Chapter 10

CHAPTERTEN

A week had passed since Khloe had her girls’ night, and since Raiden had told his friends all about what was going on with her. They weren’t happy—which was an understatement. And they’d vowed to do whatever it took to keep Khloe safe.

It shouldn’t have surprised Raid that his friends had immediately asked a million questions about Khloe’s safety instead of concentrating on the possible threat to their own women. Talk had definitely turned to that, but first, they wanted to discuss how to help Khloe.

It was no wonder Raid enjoyed being in Fallport and working with these men. They reminded him of Finn Matlick, a man he’d worked with in the Coast Guard. Raid and Tonka, as he went by, had partnered together more often than not. Their dogs were just as close. They worked like a well-oiled machine…until that awful day.

Forcing himself to think about something other than his old friend, Raid watched Khloe from behind the circulation counter at the library. She was helping a woman find appropriate books for her teenage daughter.

He could tell she’d been on edge and worried since the day of Jason Mather’s visit. The waiting was almost worse than just dealing with whatever the Mather brothers might have planned. And after some research of his own, Raid had no doubt they weren’t going to leave Khloe alone without some encouragement. That was where he came in.

Raid had already contacted a few people he knew from his time in the military who might be able to help. Not only that, but Ethan said he knew a man named Tex, a fellow former SEAL, who was an expert at all things electronic. He could apparently destroy the brothers with a few strokes of his keyboard. There was also a guy out in Colorado who was happy to help, as well. His specialty was sex trafficking, but he knew an awful lot of people, pretty much everywhere.

Raid wanted to make sure Alan Mather got the message that he should forget Khloe, do his time, and move on with his life. If he didn’t? Well, that would be his biggest mistake.

But the more immediate concern was Jason and Scott…that was the youngest brother’s name. He was definitely here in Fallport, as well. Drew had reported seeing the man the other day. He’d been casing the square and watching the comings and goings.

The ladies had come away from their girls’ night with Khloe all fired up and ready to do what they could to make sure the people of Fallport knew what was going on. And so far, their plan to spread information around town about Khloe and her situation had worked like a charm. Almost everyone who came into the library made a beeline for Khloe and commiserated with her about what she’d been through. They’d made it more than clear that anyone who caused trouble for one of their own would rue the day.

It would’ve been funny if the situation hadn’t been about Khloe. Raid could see the toll the situation was taking on her. She hated being talked about. Hated being the center of attention. She didn’t like people pitying her about her leg and wanting details about what happened.

Raid had no pity for Khloe. How could he? She was one of the strongest women he’d ever met. He’d read the court documents word for word. Could envision how hard she’d fought to learn to walk again, and how hard the entire ordeal had been for her. He didn’t have audio of the trial, but from the transcripts, he knew the judge had been concerned when Khloe talked about walking away from her vet clinic and everything she’d worked so hard to accomplish.

The more Raid learned about Khloe, the more he liked her. But he had no idea how to move their relationship forward. He’d been her boss for so long, and had acted more like an annoying big brother than a man who might have romantic feelings, that he was clueless about how to make her see him in a different light.

She’d insisted on going back to her apartment, which did not make Raid happy. He couldn’t help but worry about Jason or Scott cornering her there. About what they might do when she was alone. So he insisted on picking her up in the mornings and taking her home at the end of the day.

It also made him feel just a little better that their friends were taking turns spending the evenings with her.

One night, Lilly and Ethan had brought pizza and stayed until past eleven. Another evening, Finley and Brock had arrived with the ingredients to make cookies. Heather and Tal had shown up the next night to visit. And so it went.

Raid didn’t resent his friends for getting one-on-one time with Khloe…but he was jealous. Yes, he had the entire day to be around her, but it wasn’t the same as it had been when they were alone in his house.

And that was another thing. Now his house, which used to be his sanctuary, felt too empty. Raiden had a feeling Duke felt the same way. The bloodhound was restless, and more often than not preferred to sleep in the guest room on the bed Khloe had used.

Raid missed her. And as someone who enjoyed his own company and had no problem entertaining himself, that was saying something.

Today was Friday, and Raid knew Caryn and Drew were going to go to Khloe’s apartment and bring a movie. He would’ve asked if she wanted to come hang out with him and Duke, but he had plans for that evening. Every Friday night he did the same thing…as long as he wasn’t on a search.

But first thing Saturday, he was going to get up the nerve to see if Khloe wanted to hang out. Maybe she’d want to go with him and Duke as they took a walk in the woods. Duke had healed enough to start some short hikes. He needed to start his scent-tracking training once more.

“Raid?”

Her voice startled Raid enough that he jerked. He’d been lost in his head, and obviously Khloe was finished with helping the woman.

“Sorry, yeah?”

“Are you okay?”

He wanted to snort. He should be asking her that.

“Of course. Are you?”

“Yeah. I just…I hate the waiting thing. I saw Jason out in The Circle this morning. He was just sitting in the gazebo. He wanted me to know he was there. I wish they’d just do whatever it is they’re going to do already.”

“Yeah. But their waiting and watching works in our favor. By now, most of the townspeople know about them and their intentions. When they do decide to strike, they’re going to be in for a rude awakening.”

Khloe nodded, but Raid could tell she wasn’t so sure about that. She’d see. Raid had no doubt Fallport would come through for her in typical small-town style.

“I wanted to ask you something,” Khloe said then. She was leaning against the desk, and he thought she looked especially good. Instead of being pulled back, her silky light brown hair was loose around her shoulders. She wore an entirely appropriate blue blouse that buttoned up the front and a pair of tan slacks. But the shirt framed her chest just right, making Raid’s mouth water, and the pants hugged her gorgeous ass. He swore every time he saw her, she got prettier.

When she raised a brow in question, Raid mentally smacked himself upside the head. “Yeah? Shoot,” he said belatedly.

Then she shocked the shit out of him by saying, “I was wondering if you’d want to come up when you took me home today. I know Caryn and Drew were going to come over with a movie, but I’m not sure I’m up to entertaining anyone tonight. So I thought maybe the two of us—well, three, including Duke—could hang out and watch some more of those baking shows we started when I stayed with you.”

Raid stared at her for a long moment. Shit, was she asking him out? He wanted to say yes. So damn bad. But he couldn’t miss his Friday night thing for a second week in a row.

He was also shocked and thrilled she’d had the nerve to ask him for a date. She was much braver than he was. Hell, everyone was braver than him when it came to relationship stuff.

He was obviously quiet too long, because her gaze dropped and she looked at the floor while saying, “Sorry, it was a stupid idea. I’m sure you’re busy. Not a big deal.”

But it was a big deal, and the last thing Raid wanted was for Khloe to feel awkward or stupid about asking him out. He stood up so fast his chair almost crashed to the floor behind him. He strode around the desk and stood in front of her. He didn’t know what to do with his hands. If he should touch her or what. He was also well aware they were at work and there were people milling around in the library.

He settled for reaching for her hand. He held it tightly as he willed her to look up at him. “It’s not that I don’t want to spend the evening with you,” he told her. “I do. Shit, I’ve missed not having you in my house this past week. It’s just…I have something I have to do tonight.”

“It’s okay. I understand.”

“I doubt it. But can I have a rain check? I was going to ask if you wanted to come with me and Duke to walk the Fallport Creek Trail tomorrow. I know it’s super easy, only a mile, but you said it would be okay to start Duke training again, so I thought since it’s supposed to be nice out, not too cold, it would be good to get outside. Then maybe after we can go grab something to eat at the diner, and go see Finley, and if you wanted, you could come back to my place and we could hang out and watch some of those shows.”

He was babbling, but Raid couldn’t help it. He’d never been good at this kind of thing, asking women out.

“That sounds good. Duke’s healing really well and it’ll do him good to get out. He’s been a bit restless lately.”

Raid let out the breath he’d been holding.

“You have a hot date tonight?” she asked, and the tension Raid had just released returned.

“What? No!” he said a little too loudly. He definitely didn’t want her to think he was dating someone other than her.

She chuckled. “I was kidding,” she told him with a small smile. “But now I’m curious.”

Shit, he wasn’t ready for Khloe to know what he did on Friday nights. Not this early in their relationship. Eventually, yes, but not yet. He tried to think of something to say that would assuage her curiosity, but didn’t want to lie to her either.

She let him off the hook by saying, “I’m gonna go and see if I can get the books that were returned this morning logged in and back on the shelves before it’s time to leave. Anything else you need me to do?”

“No, I don’t think so.”

“Okay. Raid?”

“Yeah?”

“You need to let go of my hand so I can do that.”

Jeez, Raid hadn’t even realized he was still holding onto her. It felt so good and natural to have her hand in his. He quickly loosened his fingers, and she squeezed him once more before she dropped her hand and turned to go.

He stared after her for a long moment.

He was an idiot. It was no wonder he was still single. He was so awkward around women he liked. Always had been. He was like the fifth-grade boy Khloe had accused him of being, picking on the girl because he knew no other way to let her know he liked her.

Shaking his head at himself, Raid went back behind the circulation desk and sat. He couldn’t see Khloe. She’d opted to pull the return cart to one of the library computer stations behind him. But he could feel her nonetheless.

Seeing movement from the corner of his eye, Raid looked up and saw none other than Jason Mather strolling through the library. He didn’t try to get his or Khloe’s attention, but it was obvious he was proud of himself just for being there. He had a smirk on his face as he walked the aisles. Raid saw him wave, so he knew Khloe had looked up and seen him.

Raid stood but Jason didn’t stop, he kept on walking and headed toward the door that faced the square.

“Cocky son-of-a-bitch,” Raid muttered. He had a feeling the two brothers were done skulking around and were about to put their plan in motion…whatever that was. He didn’t think they were here to physically hurt Khloe. But then again, he wouldn’t have thought anyone would’ve been crazy enough to try to run Khloe down in a parking lot either, and look what Alan had done.

He gave it a minute, and when Khloe didn’t come back to the circulation desk completely freaked out, he took a deep breath. His Khloe was stronger than Jason thought.

Raid himself didn’t freak out about the his thing. He’d waited long enough. Starting tomorrow, he was going to do whatever he could to make sure Khloe knew he was interested in her as more than a friend. More than an employee.

* * *

Khloe waved at Raiden from her front door and watched as he gave her a chin lift in return and pulled out of the parking lot at her apartment. She slowly closed and locked her door, then walked the few steps required to drop onto her couch with a sigh. She’d gone from thinking about him as her annoying boss, to the man she wanted more than she wanted her next breath, and she didn’t even know how it was possible to change so quickly.

She supposed it was the way he supported her unconditionally. How he’d glare at anyone who stared at her a beat too long. How he couldn’t seem to take his eyes off her.

In the past, if a man had done those last two things, she would’ve been more than irritated. She would’ve accused him of being overprotective and told him to knock it off. She was more than capable of taking care of herself. And she’d never appreciated a man focusing solely on her ass and boobs.

But Raid looked at her with longing instead of lust. As if he was admiring from afar something he knew he’d never have. His looks were appreciative and oddly respectful…if someone staring at her chest could be considered respectful.

She’d decided today to take the bull by the horns, so to speak, and ask him out since it was obvious he wasn’t going to make the first move. It was mortifying when he’d turned her down. For a second, she thought she’d misread everything. That he wasn’t into her and he really had been helping her out in a friendship capacity.

But then he’d practically knocked his chair over to get to her, held her hand, and babbled nonstop. It was cute. Knowing she’d reduced a man like Raiden to blurting out everything he was thinking without pause was heady. She was thrilled that they’d get to hang out tomorrow. Of course, most women wouldn’t be happy with a date of walking in the woods, but she wasn’t most women. She couldn’t think of anything she’d like more than hanging out with Raid and Duke as they got reacquainted with the forest. Maybe she’d even suggest she hide so Duke could find her.

Well…actually, she could think of one thing she’d like more than that. Sitting on Raid’s couch, snuggled up next to him. Maybe she’d continue to make the first move and straddle his lap. She giggled just thinking about how wide his eyes would get, what he might do.

Khloe had dated her fair share of men in the past. And it always seemed like the quieter ones were the better lovers. She let her mind wonder what Raid would be like in bed. Their height difference would make things…interesting. She squirmed a bit, thinking about Raid’s intensity focused on giving her pleasure.

No matter if Raid was an expert when it came to sex, or if she’d need to give him hints about what she liked and where to touch, Khloe had no doubt that he’d do whatever he could to make sure it was good for her. That was just who he was. He was constantly watching out for others. His friends, their wives, the library patrons…

After a few more minutes of daydreaming about Raid, Khloe wandered into her small kitchen and sighed as she inspected her fridge, then her cupboards. She needed to make something to eat before Caryn and Drew came by, but she wasn’t in the mood for cooking at all. She headed into her bedroom instead and changed into a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. She would’ve preferred to throw on sweats, but since her friends were coming over, she thought it might be more appropriate to at least make an effort to not look like a total slob.

She took a page from Raid’s book and ate a bowl of cereal for dinner while standing in the kitchen, then padded into her tiny living room and flopped down once more on her second-hand couch. It had been an hour since Raid had dropped her off, already dark out, and she couldn’t stop herself from wondering what plans he had on a Friday night. If he wasn’t with a woman, what could he be doing? As far as she knew, none of the others in their friend group had plans to hang out with him. And Raid wasn’t the kind of man who liked to just “hang out” anyway.

He was an introvert. He didn’t go out. Hardly went anywhere, really, other than the woods. So what in the world could he have planned for tonight that was more important than a date with her?

Okay, that sounded completely snobby, but Khloe could tell he was upset about declining her offer to come over. If that was the case, if he was truly upset, why couldn’t cancel or reschedule his plans?

Once her mind got stuck on the question, it wouldn’t stop spinning. She couldn’t stop herself from thinking up all sorts of scenarios.

He was going to hunt down Jason and Scott and confront them.

He was working as a spy and had to research some nefarious local activities.

He was secretly a stripper and drove to Roanoke on Friday nights to strip at some club.

Khloe giggled. Right. No way in hell.

Raid didn’t seem to like confrontation, and being a secret spy was difficult when you were as tall as a tree. It was more likely he had a new book he really, really, really wanted to read.

Or maybe he wasn’t all that into her after all, and was just putting on a good show at the library because he didn’t want to hurt her feelings…

Biting her lip, Khloe frowned. The more she tried to think of what he might be doing, the more she fretted.

When another twenty minutes went by and she couldn’t seem to stop wondering—okay, agonizing over—why Raid couldn’t hang out with her, she made a decision.

She stood and grabbed her phone off the kitchen counter where she’d left it when she’d arrived home. She sent a quick text to Caryn, apologizing and saying she just wasn’t up for company tonight, asking if they could do the movie thing another night. She felt awful about blowing Caryn off, but knew she wouldn’t be able to quiet her mind if she didn’t satisfy her curiosity and find out what Raid was doing tonight.

It was irrational. It was crazy. It was desperate and a little stalkerish. But Khloe didn’t let any of that stop her. At this point, almost two hours had gone by since Raid had dropped her off. She’d just run by his place, tell him…

Shit, she had no idea what excuse she was going to use for being at his house.

Shrugging, Khloe figured she’d think of something by the time she got there.

Feeling a touch of excitement about the adventure she was going to go on, despite her crazy thoughts, Khloe quickly headed back into her bedroom to grab a pair of sneakers. A sense of anticipation swam through her veins. It had been a long time since she’d done something this impulsive. She didn’t think Raid would be upset to see her, but there was always the chance. If he was pissed, she’d rather know now before she fell too hard for the man.

Her excitement lasted until she walked out of her apartment and headed for her little VW Bug. She loved her car. It wasn’t practical, but she didn’t care. She was about to climb in when she happened to look to her left.

Khloe froze as she met Jason’s gaze. She had no idea how long he’d been watching her apartment, but suddenly she was very grateful for all her friends coming over each night. She also didn’t know what he wanted or why he was there, but she wasn’t going to stick around and ask. She slammed her door shut and immediately locked the doors. Her hands were shaking, but she managed to get the key in the ignition and throw the car into drive.

Her bug was no match for Jason’s pickup truck, but she didn’t plan on letting him get anywhere near her. She drove way too fast through the back streets of Fallport. She assumed he knew where Raid lived, but if there was even a slim chance he didn’t, she wasn’t going to lead him there.

It took way too long to get to Raid’s house, but Khloe was satisfied that Jason hadn’t managed to follow. She felt shaky inside and out, was still trembling when she pulled around the garage. She would’ve parked out front, but she didn’t want to risk Jason or Scott driving by and seeing her car. It wasn’t exactly common in Fallport.

Just being at Raid’s house gave her a sense of safety. It was kind of crazy, considering there were two Mather brothers and Raid was only one person, but there it was.

Khloe went up to the front door and knocked. She frowned when several minutes went by with no answer. She knocked again, and again, Raid didn’t appear. She’d seen his vehicle through the windows in the garage as she walked by, so he should be home. Frowning now, and feeling a little worried, Khloe walked around the house to the back door.

She looked in through the window and the house was dark. Duke wasn’t sleeping in his bed and there was no sign of Raid.

Khloe’s shoulders slumped. He wasn’t home. Whatever was so important tonight was obviously taking place somewhere else. Someone had picked him up and he could literally be anywhere.

She turned to head back to her car, but then remembered Jason. He was probably casing the streets looking for her, along with his brother. Who knew what they’d do if they found her? Shivering, Khloe sighed.

She had no idea what made her do it, but she reached for the knob on the back door.

To her surprise and relief, it actually opened. It was shocking and ridiculous that Raid hadn’t locked the door. She supposed that maybe the last time he’d let Duke out, he’d been in a hurry or something and hadn’t locked it when he let him in. It was shortsighted and dangerous, especially considering everything that had happened to their friends, and with the Mather brothers in town, ready and willing to cause havoc.

But Khloe had never been so relieved and grateful in all her life that Raid was a little scatterbrained tonight. She’d simply wait inside for him to get back. She felt much safer here than in her little apartment. Yes, she could go to any of her friends’ houses and they’d watch over her, but all Khloe could think of was snuggling down on Raid’s couch.

Making sure to lock the deadbolt of the back door, Khloe smiled as she wandered toward the couch. The house was warm, smelled like whatever Raid had made for dinner, mixed with his own piney scent. Whatever soap he used smelled like the forest he and Duke loved to walk so often.

Just as she was about to sit, Khloe heard something.

She froze and cocked her head to try to figure out where the sound was coming from. It was…Raiden’s voice! But where was he?

Khloe tiptoed through the living room toward the hallway where the bedrooms were located. She stopped when she saw a door cracked open. She’d always assumed it was a linen closet, but apparently it was a door to a basement. She’d had no idea Raid’s house even had a basement. He’d never offered to show it to her, and she’d just assumed the house was all one level.

Trying to be as quiet as possible, she eased the door open. A light was on down there, and now she could definitely hear Raid’s low voice. The possibilities of what he could be doing in the basement swam through her head. Maybe he really was a spy, and the basement was where he kept all his computers and modems and things to hack into giant corporations and foreign countries.

Feeling silly, Khloe quietly walked down the steps. She made it about halfway before she stopped once more. She could hear Raid clearly now, but what he was saying didn’t make any sense. It took her several minutes to work it out.

The bottom of the stairs faced a cinderblock wall. The rest of the basement was to the right of the stairs. Cautiously, Khloe crouched and leaned forward until she could peek into the room.

She saw Duke lying on his back with his feet in the air on another extremely comfy-looking dog bed. Raid sat at a table with a computer in front of him. The glow from the screen made his red hair look even brighter than normal. There was a small desk lamp shining next to him, but no other lights on in the room.

He had a box next to him with what looked like a castle turret at the top.

As she watched, he lifted a hand and dropped something into the top of the turret, and Khloe assumed it was dice when they rattled in the box. He read off the numbers, and she realized he was video chatting with someone, or a few someones. A pad of paper was in front of him, and he flipped a page and scanned it as someone spoke through the speakers.

Khloe slowly and quietly eased to her butt on the stairs where she could hear what was being said through the computer speakers. She knew she should let him know she was there, but she couldn’t resist the urge to listen for a while first.