Then Todd opens his mouth and proves that his survival up till now has been completely accidental. “If someone broke intoyour house and you’re being threatened, shouldn’t we call the cops?”
Every man in the room turns to stare at Todd again. The silence is so thick you could cut it with a knife. Todd looks around, finally registering the universal reaction his suggestion has received.
“On second thought,” he says weakly, “I’m sure these fine gentlemen have things under control.”
Smart man.
Kayla picks up her overnight bags, and Sledge retrieves the cat carriers. They head toward the hallway that leads to the guest rooms, including the one where Kayla spent last night. I move to follow them, wanting to make sure Kayla settles in okay, to check if she needs anything, to just be near her for a few more minutes.
Dragon’s hand on my shoulder stops me. “My office,” he says quietly. “Now.”
I glance longingly after Kayla’s retreating form, but I know better than to argue with Dragon when he uses that tone. I nod reluctantly.
Todd also moves to follow Kayla, but before he can, Gigi materializes at his side and leads him away with a firm hand on his elbow. “You seem like a very nice young man,” she’s saying, her voice sweet but brooking no argument. “You should come have a cup of tea with me. I’ll take a look at that eye, and I’ll explain some things.”
Todd allows himself to be led away, looking like a man walking to his own execution. Gigi might be small and old, but there‘s something in her manner that makes even the toughest bikers think twice before crossing her.
Molly approaches Dragon and me, her blonde hair bouncing with each step. She casts a dismissive glance in the direction Gigi and Todd disappeared.
“The boy scout isn’t going to last a week here,” she says matter-of-factly.
Dragon shoots his sister a look that would make most men quake. Molly just rolls her eyes.
“I’m making it your job to see that he does,” Dragon tells her, his voice indicating this isn’t a request.
Molly’s eyes narrow dangerously. “Why me?” she demands. “I’m no babysitter. Kayla can take care of her own boyfriend.”
“Because I said so,” Dragon replies evenly. “And because you brought him here.”
“I didn‘t bring him here because I wanted him here!” Molly protests. “He walked in on us packing up Kayla’s things. I just didn’t let Sledge and Twister kill him.”
“Exactly,” Dragon says. “Your catch, your responsibility.”
Molly glares at her brother for a long moment, then stomps off, muttering something under her breath that sounds suspiciously like a creative string of curses.
Dragon turns to me, gesturing toward the hallway that leads to his office. I follow him, my mind still churning with the image of Kayla’s hands on Todd’s face, the obvious intimacy between them. It’s going to be a long, however-long-it-takes, to deal with Naomi and make Kayla safe again.
And every minute of it, I’ll have to watch Kayla with another man and pretend it doesn’t tear me apart.
30
Chapter 30
Kayla
Kayla
Unzipping the overnight bag Molly packed for me, I empty it onto the bed. T-shirts, jeans, underwear, pajamas, it all tumbles out into a disorganized heap. The speed at which my life has changed is slightly dizzying. Just a few days ago the only thing I had to worry about was whether Todd was getting too serious too fast. Now I’m hiding from hitmen, reunited with my ex-husband, and living under the same roof as the man who once kidnapped me.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out to see three missed calls from my boss, Cassie. With a groan, I sit heavily on the edge of the bed. I forgot to call her this morning. I was supposed to be meeting with the Buckleys this morning to start planning their new landscaping. Quickly I reply:
Had a sudden family emergency. Need to take unexpected leave.
The reply comes almost immediately:
Everything ok? You need anything?
I stare at her message, my thumbs hovering over the keyboard. What am I supposed to say?Sorry, can’t come to work because my ex-husband’s crazy wannabe girlfriend wants me dead? Or maybe:In hiding because someone broke into my house to kill me?