hope you’ll forgive me.”
“I’ll always forgive you, but I’m the only one who can make this choice.”
“I hope you’ll choose not just me but your freedom. Running and hiding is no way to live your life. You abandoned your hopes and dreams, all those things you worked for, went to school for, fought for.” I pulled her in close and held her because I wasn’t good at picking the right words, especially ones that profoundly affected my heart. She hugged me tight, and we stood on the front porch like that for several minutes.
Finally, she released me, and I did the same.
“I did abandon that life. I’d wanted to do good in the world, to make my mark, to better people’s lives in some small or significant measure.”
“You want that life back?” A different kind of fear burrowed into the pit of my stomach. What if I wasn’t enough? What if she needed to be in the thick of things again? I was a simple hockey player, not an activist or a politician. I didn’t have the kind of platform she strove to develop.
Lanie put a finger to my lips. “You suddenly look so sad.”
I forced a smile. “I’m worried, that’s all.”
She held my gaze for a long moment. To my credit, I didn’t waver. The last thing I wanted was to influence her decision in a way she’d regret for the rest of her life. I hadn’t realized until a few minutes ago she had three choices, run, return to her old life, or stay and build a new life with me. Was that even feasible? I don’t think I would be able to walk away from the one thing I’d striven for my entire life. How could I expect her to do the same?
The troubled look in her eyes indicated I wasn’t doing a great job of hiding my feelings. “I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
She studied me, seemed to accept what I’d said, and backed a few steps away from me. “I need to go in.”
“When will I see you again?” The desperation in my voice came through loud and clear.
“I’ll contact you.”
I nodded.
“Good night, Kaden. Sweet dreams.” She turned to the door and entered, leaving me standing on the front porch, feeling bereft and hopeful at the same time.
I turned and walked back to the cottage. Steele waited for me, beer in hand. I gladly took it, and we sat on the deck chairs in silence. I leaned my head back and gazed at the stars overhead and recalled one clear night not that long ago when Lanie and I had sat on a bench near the Seattle waterfron
t and done just this.
Steele was a poor replacement for Lanie when it came to stargazing.
She’d pointed out one star and given me a rare glimpse of her childhood. She stargazed often with her father late at night when she’d been a young girl. He’d pointed to the star at the end of the Big Dipper’s handle and declared its name was Lanie’s Star. I didn’t have a fucking clue what that star was really called and never bothered to look it up. As far as I was concerned, it was Lanie’s Star and the one next to it was my star.
I’d never told her that I’d come to think of the star next to hers as mine because that’d bind us together forever. I hadn’t been willing to go that far back in the early days of our relationship. Now I might be.
We were on the precipice of a full-blown relationship. So far, I’d jumped off the deep end, forgotten my life jacket, and was swimming toward an island paradise, unmindful of the sharks infesting the waters ahead.
Life was scary as shit and twice as wonderful. Lanie had to decide if a life with love and freedom was worth the risk. I had to figure out how to keep her safe to the best of my ability.
“Am I being selfish by wanting her to choose freedom?” I mused out loud and jumped at the sound of my own voice.
“Maybe. A little. But a guy can’t help furthering his own agenda. You’re only human.”
“What would you do?”
“I’d let her choose whatever she wanted and support her as best I could.”
“Of course you would because you’re noble. I’m not.”
“You’re more noble than you give yourself credit for. Listen…” Steele sat up straighter and gave me one of his direct gazes, indicating he was about to impart more information than he usually did. “I’m not one to talk. I’ve known you most of your hockey career. We’ve played on the same teams or against each other. You were the horndog of all horndogs. Last fall, you turned into a different guy. You weren’t hooking up with random women. You still partied on road trips, but you went back to your hotel alone. Given the odd nature of your relationship with Delaney, it would’ve been easy to maintain other relationships on the side, but you didn’t. You were all in from day one.”
Playmaker Page 11
