by Jen Talty
“At least he has a good sense of direction,” Kick eased the truck out of the driveway as soon as he saw Trisha scurry from the side of the house to a large tree, her gun at the ready.
“Don’t push your luck, kid, because this conversation would be so different if the circumstances were changed, if you get my drift.” The playful tone in Bear’s voice trailed off. “Trisha just signaled me. I’ve got to go. Be safe and check in often, got it?”
“Got it.” Kick slid his phone into the holder sticking out from the dashboard.
“I’m shocked that Bear has any problem with direction,” Arny said. “When he was helping me out a few years back, he could find his way to anywhere just using a compass.”
The corner of Kick’s mouth turned upward. “Sometimes we all like to play pranks, and one day, I messed with Bear’s gadgets. We then bet him he couldn’t find his way from the remote cabin we were in up in Alaska to the extraction point. He got so lost, and we had to go save his sorry ass.”
“That’s kind of mean, but funny,” Arny said. “So, what does he have on you?” Arny shifted in his seat and stared at Kick with an arched brow.
“It’s nothing.” Kick gripped the steering wheel. He kept his focus on finding anything that looked out of the ordinary. So far, nothing. It felt too easy. “I need you to do me a favor. Every car we see, I need you to write the plate down and send it to Bear. We need to pay special attention to any car that stays behind us for more than five minutes.” What he really needed was to redirect any conversation away from him and Cassandra.
He looked over his shoulder. She’d been very quiet since Bear brought up the left articles of clothing.
Too quiet.
She gazed at him with red cheeks.
“But these roads can go on forever with no turns off,” Arny said. “And what about when we get on the highway?”
“If no one has followed us by that time, we will be home free.”
“How do you think they found us?” Arny asked.
“That’s the question of the hour.” Kick glanced in his rearview mirror just in time to see Trisha take down both men. He punched the gas and accelerated onto the main road. Not a single car in the area. That was good sign.
Or a bad sign.
“So, Hank tells me you’ve been working for him for the last year. How do you like it?” Arny shifted nervously in the passenger seat as his gaze darted to the side mirror.
“Not quite a year and while it’s not as fast-paced as the military, I’m enjoying the work.”
“I hear you have your own farm.” Arny lifted his phone, tapping on the screen as a car pulled in behind them.
“I do, and I breed horses.”
A woman with blonde hair sat in the driver’s seat with both hands gripping the steering wheel. She drove a little too close for Kick’s liking. He pushed the pedal, bringing his truck up to fifty-five. The speed limit was forty on the back roads, and the last thing Kick needed was to get pulled over.
“My daughter used to be one of the best horse trainers in all these parts. But she gave it up and took off to Florida,” Arny said with a tinge of sadness dribbling on each syllable. Kick had heard that very tone from all of his siblings when he chose not to return home. It didn’t matter that they supported him completely, they still missed him and wished he’d worked for the family business, breeding horses for them, instead of on his own.
The car behind bared to the left at the fork, heading south, where Kick went north. He let out a long breath, though he didn’t relax. Someone could still be out there, waiting to ambush them at the right time.
“Daddy. Do we have to rehash this? I like what I do. Being a parole officer is a very rewarding job.”
Kick covered his mouth, but it did nothing to stifle the laugh that bubbled up from his gut.
“What the hell is so funny about that?” Bolting upright, she tossed his hat to the floor as she leaned between the bucket seats.
“I know criminals can’t be fun to work with.” Kick caught her steely gaze in the rearview mirror. “An ungrateful lot they are.”
She cocked her head and curled her lip. He could have sworn she snarled. “You know, there are people out there trying to turn their life around, and I help them do that.”
“You could do that in Montana,” Arny said under his breath. “Certainly would make your mother happy.”
“Please don’t do that, Daddy. Guilt-tripping me isn’t fighting fair, especially now.”
Arny reached his arm into the back seat. “Baby girl, your mother and I are very proud of you, but we miss you. And with your brother gone, well, it would be nice to have you around more.”
“I’ve got three weeks’ vacation time coming. I told you I’d spend them here with you and Mom in a couple of months.” She leaned forward and rested her head on her father’s shoulder.
“And we always love it when you come home, it’s just that we’ve never understood why you had to leave Montana.”
“Monty,” she whispered. Her voice quivered.
It amazed Kick how well Cassandra was holding up considering the events of the last few days.
“I couldn’t stay because of him. I know you don’t understand that, but seeing the way he was living, Dad, me leaving was the best thing I could have done for myself.” She sniffled. “But it seems it just made things worse for Monty.”
“Oh, honey. You can’t hold yourself responsible for Monty’s mental illness issues. You leaving didn’t cause him to become a recluse, and as much as we loved that young man, we hated seeing what it did to you. If you had stayed, you would have tried to save him. We all would have. And he’s the only one who could save himself.”
Kick blinked. He wanted to pull Cassandra into his lap and hold her tight. If he could absorb every bad feeling she had, he’d do it in a second. In one night, she’d turned his world upside down. From the second he laid eyes on her, he’d been attracted. The more time he spent with her, the more he wanted to know every thought she had. Every dream. Every feeling. He wanted more than a few weeks of fun before going their separate ways.
He didn’t want separate at all. He wanted to find out if there could be something long term.
And that was the one thing he swore he’d never do again.
“I know, Daddy. I’m just so tired. First Karl and Asia, and now Monty.”
“Let it all out, baby girl,” Arny said, patting Cassandra’s head.
“I did that last night. I don’t have any tears left.”
Kirk’s phone buzzed in his lap, making him jump.
“You’re on speaker. What’s up?” he asked, clicking the speaker phone. He’d rather Arny and Cassandra hear things firsthand than have to explain later.
“I believe you’re all clear,” Bear said.
“And our friends?” Kick gunned the truck as he merged onto the highway. It would be a good three hours before they made it to Arny’s farm. Even if Bear was right, and no one was following them, he still needed to remain on high alert.
“They are currently tied up. I’m working on getting as much intel from them as possible while Trisha is still trying to crack Monty’s computer. Oh boy, she’s dropping every swear word known to man, and adding a few I’ve never heard. This Monty guy must have been a damn good hacker.”
“He was the best,” Cassandra said with a long sigh. “He didn’t deserve to die.”
“No, he didn’t.” Kick reached over his shoulder and grabbed her hand, giving it a good squeeze. “We’re going to find his killer and make them pay. Along with finding out what really happened with your brother and his wife.”
The next two hours on the road were passed in silence and that worked for Kick, especially when he glanced at the beautiful woman sleeping in the back seat. It had been a long night, and the crinkle in her forehead showed how much she needed to rest.
“I can tell you’re a good man,” Arny said out of the blue.
Kick swallowed his embarrassment. “Th
ank you, sir. But I’m just doing my job.”
“You put yourself in danger for a complete stranger.”
“That’s what I get paid to do.”
“You weren’t being paid when you showed up at Monty’s.”
Kick shrugged. He didn’t like being put on any kind of pedestal. His parents had raised him to live by the golden rule. His training in the military taught him that there are really bad people in this world, and defending the freedom this country provided became second nature. It’s what he lived for.
And now, all he wanted to do was protect those who needed his services.
Cassandra needed him.
Or maybe he needed her.
Chapter 7
Cassandra ran her fingers across the white and green quartz countertop in her parents’ massive kitchen. As a child, she had no idea the room was the size of an average apartment in New York City. Of course, she hadn’t a clue how truly wealthy her parents were until middle school. Nothing worse than kids not wanting to play with you because you had too much money.
She tapped her fingers and stared at the coffee maker. Its digital lights blinked three fifteen. Her father and Kick had been gone for the last three hours, leaving her alone with the housekeeper, the cook, and her mother’s personal assistant. All three wonderful people, but overbearing and full of too many questions.
And she had no answers.
Especially when it came to her love life and Kick.
“Hey, sweetheart,” her father said as he entered the kitchen from the living room. “How are you holding up?”
“I’m doing okay.” She poured two mugs of coffee. “Where’s Kick?”
“He’s in my office talking with his people while they tap into my security system.” Her father took a seat at the island, tossing his Stetson on the counter. “I was surprised to know his family owns a farm in Florida. Not far from where you live.”
“That’s what he told me.” So many things rattled around in her mind when it came to Kick. But two things stuck out like a sore thumb.
First, they hadn’t used a condom, and she wasn’t on the pill.
But second, and somewhat worse, she couldn’t help but wonder if her turning on her brother’s phone had clued the bad guys in to their location. As soon as she had five minutes alone with Kick, she’d have to tell him. Maybe it would help them figure out who the bad guys were.
“Any news on who those men were at the cabin?” she asked, cupping her mug with both hands. The warmth trickled from her skin to her stomach. Only it didn’t ease the tension knotted in all her muscles.
“He hasn’t said anything to me, but he wants me to head back to Hank’s for the night.” He ran a hand over his unshaven face. “Kick doesn’t think your mother should be here, and I need to be with her right now.”
“Oh, Daddy.” She set her coffee down and raced around to the other side of the counter. In her need to find the truth, she’d forgotten what all this must be doing to her folks. She wrapped her arms around her father’s strong shoulders. “I should have come straight home. I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be, baby.” He cupped her cheeks. “After reading the letter from your brother and listening to Kick, I understand why you went straight to Monty first. But now, we have to do whatever the Brotherhood Protectors tell us to do.”
She jerked her head back. Her father didn’t like it when someone else called the shots. He hated sitting on the sidelines. The last time he needed help, he nearly drove Bear crazy with his inability to follow direction.
He smoothed back her hair. “I know. That doesn’t sound like me, but I nearly died a few years ago. Thanks to people like Kick, I’m still here. We can’t bring your brother back, but we can keep ourselves safe.” He swiped at his eyes. “And if anything happened to you or your mother, I don’t know what I’d do.”
She choked back a sniffle. Seeing her father like this shattered her heart into tiny shards stabbing into her gut. He’d always been her rock. Her hero. He could do no wrong in her eyes, even when she’d been a teenager and he’d grounded her after she got caught sneaking out of the house.
Or should she say, back in the house.
“Why can’t Mom come back here?” she asked. Tears stung the corners of her eyes. “Why can’t we all be together here? Kick and his friends can keep us safe in our own home.” She couldn’t believe those words tumbled out of her mouth. It wasn’t that she didn’t think she needed protection. That would be stupid. But the real issue was she didn’t want to be alone with Kick for another night. She wouldn’t be able to restrain herself.
Using him again to help temper her aching heart wouldn’t be fair. It would only lead to hurt feelings and awkward mornings.
“Kick told me you two aren’t staying here.”
“What?” She blinked. “Then why are we here?”
“You’re going to check out the playhouse and pirate ship. After that, he said he’s taking you to a safe place until they catch whoever is after you.”
She shook her head. “No. No. I’m not sitting around doing nothing. I can help.”
Her father took her chin in his thumb and forefinger. “Pumpkin, you already have. But whoever these men are, they want you for some reason, and it’s best if you stay hidden in a safe place. Let Bear and his friends figure out the rest.”
“That’s just going to make me feel useless.”
“Trust me, I’ll have plenty for you to do,” Kick said as he strolled into the kitchen like he’d been there a million times. “Trisha was able to crack into Monty’s computer.”
“What’s on it?”
“Mostly stuff about his work. But we’ve got the files from the security cameras. The men she and Bear caught at the cabin are the same men that killed Monty,” Kick said.
“What about Asia’s and Karl’s emails?” she asked, handing Kick a hot cup of coffee.
He took it in his hand, letting his fingers linger against hers a little longer than what seemed appropriate. “Unfortunately, both accounts were deleted, and Trisha couldn’t find any copies of them. She’s still working on it, and she’s damn good at her job.”
“Seriously?” She slammed her cup on the counter, sending scalding coffee onto her arm. She ignored the sting. “How can that be? And by who? I mean, Monty said he had something.”
Kick rested his hand on her shoulder and squeezed.
If she was thinking clearly, she’d shrug it off, but instead she found herself leaning against his tall frame. He gave her the kind of comfort only old friends or lovers could offer.
Or maybe it was the kind of solace that came from sleeping with a stranger when her entire world had fallen apart.
“He might have, but Trish hasn’t found it yet. However, if it was on his computer, she’ll find it. She’s the best.”
“Monty was the best,” Cassandra mumbled.
Kick looped his arm around her waist. “I’m sure he was,” he whispered before pulling her into an intimate hug. His hands roamed her back, massaging her tense muscles.
Her father cleared his throat, and Kick stepped back, but not before his lips managed to brush against her temple.
Kick’s phone dinged.
“That’s Shamus and Clayton. One will take your father back to Hank’s, the other will stay here until we know it’s safe.”
“Where are we going?” She inched closer to her father, resting her hands on his broad shoulders. She didn’t want to leave his side. And if she was being totally honest with herself, all she wanted to do was wrap her arms around her mother and cry.
But that was going to have to wait.
“After checking out the playhouse, we’ll be heading to my farm to wait things out,” Kick said. “Mr. –”
“Call me Arny.”
Kick nodded. “Arny. I want us all out of here by dark. If I were the bad guys, this is the next place I’d come looking, so please go gather what you need now. My men are at the front door.”
Her father kiss
ed her cheek before disappearing down the hallway.
“You okay?” Kick asked, stepping in front of her. He rested his hands on her shoulders.
“I need to talk to you.” She swallowed.
“All right,” Kick said, taking her by the hand and tugging her toward the front of the house.
“Alone.”
He paused, glancing over his shoulder with an arched brow. “Okay. Give me five minutes.” With his fingers intertwined with hers, he pulled open the main door. “Cassandra, this is Clayton and Shamus.”
“Nice to meet you, ma’am,” one of the men stepped into the foyer.
“Clayton. The office is through the foyer and down the hall. Third door on the right. Everything you need is right there. Once Shamus and Arny are on their way, we’re going to head out to the playhouse. You’ll be able to see us on the security cameras.”
Clayton nodded.
“Where’s Arny?” the other man asked.
“Gathering some of his things. He’ll be right down.” Kick waved toward the stairs.
“I’ll wait by the car,” Shamus said with a nod before stepping onto the porch.
“We’re alone for a few minutes, so, what’s up?” Kick asked.
She took him by the hand and led him through the house to where her suitcase had been left. “Don’t be mad.”
“Sounds like I’m going to be royally pissed.”
“I didn’t want to say anything in front of my father because I didn’t want a lecture. Nor did I want to worry him unnecessarily, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t treat me like a child. I know I should have said something to you about this earlier.” She bent over, unzipping her suitcase and pulling out the smartphone. “This is my brother’s. It’s been off most of the time. But I had turned it on at the airport in Florida. I also turned it on right before you picked me up on the side of the road as well as right before you fished me out of the cold shower at the cabin.” She placed the cell in his hands.
He narrowed his eyes. “Shit,” he mumbled. “Clayton, get your ass out here.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think anyone would be tracking Karl’s phone.”
