Thanks to her he’d lost everything, including his life savings. Wasn’t it enough that he’d had to start over, that for weeks while hiding out he’d gone with little to eat?
By God, it should have been enough.
Yet every time she opened her damn mouth at a high school or college campus, she risked exposing him again.
“We’ll find her,” Golly said, despite all evidence to the contrary. “If it hadn’t been for that damned ape who came after her, we’d have her right now.”
Del liked the sound of that even more than her dying in her sleep. He’d get some payback on the bitch...and then she could die. He rubbed the snake tattoo on his neck and wondered why it felt like a tightening noose.
Twice, Kennedy had done this to him.
“Relax,” Golly ordered, his twisted smile full of anticipation. “I have a few street informants watching for her to pop up. She can’t lie low forever. Even if she tries that, eventually she’ll have another speaking gig and we’ll be able to grab her then. That, or else Jodi will lead us to her. She’s as good as yours.” He prodded his tongue through a hole where two teeth should be, repulsing Del. “And the other one will be mine.”
* * *
DRIVEN BY PRIDE—stupid, foolish pride—Kennedy continued stuffing her few belongings back into the suitcase.
She had to leave. Of course she did.
Reyes had made it clear that he didn’t want her here. She had no right to further disrupt his life. Not only that, but his sister made her uneasy. Madison was tall, slim, incredibly beautiful—just like her blasted brothers—and she was every bit as cocky, too. Maybe not with physical ability, but the woman understood her skill. A skill she had used without apology to invade Kennedy’s life.
Did the whole damn family have to be overachievers? Were they all lethal, even Madison?
She’d met Cade a few times at the gym, and it took no more than a single glance to know he owned any situation he was in. The man was even taller than Reyes, so he had to be six-five. His sweeping gaze missed nothing, and calm confidence could be his middle name.
Whereas Reyes was brash, Cade was quietly in control.
And Madison was cheerfully certain.
Who were they anyway?
The tap at the door made her stiffen. There’d been several times in her life when she’d been horribly lost. Very alone. Frantic and uncertain what to do.
This was quickly turning into another one.
Girding herself, she walked to the door and opened it with what she considered admirable nonchalance. “I’m almost done.”
His frowning gaze went over her and then to the bed, where her suitcase lay open. “Almost done with what?”
“Getting ready to leave.” The nervousness sounded in her tone, though not overly. “Would you like to drive me somewhere, or should I call...someone?” She had no idea who she could call.
A muscle ticked in his jaw. Stepping in, he filled the spare bedroom with his size, his presence, the sheer magnetism of him. “Let’s talk.”
“I don’t think so, Reyes. Truly, I appreciate all you’ve done. You’ve gone above and beyond, and it’s time I quit cowering and instead acted like an adult.”
Folding his arms, he leaned against the door frame. “Pretty sure you always act the adult. I’ve never seen otherwise. At least, not until shit went sideways, and you’re not equipped to deal with it, honey.”
“Yes, I know.” He was equipped, but also unwilling. “I’ll work it out.”
Not moving, he asked, “How?”
Why did he have to press her? Going back to her suitcase, she jammed in the overflowing clothes and started to zip it shut. “I’ll hire someone.”
“No.”
“No?” Temper spiking, she turned on him. “What do you mean, no? It’s not up to you.”
“Sure it is.” He pushed away from the door frame.
Oh, hell. Kennedy backed up, which effectively froze him in his tracks, at least for a few seconds.
Quickly recovering, he strode forward. “I would never hurt you, so don’t do that.”
“Then quit crowding me.” A dumb thing to say, since he was still a few feet away.
“This,” he bit out, leaning into her space until their noses almost touched, “is crowding you.”
His hazel eyes glittered gold, fascinating her. She put one hand flat to his chest and said succinctly, “Back off.”
To her surprise, he did, jerking around and running a hand over his hair. “You’re not going anywhere, all right? That’s just dumb.”
“You arrogant dick.”
He turned again, this time presenting a slow grin. “What did you call me?”
“You heard me well enough.” Where had she left her laptop? Her phone? “I know this is all a joke to you, and I’m aware I come off as less than savvy in dealing with the scum of the earth, but I’ve survived the horrors of trafficking, and I’ll figure this out, too. The almighty Reyes McKenzie can tell me goodbye with a clear conscience.”
Back to being the arrogant dick, he stared at her. “That’s even dumber than talking about leaving.”
For the love of... Taking a stance, she asked, “Which part?”
“All of it, but especially the part where I think you’re not savvy. Saying something dumb and being dumb are two very different things. Trust me, I have no illusions about your intelligence.”
Well, that was something at least. “Good. So you know I can deal with—”
“Nope.”
His attitude infuriated her, and she stayed chill only by an act of sheer willpower. She even got her stiff lips to smile. “Again, it’s not up to you.”
“We agree you’re smart, right? So,” he continued before she could say a single word, “a smart woman wouldn’t budge from where it’s safe.”
“Maybe not, but a proud woman wouldn’t stay where she’s not wanted.” She lifted her chin. Let him deal with that. “I clearly heard you say you could stick me somewhere safe. Let’s go with that.” She unfolded her arms to hold them out in concession. “I promise I will stay put. You won’t even have to twist my arm.”
Reyes worked his jaw. “Here’s the thing. You don’t really know what I want, since I didn’t know until just this second. All that bullshit earlier with my sister was just me blustering.” He moved in again, this time taking her shoulders.