Chapter 6

6

Kinsley exited through the back door of the T-shirt shop, Dev's hand on her elbow. Sharp winds carrying caustic smoke slapped her in the face, and she was greeted by several men she didn't recognize. Dev had told her his Shadow Lake Survival team had arrived to help escort her to the car. She didn't expect such rugged and forceful men, but why not? They taught people how to survive in the wilderness, and she would imagine that meant they would need to be in shape to survive on their own.

They formed an impenetrable line from the building exit to the back door of an SUV. A second SUV had parked behind this one, and Jada was in its back seat while another guy sat behind the wheel. The remaining men had their weapons drawn, and their gazes constantly roved around the area.

Looking for the shooter? Most likely.

She slowed to rub her sweaty palms against her thighs, but Dev urged her forward and into the back seat.

As soon as he closed the door behind her, the men broke their line. The first guy slid in beside her. Colin, Dev and Jada's brother, who looked very much like Dev minus some facial hair. The next two men, who she thought might be brothers, took the front seat.

"Get us on the road, Reid," Dev said.

The eldest of the group, a man with extremely dark hair, glanced back from the driver's seat. "On it."

Dev looked at her. "We're headed to the Shadow Lake Survival compound, but we'll take a roundabout route to be sure we're not followed." He bit down on his lip and sat back but kept searching the area.

His rigid body language told her to hold off on conversation. She took in the scenery as they whipped out of town and into the countryside. Reid soon had them on the highway at cruising speed, but all of the men continued to check out their windows and mirrors.

Dev glanced at her. "You and Jada will stay at our cabin, and I'll have someone go to the campground to pick up your things."

She still didn't like him making decisions for her, but she knew this was the right decision, so she gave him a reassuring smile. "Sounds good, if it's not inconvenient."

"Your safety comes first, and that could never be inconvenient." He nodded at the man behind the wheel. "That's Reid Maddox driving us, and his brother Ryan in the front seat. Along with their brother Russ, who's the local sheriff, they own Shadow Lake Survival and the property that it sits on."

"Good to meet you, Kinsley." Reid glanced in the mirror and gave her a quick smile before looking back at the road.

"Ditto." Ryan angled between the seats and gave her a beaming smile. "Even if it is under such difficult circumstances. Hopefully, we can improve that for you."

She returned his infectious smile. "I very much appreciate any help you're willing to give."

"Don't mention it," Reid said. "We're glad to help. And on that subject, Dev, I rescheduled your and Colin's classes, so you're both free all week. I'll try to free up team members as you need them too. If this isn't resolved by the weekend, we can reconsider the schedule again."

A week? Or even more? No. Kinsley wanted it wrapped up in a few days. That would give her and Jada time to move back to the campground and still have that reunion they'd planned.

"Thanks, man," Dev said.

"No worries." Reid looked in the mirror. "If I were in your position, you'd do the same for me."

Dev gave a thumbs up, then leaned across Kinsley to give his brother a punch to the knee. "I live with Colin. You'll probably get sick of him when you stay with us."

She glanced at Colin to see if he was bothered by Dev's comment, but he just rolled his eyes. "I think what you'll soon remember is that I'm the older, wiser brother, and this bozo doesn't know what he's talking about."

Dev laughed. Oh, good. Some lighthearted banter in this very tense situation. Likely what they were going for.

"Besides," Colin said. "I think you'll find that our mother is the wisest of all, and she'll set us all straight if we're on the wrong path. Of course, Jada always tries. At least when she's around, which isn't often these days."

"It's nice of you to visit, Kinsley," Dev said. "That means we get to see Jada. Otherwise, she might not have arranged to take leave and come back here."

"I never saw that coming, did you?" Kinsley glanced between the two men. "I mean, Jada going into the Navy right out of high school. She never even talked about it when we were growing up, and then, boom. She comes to school one day and says she enlisted."

"It was a total surprise to our family too." Colin frowned. "But Mom finally got her to admit that she was worried about all of the uprisings and protests in our country and across the globe. She wanted to be part of the solution and not part of the problem."

Jada had shared last night about her love of being in the Navy. Her friend appeared to be very happy with her choice. "It seems to suit her."

"Like Dev said, she likes it so much she rarely comes home," Colin said. "But I think if she didn't have this trip planned to see you, she might've checked up on Mom."

Sandy? Just how badly was she really doing if it brought Jada home? Kinsley didn't know what to think. "I know Jada's worried about her."

"I'd like to say Mom's out of the woods," Colin said. "But time will tell if these meds keep working and she feels well enough to move back home."

They fell silent, and she offered a prayer for Sandy. Kinsley already prayed for her every day, but no one had told her that Sandy was doing as poorly as she had been. Kinsley couldn't wait to see her in person. Not only because she loved her like a second mother, but to make her own assessment of the very special woman's health.

Dev sat forward to peer intently at his brother. "I need you to put your computer genius to work and see what you can find out about Louis Luongo."

"Wait, what?" Wide-eyed, Colin asked, "What in the world do you want me to look into him for?"

Dev glanced at Kinsley. "As a former FBI agent, Colin's like most law enforcement officers and is very familiar with Luongo." He shifted to look at his brother again and explained Luongo's potential connection to Kinsley. "I don't think it's connected, but any time a killer moves into your neighborhood, you have to consider him for major crimes committed in the area."

"That's a name I hoped to never hear again." Colin rubbed a hand over his face. "He's a slippery dude, and I don't like the thought of him anywhere near any of us."

"So look him up," Dev said. "See what you can find out. Maybe you can learn something that will at the very least stop him from buying property here."

"I'll write a few algorithms and see what I can find."

"Since Colin served in IT in the FBI, he has mad computer skills," Dev told Kinsley. "Hopefully he can give us information to go on. He can also help with your computer if we run into issues with it."

"Once we retrieve it," she said.

"Once I retrieve it." Dev gave her a pointed look. "You do understand why I can't have you go to your apartment to pick it up, don't you?"

She nodded. "What do you suggest I do now?"

"We get you settled at the cabin. My teammates, who all have law enforcement or military experience, will provide security for you, and Colin and I'll pick up your computer."

He was going to leave her behind? Really?

No. She didn't like that. Not at all. Not only for his safety, but she didn't like the idea that he would be leaving her. She felt safer with him nearby. But why? Sounded like his team had the capability to keep her safe, so what was her real reason behind wanting Dev at her side? Was she letting that teenage crush take over? Was it more than a crush? Did she have feelings for him? Real, legit, grown-up feelings?

All good questions, but an even bigger one was, if so, what was she going to do about it?

Dev had called his mother to tell her to expect Jada and Kinsley. He knew she would be waiting at the door for them, and she was. In fact, she hobbled down the steps with her cane, tossed it to the ground, and threw her arms out to draw Jada close. "Oh, sweetheart. I'm so glad to have you home."

"I'm glad to see you too, Mom, but you don't need to strangle me." Jada laughed and pushed back.

His mother turned her sights on Kinsley and dragged her into a hug as well. "And you, sweetheart. It's been far too long since I've seen you."

"I'm sorry about that," Kinsley said, but didn't withdraw from the hug as Jada had done.

In fact, she slid even closer. Maybe she needed reassuring after the shooting in town. Or maybe she just missed his mother, who he knew after all the time that Kinsley spent with their family, she thought of like a second mother.

They finally split apart.

His mother linked arms with both women and turned to the door. "Well, how about not making it such a long time before I see you again?"

They both muttered promises to make sure not as much time passed before they returned. Question was, could either one fulfill their promise?

Dev retrieved the cane and followed the trio up the stairs. Reid and Ryan remained outside as they'd agreed upon earlier, and Colin would go with Dev to the campground to pick up Jada's and Kinsley's belongings. Software on Reid's phone would alert him to any activity at the gate, and the Maddox brothers would form the first line of defense against any intruder.

Confident the cabin was secure for now, Dev stepped inside to a place in serious need of remodeling. A tangy scent oozed from the attached kitchen. The lunch they were late for. He was thankful his mom could prepare the meal, but he needed to keep an eye on her so she didn't wear herself out during Jada and Kinsley's visit.

This large, three-bedroom cabin belonged to the Maddox brothers and their business. The rooms were overloaded with fishing décor from a time when the cabin was rented out as part of the family resort. After the resort closed, Russ moved in but only updated the mattresses and living room furniture. Then he got married and moved into Sydney's newly built townhouse.

His mom sat on the sofa, with Jada and Kinsley flanking her. Brooklyn, Colin's fiancée, sat in an easy chair smiling at the other women. She'd once been paid to care for his mother, but had recently gone back to her job as a white hat hacker. Still, she'd really connected with their mom and spent a good part of her day tending to her needs, but then went home to a nearby rental house at night.

Colin closed the door and stepped into the room. Brooklyn shot to her feet and raced to join him behind the sofa. He gave a wide smile and opened his arms. She slipped into them, and he held her close, kissing the top of her head. It warmed Dev's heart to see his brother so happy. Maybe Dev should listen to Colin's earlier advice about Kinsley.

He leaned against the wall-to-wall stone fireplace, with its thick wooden mantle and big taxidermy salmon mounted above. The monstrosity took center stage in the family room. He watched the women chatter, one stepping on the other's words, falling into their old ways of easiness with each other.

He wanted to head to the campground to retrieve their things, then get on his way to Portland for the computer, but he hated to interrupt the fun they were having.

His mother clutched Kinsley's hands. "Now tell me, who would want to be shooting at you? I was shocked to hear what happened in town and in that parking lot in Portland."

Kinsley's smile evaporated. "I don't exactly know who it could be, but I think it's someone I investigated and found something illegal in their work."

"We need to get started on figuring out who it is," Dev said, as this was the perfect opportunity to interrupt. "First, I'm going to run over to the campground to pick up their possessions, then a trip to Portland to get Kinsley's computer. Maybe it'll contain information to give us something to go on."

"Well, let's hope there is something," his mother said. "And until you figure this out, promise me you'll be right by Kinsley's side, protecting her."

"I will be. Except this quick trip to the campground and to Portland."

His mother's eyebrows shot up. "Can't you send someone else to get the computer?"

"Trust me," he said. "I've considered that, and I'd rather be here. But if I get a look around Kinsley's place, I might see something else that could be helpful."

"Couldn't Reid or Ryan do the same thing?" Brooklyn asked.

"I take it you met Kinsley and know what's going on," Dev said.

"I did, while we were waiting for you to come inside."

Dev nodded. "I could send someone else, but I know her, and I think that makes me the best person for the job."

"I agree." Kinsley sat up straight. "I can't think of what he could find that would help, but I think I'm still in shock from another shooting, and you never know what I'm forgetting."

"Then we're all set, and I'll be going," Dev said, wanting to move on. "Now, what about your things at the campground? Is there anything I need to know before I grab them?"

Kinsley tilted her head. "Just don't forget to pack up the box of memories I brought along. Don't forget a single thing."

"Especially not the lamp." Jada giggled and looked at her mother. "Did you know Kinsley kept one of those ugly lamps you got rid of when you redecorated the cabin?"

His mother swiveled toward Kinsley. "What on earth would you want one of those old things for?"

Kinsley blushed. "It's not that I specifically wanted a lamp, but when you remodeled the cabins, you were getting rid of everything that made the Bluebird our special place. The lamp was the smallest thing you were tossing out. So I took one for a memory of all the fun times Jada and I had in that cabin."

"Isn't that the sweetest thing?" His mother patted Kinsley's knee. "You always were one to cherish memories."

Kinsley covered her hand with her own. "I loved my time with your family. I don't know what I would've done growing up without you all. I learned so much from you about how a real family acted, and I'll forever be grateful for that."

"It's a joy to have you as part of our family, and I hope that will continue."

"I hope that never changes." Kinsley drew her into a hug, then released her to look at Dev. "Other than that, I never unpacked much, so please just throw whatever I have out into my suitcase."

"Same," Jada said.

He nodded. "Reid and Ryan will be outside. If they see any sign of danger, they'll let you know. Please do whatever they instruct you to do without question." Dev locked gazes with Kinsley. "Okay?"

"Sure."

He eyed his sister. "You too, Jada."

She waved her hand. "Don't worry about me, I can take care of myself."

"That kind of statement is exactly what I'm worried about." Dev fixed his sister in his sights. "I know you're better trained than Kinsley, but you're not an expert in personal protection. So please listen to the guys."

"Don't worry, I will." She turned to his mother. "Now, what's that wonderful smell coming from the kitchen?"

"Beef stew in the Crock-Pot. Brooklyn made it for dinner." She smiled up at Brooklyn, her love for Colin's fiancée evident in her expression. "I'd be glad to make lunch now."

"Now, Mom." Dev took a step closer to her. "I know you like to spoil all of us, but I won't leave until you promise not to wait on these two. They can help with the cooking and chores around here."

"I'm kind of out of practice on the cooking front," Jada said. "We have our own KP staff on the ships."

"I'm pretty sure you could still figure out how to make our favorite marshmallow fluff and bacon sandwich." Kinsley laughed and sat forward. "Just point me to the food, and I'll be glad to make lunch for all, and I promise not to make the marshmallow sandwich."

"I can show you around," Brooklyn said. "But then I have to get back home and get to work."

"You rest, Sandy, and I'll go raid the refrigerator with Brooklyn while you and Jada catch up." Kinsley crossed the room to slip her arm into Brooklyn's. "You'll have to tell me all about what you do for a living while you show me the ropes in the kitchen."

"I'm a white hat hacker." Brooklyn led Kinsley toward a small cut-out on the back wall that connected the kitchen to the living area.

"That sounds fascinating," Kinsley said. "I'd love to hear more, and you'll also have to tell me how you met Colin."

Dev loved how easily she fit with his family, even with Brooklyn, who'd only been with them a few months. With Kinsley settled, he should go, but he was reluctant to leave. A round trip to the campground with her things should only take an hour or so, and he'd be right back here with her.

Maybe he needed more assurances that she really would listen to the Maddox brothers if danger came to their doorstep. Because if their recent trip into town taught him anything, it reinforced that they could be surprised by a crazed shooter when they least expected him, and her life could be snuffed out at a moment's notice.