“I can’t believe we’re going on vacation! The twins are going to be climbing up the walls till we leave,” she laughs. I just hope I can keep her safe until she leaves.
***
It’s been a long week since all the new revelations came to light. The day has finally come to send SJ and the children on their vacation. I’ve spent every night with them to keep an eye out and Logan has kept me updated on his end. It’s been confirmed that they’re coming after SJ, but Logan seems to think it won’t be for a little while now that they know I’m her bodyguard.
All the residents are staying in a hotel in Brentwood except SJ, Rita, and the children. I hoped to send Claire with her children too, but she was just too frightened to be in an unknown place with her ex husband still looking for her, so she is now staying in one of my condos. It’s a high security complex, no one will get in that building and all the staff are to say they don’t know her if someone should ask for her.
I’ve been to see every tenant individually to make sure I know what’s being kept and what can be thrown out. To be honest the majority of them probably only have one box of things they want to keep. I went to see one elderly lady and the only thing she was keeping was a wedding photo of her and her husband and a few items of clothing. I would have liked to have known her story. After a life as long as hers, the only item of value to her is a photo. It kind of puts everything into perspective. I rented two storage spaces thinking we would need both but we didn’t.
SJ has come into the office with me today, she’s just double checking all the information I have on the residents so I can book them into the hotel. I’ve hired two buses to drive them down to Brentwood. SJ, Rita, and the children will be flying to North Carolina, a car will take them to the airport and I’ve arranged a car service for them to use whenever they please while they’re there.
We step out of the elevator on my office floor after coming back from lunch. The first thing I notice is Debbie isn’t at her desk and the second is that my office door is open.
“Stay behind me?” I whisper to SJ.
“Caleb, what the hell?” she yells back in a whisper.
“It’s probably nothing, but I’d rather be careful,” I tell her as I peek into my office and relax as soon as I see the blond movie star sitting on a couch with his feet up on the coffee table, charming Debbie.
“Leave my receptionist alone,” I say as I enter. The gentleman stands and comes toward me. “Cain Cunningham, what are you doing here?”
We hug and he pulls away. “I need a favor,” he says, giving me one of his A-list celebrity smiles. I met Cain about five weeks ago at Edward and Dana’s wedding and then again when we were in New York helping my best friend, take down his father. He’s a pain in the ass, but I gained a new found respect for the man in front of me when he risked his life to save Edward’s wife, Dana. When the Daylight building exploded, we thought he was dead, but he figured out Edward’s father was using stage props. If I had taken Dana’s spot instead of him, I would be dead.
“I suppose I kind of owe you one,” I chuckle.
“And who are you?” He turns his attention to SJ.
“Sarah-Jayne, my friends call me SJ, you can call me whatever you want,” she mumbles, completely star struck.
“You made me call you Miss Tanner. How comes he gets to call you anything?” I ask her.
“You were the asshole kicking us out of our home, he is a movie star,” she answers simply.
“It’s okay, he’s just jealous, he kind of owes me his life,” Cain woes her.
“Really?” SJ furrows her brow. “Why?”
“When we were in New York helping my friend—”
“The one with the dead living relative and crazy father?” she interrupts to ask.
“Yep, anyway we were in charge of rescuing his wife and I thought I’d already sealed my fate. I knew that when we went in to get Dana one of us wasn’t coming out. Cain decided I was needed more than he was and jumped in before I could. Luckily Cain got out alive, I wouldn’t have,” I tell her, and watch this new piece of information cause an almost painful expression on her face.
“It’s because I’m a clever fuck and figured out the trap.” Cain chuckles to lighten the mood.
“I don’t think I had a chance to thank you for that, so how can I help?” I ask.
“I need a place to crash and lay low. I also need the best bodyguards and protection money can buy,” he says and then gives me a small smile. “I’m coming out.”
“Really? Why now?” I ask.
“Do you remember Dana’s big speech after she injected Michael with the snake venom, when she was accusing all of us of pretending to be something we’re not?” he answers. “She’s right, I used her so the media wouldn’t suspect I was gay.”
“You’re gay!” SJ yells out in shock as both Cain and I raise our eyebrows at her. “Sorry, there’s nothing wrong with being gay, it just came as a surprise.”
We both laugh when her cheeks heat with embarrassment. I then turn my attention to Cain. “You can stay at my place in the Palisades. I’ll speak to Grayson about a bodyguard or two.”
“Thank you,” Cain replies sincerely.
“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” I ask.
“Yep, I’m one hundred percent sure I need to do this,” he answers.
“You know where I am if you need anything.”
“Thanks Caleb, that means a lot.”
“You two are like a pair of mushy girls,” SJ jokes.
“Come on you, I need to get you to the airport,” I say to SJ. “Cain, I’ll tell Debbie to give you the spare key and I’ll be back later. How about some beer and a game of pool?”
“Hell, yes. See you later SJ,” Cain says.
Hopefully I can talk Cain into helping me with Vitale. An extra pair of hands never hurt. I just wish Edward was here too.
“You didn’t tell me you knew Cain Cunningham,” SJ says accusingly the second we leave the room.
“I only met him a couple of times. He’s Dana’s friend, Edward just kind of puts up with him.”
“He saved your life and you didn’t think he was worth a mention?”
“I honestly didn’t think about it. I’ve been pretty busy with you.” I chuckle.
“Shut up.” She laughs and playfully pushes me. “So how many other celebs do you know?”
“It depends on who you class as a ‘celeb,’” I reply using air quotes. I’ve been spending way too much time with Grayson, now I’m mimicking him.
“Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt.” She gesticulates with her hand.
“I dine with Brangelina all the time,” I say sarcastically.
“I’ll take that as a no then.” She laughs. God I’m going to miss this woman while she’s gone. Hopefully she won’t hate me too much when she gets back. “Hey, where’d you go?”
“Sorry, I was just thinking about how much I’m going to miss you,” I say without thinking and then close my eyes at my admission. Wow could you sound anymore like a girl?
“I’m going to miss you too,” she tells me and I don’t feel so silly admitting that anymore.
“Let’s get you to the airport.” I smile. “The next time you go on vacation it will be me, you, and the twins.”
“I look forward to it.” She grins.
Chapter 15
“This is my first time on a plane,” Rita tells me.
“Mine too. Are you nervous?” I ask.
“Are you?”
“I’m shitting myself,” I chuckle.
“Glad I’m not the only one,” she replies.
We’re only on the plane for about an hour and a half, but it felt so much longer. I spent the trip praying we wouldn’t die and when we landed, I wanted nothing more than to make out with the tarmac. I think I’ll ask Caleb if we can just drive back. I’d rather suffer six hours in a car that’s on the ground than going five hundred miles per hour in a tin can that’s flying a mile above the ground.
“That was so cool,” Raj raves, causing Mitch to join in.
“I want go on a plane again,” Mitch squeals.
“That’s not very likely kiddo,” I mutter quietly to myself.
We meet the car outside the airport and start the twenty minute drive to our resort. I’m really impressed with how well the twins are behaving. I kind of expected them to be bouncing around and over-excited. This is the first time they’ve left DC, so it’s got to be a little overwhelming. I mean sure, we’ve ventured over the state line into Maryland but only to go to the store. I can’t believe Caleb has done this for us, even if a small voice is telling me he’s hiding something from me. Why send me and Rita away and just put everyone else up in a hotel? Maybe he’s just being nice and knew we could do with a vacation, but that could have waited until after the restoration.
I think about our home again, the place that up until a few days ago I thought I was going to lose. The twins will stay with me now, since they have no reason to take them away. Mike Davis has done a damn fine job representing me and he has assured me that as long as we have a roof over our heads and the children are properly provided for, family services have no reason to come and take the children.
During the last week, Caleb and I discussed the twins. I think he understands now why I had to keep my secret. Though I could see the deep hurt in his eyes. I hate that I did that to him, but now it’s out in the open, and I feel strangely lighter.
Ken’s death still haunts me. Caleb confirmed that his body was cremated. Although we couldn’t have a proper funeral, we had our own little memorial. Caleb brought me a plain heart shaped helium balloon and I wrote a message to my dad on it with a memory of the good times we had. I didn’t want to think about when it all went downhill—not when I was trying to celebrate his life. I stood outside and said a few words before letting the balloon go, watching it disappear into the sky. I cried so hard that night and I think it really helped me start the grieving process. Although every now and then I get a little stab of guilt when I think about not having to deal with him or Jake anymore.
“We’re here!” Rita exclaims. I don’t think I’ve ever seen my friend so excited before. This is her first vacation since her husband died. It would have been great if Claire had come, but I understand her reluctance. Like me, she thinks things are just a little bit too good to be true right now. We’re waiting for our bubbles to pop and to come crashing back down to earth.
After we’ve settled ourselves in, I call Caleb. It’s a little late to go out exploring so we ordered in pizza, deciding an early night would be great after such a long day.
“Hey baby, how are things?” Caleb asks when he answers.
“I’m just letting you know we’ve arrived,” I say.
“Oh baby, I miss you so much,” I hear Cain in the background.
“Remind me why I’m letting you stay here again?” Caleb responds.
“Because I saved your life.” Cain chuckles. “You know you love me, man.”
Caleb starts laughing and I notice there’s a slight slur to his voice. “Are you drunk?” I ask.
“Nope, I’m happy,” he replies.
“Drunk then,” I laugh. “Enjoy your evening, I was just letting you know we’re here. Thank you so much for this.”
“You’re more than welcome, SJ. I love you.” The emotion in his voice so raw and strong.
“I love you too,” I reply, grinning like a school girl.
***
“Mom! Mommy, wake up!” I’m being shaken from my deep slumber and I’m not too happy about it. My dreams are filled with the man I’ve fallen in love with and the bad feeling still lingering that something is going to go wrong. I would like to enjoy my perfect dream for a moment longer. “Mommy!”
“Or not,” I mutter.
“What?” Mitch asks.
“Never mind, what time is it?”
“Seven, we slept in,” he says in complete astonishment.
“I love that you think seven a.m. is sleeping in,” I mutter with my eyes still closed. “When you’re a teenager, I’m going to stand in your room at this time in the morning and tell you we’ve overslept.”
“I like being awake. Being asleep is boring,” Mitch argues.
“You won’t in eight years from now.” I chuckle and finally pull myself to a sitting position.
“I want to go swimming,” he says sternly.
“You don’t speak to me like that,” I warn him. “You’ll eat breakfast, brush your teeth, get washed and dressed and then I’ll let you know if we can go swimming.”
“Okay,” he pouts.
“And use your manners next time,” I point out.
“Yes, Mom,” he responds and heads to the table.
The rest of the children join the table one by one. Rita went to the shop in the resort and got some bread, milk, butter and coffee, plus a few other essentials.
“This is paradise,” Rita says to me as we butter toast and make coffee.
“Yeah,” I reply half heartedly.
“What’s wrong?” she asks.
“I just keep getting this odd feeling, you know?” I say, trying to explain what I’m feeling. “I just can’t shake this odd feeling that something is wrong or going to go wrong.”
“SJ, it’s normal to feel like that. You’re so used to everything being rock bottom that it’s hard for you to accept that things might be getting better,” she says. I want to believe her, but I’m finding it hard. “When I managed to escape my captivity, I couldn’t quite wrap my head around the fact that I had my children, a new home, and a new friend. I understand how you feel. Try to enjoy it.”
“Thank you, Rita.” I embrace my friend.
“Beside you’ll be the wife of a millionaire soon, no more money worries for you.” I laugh at her assumption.
“Billionaire,” I correct her through my laughter. “And that isn’t going to happen.”
“He said he loves you, right?” she asks and I nod. “Caleb doesn’t strike me as the sort of man to throw the L word around.”
“I love him too,” I admit. “I’m so scared of getting my heart broken. And not just mine, Maddie and Mitch are getting attached to him too.”
“How does he feel about you having children too?”
“He knows the truth now, I hate the fact that he thinks I deceived him but he says he understands why I didn’t say anything. Whenever he suggests doing something, he always suggests kid friendly places and always includes the twins in any plans he makes.”
“He’ll be a great role model for them. That much I can tell,” she says with a knowing grin.
“Put your plates in the sink and then get your swimming clothes on, I think it’s time we take advantage of this beautiful weather,” I say to the children and watch them scarf down the last of their toast.
***
We’ve been here a week now and the children are having the time of their lives. I still can’t shake that nagging feeling though. Plus now I feel like someone is watching us. There’s a man staying here, he’s about six foot three and is a solid lump of muscle. I catch him watching us from the pool bar from time to time. I try to ignore him but my gut instinct tells me there’s something off about him.
“You’re too paranoid, what’s gotten into you?” Rita asks. “Maybe he’s attracted to you but thinks you’re married because you have children.”
“You think?” I ask unsure.
“Yes, he probably thinks you’re one of those kept women, whose husband sets the wife and kids up in a hotel while he’s here on business,” she says and I burst out laughing. “Or maybe he thinks he has a shot with you because he hasn’t seen the husband with you all week and assumes he’s at the office banging his secretary. Or maybe—”
“Okay, enough,” I manage to say though the fits of laughter. “You’ve made your point.”
“Good, not everyone is out to get you, SJ. I know I didn’t like Caleb before, but that was when he was Mr.
Slate and I didn’t know him. I see the way he looks at you. I’ll admit it worried me a bit to begin with, but he’s so clearly head over heels in love with you,” she says. She’s right, Caleb has never asked a thing of me yet he’s done so much for me and the twins.
“Thanks Rita, I’m so glad I have a friend like you.”
“So you should be,” she feigns seriousness. “Now call your man and tell him how much you love him, but do it at the pool bar so Mr. Creepy knows you’re unavailable.”
I laugh as I take out my phone. I’m not going to the pool bar to make this call, but the idea has me chuckling.
“Now what do you find so funny,” Caleb says when he answers.
“Nothing, Rita is just making jokes,” I tell him.
“Rita tells jokes?” he asks sarcastically.
“I heard that Mr. Slate. I will stop liking you again,” Rita says from beside me.
“You break my heart, Rita,” Caleb sighs causing Rita to scoff.
“I was just calling to see how everything is going?” I ask.
“All good this end,” he says a little too cheerful and quickly for my liking.
“You sure?”
“Yes,” he says, dragging out the word. “How’s your vacation?”
I go on to tell him about everything we’ve done at the resort and I reluctantly tell him about the man at the bar. Thankfully he laughs when I tell him what Rita said.
“It’s a good job Rita is there, I know you’re in safe hands,” he jokes.
“Flattery will get you nowhere, Mr. Slate,” Rita shouts back.
“It was worth a shot.” He laughs and then proceeds to tell me that Cain is working his way through his drink cabinet and is now starting on his whiskey. “Anyway, I’ve got to get going, I’ll speak to you later. I love you,” he says before hanging up.
I needed that call to Caleb. I’m feeling a lot calmer now. I just wish I could shake this bad feeling.
Chapter 16
“Wake up!” the words come from the very muscular man looming over me.
Caleb (The Unseen Series Book 1) Page 17
