22. Kavanaugh

22

KAVANAUGH

As soon as we checked in, I texted Fox our room number. He sent back a list of emojis and texted his room number, which just happened to be right the fuck next to ours.

“Hey, uh…I’m gonna run down for ice!”

“Okay!” Isla called out from the other room.

We had a suite—courtesy of her clients, who not only flew her in, but were also putting her up in the hotel. It was a nice place, but I wasn’t here to relax. My focus was solely on keeping Isla safe. I grabbed the bucket and headed next door, knocking quietly.

“Did you see the size of the TV?” Fox asked excitedly. “Watching musicals is going to be so amazing.”

The door opened wider and Anna waved from behind him. “Hey, Kavanaugh.”

“Anna,” I said, bypassing Fox so we could shut the door. “How was the trip?”

“Good, if you like show tunes.”

“I don’t.”

“How’s Isla?”

My cheeks burned bright red as I remembered the incident in the airport. “I may have overreacted when they wanted to search her.”

“Does she suspect anything?” Fox asked, pulling a can of Spam out of his pocket and opening it up. Anna rolled her eyes as if this was perfectly normal, even if it was weird.

“She will soon if I can’t get my shit under control.”

“What about IKE? Any word from him?”

“He’s meeting me downstairs in ten.”

“Well, I would say you’re overreacting, but I have this,” Anna said, holding up her mangled hand. “If your gut is telling you something’s wrong, listen to it.”

See, if I had told Isla my gut was churning, she would have said I was making shit up. Anna understood, but I wouldn’t dare tell that to my girlfriend if I ever wanted to have sex again.

“So, what’s the plan?” Fox asked.

“Just keep close. Check out the hotel for me.”

“And me?” Anna asked.

I glanced at Fox, not sure what he wanted me to say. There was no way I was putting his wife in danger. “Uh…stick close by in case I need you to keep an eye on Isla. I can always say you’re out here for a job.”

She huffed, walking over to flop on the bed. “It would be easier if she already knew I was here. We could make plans to get together, and then it wouldn’t be like you were tagging along the whole trip.”

“Staggered protection,” I said, nodding at the idea. “It could work.”

“Of course, it could work. It will work if you would just step out of your own way.”

“Let me think on it.” I still wasn’t sure about leaving her alone. The whole thing felt hinky to me. “I don’t know how long I’ll be out. Keep an eye on Isla, and if she leaves, follow. Don’t let her out of your sight.”

“I’ll stick to her like onions on Funyuns,” Fox grinned.

I grimaced, but headed for the door. After grabbing ice, I slipped back into the room just as Isla was sinking into the couch with her laptop. “Preparing for the meeting?”

“Yeah, I want to do a little more market research before the meeting tomorrow.”

I nodded, checking my watch. “I’m gonna grab some food.”

“We just ate before the flight.”

“I know, but…I’ve got the munchies. Want anything?”

“No, I’m good.”

I walked over and kissed her, trying not to look too suspicious in my movements. Then I was out the door and heading to the lobby. IKE was lounging in the corner, pretending to read a paper. But I knew better. He was watching every single person coming and going. I kept walking, knowing he would catch up with me.

Shoving the door open to a coffee house down the block, I ordered a drink and then sat in the corner, waiting for IKE to join me. When he slid into the chair opposite me, he looked extremely pissed off.

“Do you want to tell me why I was summoned?”

“You got my messages. You know what I want.”

“Nothing to report,” he shrugged.

“Nothing? There’s no movement from Shawn?”

“The guy’s in the hospital. Not that I wouldn’t put it past him to go a step further, but for now, I think you’re good.”

“You think? That’s not good enough,” I said angrily.

“Shouldn’t you be back with OPS? Why don’t you ask your friends to put a detail on her.”

I gritted my teeth at the reminder. “I don’t work for OPS any longer.”

His eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Really.”

“I had a falling out with Cash.”

“Well, that doesn’t surprise me. He’s pissed at everyone these days. Me included,” he answered, his eyes wandering around the shop.

“Why you?”

His eyes turned hard as he faced me again. “Because I’m the one who pulled the trigger on Zavala.” He shifted in his seat. “Look, I’m only telling you this because Isla’s involved. You need to watch your back.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You haven’t been watching the news, have you?”

“Not really.”

His cool demeanor slipped slightly as he pulled out his phone and brought up a video from this morning.

“—fiancée is currently residing in their apartment in the city. She has not made a statement yet, but we expect one later today. The senator posted a brief statement on his campaign site early this morning.

Upon hearing this morning of my son’s broken engagement, I can only ask for privacy as we work through this issue as a family. As you know, Olivia is a much-loved member of this family. As for the other woman, I can only say the relationship is a horrible decision brought on by the enormous weight of the PTSD he suffers from. I vow to do my best for him and every veteran, ensuring they get the help they need. That is why it is so important to support my bill ? —“

“Turn it off,” I snapped, sitting back in my seat. “He didn’t wait to jump on that and spin it in his favor.”

“If you didn’t like that, you’re definitely not going to like what was released after that.”

I already knew whatever it was, it would be bad.

“A story about your brother’s accident was released with details about a coverup.”

“Fuck,” I sighed. “Cash.”

“You think Cash did this?”

I let out a humorless laugh. “He threatened me with it if I didn’t work with the senator again. I guess he went through with it.”

“The senator is going to say that whoever comes forward is lying. Deny, deny, deny. But you should know that all this crap is going to stir up trouble for you, and possibly Isla.”

“She’s got enough on her plate.”

“Listen,” he said, his tone turning serious. “You need to warn her about this. The last thing she needs is for someone to spot her—because they will fucking spot her when her picture’s released—and start talking shit to her. You know something like this can get out of control fast.”

“Why would they even care about her?” I asked, knowing it was a stupid question. I was in denial, and I knew it.

“Are you fucking kidding me? Kavanaugh, you’re the senator’s kid and he’s running for president. Anything you do affects him. His opponents will eat this up, and if going after Isla helps their numbers, they’ll do it in a heartbeat. Tell her what the fuck is going on before it’s too late.”

I couldn’t do that. Not yet, anyway. She had a big interview tomorrow. If I told her about it, it would shake her confidence. And even though I was suspicious of this company, I wouldn’t sabotage it for her.

“Thanks for the intel.” I started to stand when he grabbed my arm.

“Don’t be stupid about this.”

“Keep an eye out for Shawn. I have a feeling this isn’t over with him.”

“You have bigger problems than Shawn right now,” he warned.

Shaking him off, I left the coffee house and headed back to the hotel as quickly as possible. I didn’t care if there wasn’t currently any activity involving Isla. I knew a storm was coming. I just needed to be there to stop it.

Soft skin met my fingers as I slid my hand over Isla’s stomach, up to cup her breast. A whimper left her lips as I nipped at her ear, my erection digging into her perfect backside. I couldn’t get enough of this woman, always desperate to touch her. I couldn’t believe it when she waltzed back into my life. I just wished it had been better timing.

“Morning,” I grumbled as I pressed kisses to her shoulder.

“Didn’t get enough last night?” she murmured.

“Never.” My lips sucked her earlobe into my mouth, earning an approving throaty moan. Fuck, I would never get enough of bringing her pleasure.

“I have that interview.” Her breath hitched as I worked my fingers south, dipping between her legs where I found her wet and ready for me.

“Not for another three hours.” I swallowed her moans in a kiss as my fingers slid inside her, fucking her slowly.

“I need…”

“Tell me what you need.”

Her breath hitched and her legs widened for me. My fingers were sloppy with her wetness, and as much as I loved feeling her pussy wrapped around my fingers, I loved the taste of her even more.

“I—I need?—”

Knowing exactly what she needed, I maneuvered myself between her legs and inhaled the scent of her. She smelled like sex from our night of fucking. “Fuck, you smell good.”

“Kavanaugh,” she gasped as my tongue swiped over her beautiful lips. Thick and plump, she was ready for me. Her legs quivered around me as I licked and sucked every perfect inch of her pussy. Desperate for everything I could take, I wrapped my arms around her legs, gripping her to my face. She writhed around me, gasping and crying out for more.

“Kavanaugh, I need?—”

“Fuck, baby. Tell me what you need. Fucking yell it.”

It was only when my face was buried in her pussy that she finally told me.

“I need to get showered!”

Everything stopped for just a second. Fuck that. She could shower when I was done licking every inch of her sweet cunt. She cried out as I buried my tongue deep inside her, her fingers gripping my hair and tugging hard. Tears stung my eyes as I felt strands of hair being torn from my scalp.

She shuddered around me, her fingers holding a death grip on my hair until the waves of pleasure passed and she relaxed back into the bed. My head popped up and a grin split my face at the content look on her face.

“I should really be in the shower,” she mumbled.

“You could be.” I crawled up her body and settled my cock between her legs. I thrust inside her, eliciting a gasp from those sweet lips. “Or you could wrap your arms around me as I fuck you slow and deep.”

A smile spread across her face as I grabbed her hand and hauled her up until she was straddling my lap. Her arms wrapped around my neck and her lips skimmed over mine in a sweet kiss. Fuck, I was so in love with this woman.

My hips slowly worked up and down, my cock thrusting in and out in tandem with the movement of her hips. She made love to me, kissing me passionately and gliding her fingers over my skin, leaving tingles racing down my spine. I wouldn’t hold out much longer if she kept teasing me like this, seducing me with those eyes.

“Fuck, you’re so beautiful,” I murmured, sliding my hand around the back of her neck. Red tendrils of hair fell over her shoulder, falling against my skin and tickling my arm. My lips met hers in an urgent kiss, then my arms were banded around her back as I fucked my cock into her over and over, harder every time until she was calling out my name, her breath coming in rough pants as she pulled me flush against her.

I cried out as I came hard inside her, holding her to me as my entire body shook. Fuck, I felt like a woman, completely wrapped up in this person who looked at me like I was her fucking savior. Guilt poured through me as I thought of how undeserving I was to have a woman like her looking at me like that. I had lied to her, and I was still keeping things from her.

Tonight. I would fucking tell her everything tonight and end the secrets that were building between us. Because this woman was everything to me, and I couldn’t fucking lose her.

Those green eyes met mine in a sated smile and I opened my mouth to say the words, to finally tell her how much I loved her. I’d hedged around it before, but never actually said the words. But no matter how much I wanted to tell her, I couldn’t—no, I wouldn’t—do it until there were no more secrets between us.

So, instead, I kissed her on the lips and let my fingers trail down her spine again. “You’re going to be late if you don’t get in the shower.”

A flash of disappointment lit her eyes for only a moment before she kissed me and smiled. “I’m gonna nail this job.”

“I know you will.”

I smacked her ass as she hopped off the bed and strode to the bathroom. Once the door was shut, I shoved my fingers through my hair and sighed. No more secrets. No more fucking around. If I had any hope of holding onto her, I needed to be honest with her, even if I wasn’t sure about my suspicions.

I called down to the restaurant and placed an order for her, knowing if I didn’t, she wouldn’t eat a damn thing. I already knew she was nervous about the interview, but she needed to eat something so she didn’t pass out in the meeting. After that was done, I pulled out her interview outfit and made sure it was wrinkle-free. My years in the military and taking care of my uniform had prepared me for this moment.

I was hanging it up right as she stepped out of the bathroom. Her makeup was already done and her hair was hanging in curls around her shoulders. She didn’t need to do a single thing. She was so fucking beautiful just as she was.

“What are you doing?” she asked curiously.

“Breakfast has been ordered and your outfit is ironed and ready to go.”

She looked at me skeptically, walking over to the pants and blouse to inspect them. Then she turned to me with a raised brow. “How did you do that?”

“I do know how to use an iron,” I smirked. “It’s one of my many hidden talents.”

“Well, thank you very much.”

I pressed a kiss to her lips and smiled. “You’re welcome. Breakfast is on the way up. I’m going to take a shower. Make sure you eat something.”

“Yes, sir,” she chuckled.

“I won’t be long.”

I hurried off to the bathroom, making quick work of showering and shaving. As much as I didn’t want her to go on this interview, I also wouldn’t be the reason she didn’t get the job if it all turned out to be on the up and up. I even brought along a suit, sans the tie, just so I had the right look for her. I opened the door just as my phone pinged.

“Babe, did you eat?”

I snatched the phone and read the text from Fox, unable to believe what I was reading.

Were you aware your girlfriend left the building?

Is this an Elvis situation?

Following now.

I think she’s onto me. It could be the Funyuns.

Did you ever consider a Funyuns tracker? Tasty and discreet.

Stick with her.

I tossed my phone on the bed and hurried over to the closet, pulling out my suit. In no time, I was dressed and rushing out the door. I pulled up the tracking information on her phone and caught a cab. It was the only way I’d catch up to her at this point. Meanwhile, Fox was keeping me up to date.

Like I would lose her.

Stalking was my job for the first thirty years of my life.

I rolled my eyes as I stared out the window. My leg bounced like crazy as I waited impatiently for the driver to get me to the address. “Can you go any faster?”

“Sure. I’ll just hit the car in front of us and shove him off the road.”

I didn’t have time for his smartass comments. I needed to get to Isla before something happened. My phone buzzed again.

Um…say I lost her…

Fox!

Oh! There she is! That was a close one.

Do I need to remind you that this woman means everything to me?

Say no more, kemosabe.

Frustrated, I almost hopped out of the cab, certain I could outrun the traffic, but I knew that wasn’t true.

“How much farther?”

“Two blocks,” the driver grumbled.

She’s heading inside. Do I follow?

I’m almost there.

I grabbed some cash and tossed it at the driver as I bolted from the cab. I nearly got hit by another car that was pulling away from the curb. By the time I was rushing through the doors, I saw her across the lobby, getting onto an elevator with an older man.

“Hold the elevator!” I shouted, sliding in just as they started to close. The doors reopened and I turned to the man, grinning as I checked him out. There was something familiar about him. Maybe his face or just his stance. I couldn’t pinpoint it, but I didn’t like it.

“Kavanaugh, what are you doing here?” Isla said, chuckling lightly.

“I came for the interview.” It was always best to make everyone else think you were supposed to be there, so that’s what I did. “Brad Kavanaugh,” I said, holding out my hand to the man.

“Jerry Fowler. I wasn’t aware you were working on the project.”

I shrugged. “I’m really just her assistant. Anything she needs, I take care of.” I straightened and faced forward, my eyes tracking the movement as the man slid his finger over the lit-up number 23 and pressed the button for the 24 th floor.

We were the only three in the elevator. Why would the number 23 be pressed if he was taking us to 24? I didn’t like any of this, and if we weren’t about to go for the interview of a lifetime for Isla, I might pull her aside and yell at her for leaving without me.

When we reached the 23 rd floor, the doors opened, but there was no office space here. In fact, the whole place was a construction zone. Thick plastic hung from various parts of the ceiling, separating different areas. There were power tools laid out on work tables and spotlights set up all around. It was a fucking serial killer’s haven.

“This will be one of our office spaces when construction is done,” Jerry said smoothly. He stepped out, but as Isla took a step forward, I grabbed her arm and held her back. She scowled at me, but I didn’t give a shit. There was no way I was letting her go into a construction zone where anyone could be hiding.

“I think we’ll stay in here,” I smiled at him. “Safety protocols and all.”

“Of course,” he smiled, getting back on the elevator. “Our current offices are on 24.”

I could have sworn he gritted his teeth as he turned to face the doors again. However, it was hard to concentrate on Jerry when Isla was pinching the shit out of my arm, nearly breaking the skin through the fabric of my suit. Yep, she was pissed at me and wasn’t going to forgive me anytime soon. But at least she was alive.

However, my life expectancy was dwindling by the second.