Chapter 22

CHAPTER 22

K age

Help me.

The lady was serious about trying to clear my name. I'd seen the conviction in her eyes. She had no idea what she was thinking and certainly had no clue that no one gave a shit about me or my future.

Well, okay. Except maybe for the woman that had nearly shattered every bit of my resolve.

I was full of desire, unable to shut it down no matter if it was best for Noel's life. She was special, so much so I was more possessive than ever.

Shit.

Just lying with her, being by her side in a comfortable bed had been incredible. However, I'd let my guard down and that could get us killed.

I'd fallen asleep without doing a final check of the exterior or even ensuring the cameras were working. What the hell had I been thinking of? Oh, yeah, fucking a beautiful woman.

At least the phone had woken me from the deep slumber. I had to disengage from Noel, her body curled around mine. Even Max had managed to weasel his way between our legs to a point I almost felt trapped.

But damn if it didn't feel perfect, as if the three of us were meant to be.

While the ringing of my phone didn't awaken her, Max lifted his head, a single whine forcing me to place my finger across my lips.

I grabbed my cellphone, curious to see the caller had been Dan Rollins.

I'd been forced to leave messages for both him and Big Eddy, and there had been no guarantee they'd return my calls.

While I hoped Dan was the man I remembered, I also hadn't taken any chances. If either man was still working for Saldono, it was entirely possible they had a way of homing in on the signal, even though I'd purchased a burner phone.

I slipped out of bed while he was still leaving a message, silently padding to my room and grabbing an extra pair of jeans and a sweater since my other clothes were still lying in a wet pile on the bathroom floor. I waited until I was downstairs to return the call, immediately heading into the office to check the cameras.

"Wow. I honestly never thought I'd hear from you again," Dan said.

"That's what Big Eddy said too."

"You're reminiscing. Good times. Or maybe shitty ones. How did you get out of prison?"

"If you're asking if I escaped, the answer is no. Parole."

He growled as only the ranger could do. "You still got the shaft, buddy. Gio is a real piece of work. He had everyone believing he was a grieving brother, a kid who could do no wrong. In blaming you, he turned a lot of men against you."

"Yeah, well, that's why I'm calling. Rumor tells me you're no longer under Saldono's thumb."

His laugh almost sounded bitter. "You heard right. I tried to stick with the old man since he'd just lost his son but after a couple of years, I couldn't take it any longer."

"What are you doing now?"

"This and that. Some mercenary work when I can get it. What do you need?"

"Payback."

"You sure you want to do that? You'll violate your parole."

The woman upstairs lying naked in the same warm bed I wanted to be in had given me a hell of a lot to think about. "I don't plan on killing the bastards, Dan. I want them to kill each other."

That was unless the fuckers continued to hassle me. But the idea was a good one. What Noel had said sparked something entirely different in my mind. What if I could clear my name? It would be tough but maybe doable.

"What do you have in mind?"

"Good old-fashioned mind games. If I can get them to turn on each other, maybe I won't need to fill the streets with blood."

His chuckle was almost as dark as mine had been. "I always said you were the real conniving one in the group, but what you're thinking about will be tough."

"I get it but what do I have to lose? Besides, I refuse to live my life looking over my shoulder when a fucking kid hungering for power lords it over me. I'm not that kind of man."

"No, you're not. Okay, I'm in. However, don't underestimate Saldono, Kage. He's even more violent and bloodthirsty than when you were working with the bastard."

"I think they're both conniving and greedy bastards."

"Yeah, well, you are right about that. How did we work for them for so long?" Dan asked.

"I ask myself that question several times a week." And I did. "You still in Colorado?"

"Yeah, working at a ranch. I found out hard work makes me happy." His laugh was genuine and reminded me that both of us had been different people before going to work with Saldono.

"Let me ask you a question. Can you get in touch with the other guys that can be trusted?"

"A couple of the guys are currently working with me. But yeah, I can get you a few more, but you need to know what you're thinking is a crapshoot at best."

Exhaling, I knew I might be wasting time but I had no other choice. And I was the kind of man who didn't like being shoved against a wall. "I get it. I'm not stupid here, my friend. But Saldono needs to learn the truth."

"Maybe you're right. Give me a couple of days. I owe you for saving my life, my man, but after this, both of us need to move on. You know?"

"Let me guess. You're involved." He'd been the guy to say a million times a woman would never be happy in his world.

"News travels fast. We ain't in our twenties any longer. Soon, we'll be old men with no chance at getting pretty girls. I thought I'd find one while the fire was still burning."

It was good to hear his voice. He'd always been able to keep me down to earth. "Speak for yourself, dude. I get them plenty hot and young."

"Always a terrible liar."

"Yeah, well, I had to be. You know that."

He'd been with me through a lot of shit dealing with Saldono. He also knew better than anyone what I'd suffered, something I'd told almost no one. "Don't lose yourself, man. Breathing fresh air is a hell of a lot better than being stuck behind bars. You know?"

That much I knew to be true.

"Tell you what. Are you free for a couple hours tomorrow?"

"Sure, I think I can swing it. What for?"

"I just want to make an impression. Nothing more."

"Okay. But I don't want that man following me back to the ranch."

I was checking the cameras, ensuring there'd been no breach on the grounds. I had to give it to my grandfather. His security system was damn good, better than I'd had on my cabin. "Don't worry. I do have my driving skills still."

He burst into laughter. "I just bet you do. Call me with the time and place. I'll see if I can grab a couple of the guys."

"Will do and thank you."

"So, you met anybody?" he asked, half laughing.

I glanced toward the open door. "Yeah, I did and I plan on keeping her safe."

"What a shit business we got ourselves into."

"I'm not going back to prison."

"Good to hear. Call me."

I'd spent way too much time in this small space, more than I'd thought I'd do while sequestering ourselves in the cabin. Noel was right. We needed food and other supplies. I'd be forced to risk going into the small town. At least it wasn't too far away. Unfortunately, if I wanted to work on the plan I'd developed, including a whole lot of mind-fucking games, I'd need to drive further.

At least I had a few hours to think about it.

The call ended, I turned my attention to the internet, heading to the email I'd established, even if only a couple of people had been provided with the address. Junk. Junk. And more junk. It was ten times worse than when I'd gone into the joint.

Seeing one from my buddy Kyle shouldn't have lifted a red flag but it did. There was an attachment to it. As soon as I pulled it up, I was forced to sit back in my seat.

What the fuck?

A copycat killer using the same MO as James Jones? Of course it happened, but why was he sending me this?

The information was limited at best, no pictures or sightings, merely new crimes occurring in Texas and Montana. At least they were far away. I studied them for maybe thirty minutes, his email not sharing anything useful other than saying he thought I'd like to see the photos and news articles.

When I heard a whine behind me, I swiveled in my chair with a smile on my face, immediately beckoning for Max. "Come on, boy. Just a few more minutes and we'll go back to bed." I wanted to hold her the rest of the night more than I'd wanted anything in a long time. He trotted toward me, placing his head on my leg.

Unfortunately, a huge knot had formed in my stomach.

Why was it that I had a bad feeling the world Noel had endured and my sordid one were preparing to collide?

Because karma had put us together. There was no denying that. While the reports were only so detailed, the police being very careful, I could tell from learning as much as I had about Mr. Jones that whoever this copycat was had studied the notorious man in depth. What the hell was the world coming to?

Noel

"Was your grandfather into anything… illegal?" I knew the question had come out of the blue but I'd been doing research for an hour or so, realizing that his grandfather had had a rather sordid reputation, both before and after Kage had gone to prison. He'd never been named a suspect in a crime but the speculation surrounding the older man had remained in the forefront of a couple of tenacious reporters out of Denver.

The stories also captured the fact Kage had been sent to prison, which likely had added fuel to their reporting. On the flipside, I'd learned about the Bronson legacy, the incredible fortune that had been amassed over the years. The article in Fortune Magazine had spelled out their billionaire status, although that was from years before.

What I'd yet to find much on was anything about Kage's arrest.

But I wasn't finished digging.

I had my resources, although some involved calling in favors. I wasn't certain I was ready to do that just yet.

"What are you doing, bad girl?" Kage asked as he moved to the back of the couch behind me, peering over my shoulder.

"I'm certain things you wouldn't approve of."

He chuckled and planted his forearms on the sofa. "Grandpops was a man ahead of his time, a true adventurer. And yes, I'm certain he rode that morally gray line to get to the level of success he had before his death. He taught me early that honesty and integrity were vital in business, but I couldn't be afraid of crossing the line every so often."

"Because everyone else did."

He tousled my hair. "Because the days of playing the straight and narrow were gone if a company wanted true success. Do I think he did that more often than he wanted to let on? Absolutely. Do I think the lines he crossed pissed off some people? You bet. Success doesn't happen without making enemies."

"Not in my world." As soon as I made the statement and he cocked his head, I groaned. "You're trying to tell me without saying any words that James Jones was angry with me?"

"James Jones is a psychotic freak, but I am curious. Is it possible his rampage began long before your book was published? Did the detectives or forensics crew determine how long some of the women had been dead?"

I had to think about his question. "No, but so much of the evidence was kept from everyone including me. Is it possible James had been killing for most of his life? Yes. From what I know about psychology, serial killers usually display some form of psychosis early in life. Hurting animals. Bullying. Picking fights. Eventually, they grow bored and move to other more heinous activities. I honestly never thought to ask anyone the question about earlier murders. What are you getting at? That he thought I'd invaded his territory?"

"It's possible, sunshine. I learned from the best killers in the world they don't like copycats until they create them."

Copycat.

There was that term again. "Maybe."

"Still, James is behind bars, which surprises me given his level of intelligence. My grandfather was a brilliant man. He was also a bit psychotic himself. He needed things handled a certain way. I'm certain over the years Grandpops had enough enemies who longed to destroy him. What are you getting at?"

Shrugging, I placed my laptop on the coffee table, standing and heading closer to the man. "Did he know Saldono?"

Kage narrowed his eyes. "If you're asking if Saldono had my family killed for something my grandfather did, I highly doubt it. Why would he turn around and offer me employment?"

"Maybe guilt."

There was something chilling about the way he laughed. "My beautiful little fighter. Men like Saldono who are embroiled in blood feuds feel no guilt. They don't lose a minute of sleep either."

"Does that include you as well?"

I couldn't read the look on his face, but I sensed I wasn't going to get anywhere with my ideas. I'd need to do this on my own. Where to start I wasn't certain.

"I'm not sure what you want me to say, Noel. You already know I've done some things I'm not proud of but no matter what you read in the press, the world of a mafia organization isn't glamorous. It's brutal. It's kill or be killed just like in prison."

"Could I coerce you into living a different life? One where you traveled the world or say became a security guard for a very famous author?" The heat crowding my cheeks almost made me laugh. What did I think I was asking the man? At this point, I wasn't certain, but he wasn't going to suddenly shut down his grandfather's company.

"Are you offering me a job, lady?"

"What if I were?"

Kage took a decided step closer. "Then I'd say your judgment was impaired."

I took a step as well, shaking my head. "I think it's working just fine. In fact, I know it is."

With every moment of tension between us, never once had the electricity stopped churning. But I could feel the time we had together was running short. Why? I wasn't certain but I had to admit I was nervous.

I liked him. A little too much. I could envision a life with him and that scared me to death.

"Yeah, well, you don't know me well enough. Look, we do need supplies," Kage said.

"We're going out?" I asked the question almost hopefully. Not that I wanted to try to escape any longer. I simply needed to remember what my life had been like. I knew the danger. I wasn't stupid; I knew that by just leaving the protected environment we were in, one or both of us could get killed.

He gave me a stern look, the expression one that I guessed could turn fearful men into stone. But with me, his furrowed brow and clenched jaw had a completely different effect.

It made me weak in the knees.

"Not you, little miss sunshine. You're staying right here."

I wasn't entirely certain how to feel about his being gone for an extended period of time. "How long will you be gone?"

"Planning an escape? You do remember I will hunt you down." As he walked closer, I was allowed another delicious whiff of his manly aura. He didn't need aftershave or cologne to make my senses electrified.

"No, I guess I'm worried."

He relaxed his facial muscles and closed the distance. "If I didn't think you'd be safe, I wouldn't leave. I have the security system and cameras working and I have a burner phone for you in case anything should happen."

"You don't trust me with my own phone."

As Kage took me by the arms, pulling me even closer, I sensed an entirely different level of worry in the man. "It's not about trusting you, Noel. The honest truth is that I do with my life. However, the men I worked with will stop at nothing to get to me, including through you."

"So you've told me. I do understand, Kage. I just can't sit here and not do something to try and help you."

His sigh was weighted, full of angst. I would never have believed this man could be so caring but the way he cupped my face wasn't about possession or even desire this time. His touch was merely to let me know he heard me but was determined to keep me safe.

Against all odds.

"I don't know what you could do, Noel, but I appreciate the sentiment more than you know."

I gripped both sides of his shirt, yanking him closer. "You deserve exoneration and to find out who killed your family. Somehow, I will find a way to help you."

"My stubborn little brat. I do adore you, even if I will not allow you to get yourself killed."

"That's not what I'm trying to do. I get the trauma you've been through. Remember? I understand the nightmares and the hatred of the darkness. I know what it feels like to need to remain very much alone while being terrified of doing so. And I get that there is nothing and no one that can make you feel better for longer than a few minutes. No one else can fight your demons, Kage. Only you can. However, people supporting you, cheering you on, providing information and handling research to make your life more enriched? That is possible. We might not be in a relationship but you are my friend as well as my hero. Don't tell me you're not because I'll fight you on it. In a few short days, I've learned to trust a human being again. I've also learned about feeling something more than sadness and anger. I just hope maybe, eventually I can help you feel the same."

So much of the feelings I had for Kage were infused by danger and desire. I'd known since the beginning that the man craved domination almost as much as he did revenge, but the shimmer in his eyes was completely different. He brushed his fingers up and down the side of my face, taking his time while his chest rose and fell rapidly.

"Baby, you've given me more joy than I ever thought I'd feel again or deserve. But where I'm going in the next few days, I can't let you follow. I won't let you. You're too precious, too special to me and I would never forgive myself if anything happened to you. However, we do need food and some other supplies. I need to ensure that you will feel comfortable while I'm gone, which will be at least a couple hours. So you're going to come into the office with me and I'll supply you with the burner phone and show you what to look for with the security cameras and the perimeter security. My question to you is have you ever shot a gun before?"

The horror that we'd gone through had come down to needing a weapon to protect myself. "A couple times but it's been a few years."

"Then I'm going to refresh your skills."

"Is that really necessary?"

He lowered his head until our lips were almost touching. "It'll make me feel better. Unless you would prefer starving."

I knew he was trying to make light of the situation, but I sensed he was tenser than ever. "Is that all you're doing? Getting supplies?"

The man took a few seconds to kiss my lips before answering. "Don't ask questions I can't give you answers to. At this point, it's best you know as little as possible." He kissed my lips again, brushing them back and forth.

Why couldn't our lives be less complicated?

Our lives? Who was I kidding. This was nothing more than another chapter embroiled in a tidy little nightmare.

When we both woke up, I couldn't help but wonder if we'd feel the same need, the same burning desire as we did right now.

"Don't do anything to get yourself killed, Kage. Okay?" I'd grabbed ahold of his arm, keeping him in place.

"Are you asking if I'm doing business?"

"Yes, I am. I want to know if it's possible I'm never going to see you again."

"It sounds like you care." He was grinning like this was just a joke.

"Yeah, I do and I'm going to fight for you since you won't fight for yourself even though I'm certain it goes against your great rules. As my mama told me, I'm like a dog to a bone."

As he pinched my chin between two fingers, he snorted. "I guess I'll need to remember that. Won't I? I am doing business but don't worry. This is merely fact finding and planting a seed. Sometimes you need to push in order to have a conclusion."

"I don't like this at all. You're going to push the wrong buttons. Let me help you."

"You can't do anything but take some of the pain away."

"You underestimate me and what I can do," I challenged.

The way he gripped my face and chin again was with more pressure than before. "I need you to do nothing more than to enjoy writing and observing. Those are the rules you're required to follow. If not…" He grinned and playfully tapped me on the butt with his other hand. I don't know if he'd believed that would make me feel comforted or not, but it didn't. "Now, come on, sunshine. We should get this over with."

I watched him heading down the hallway toward his office and for about a million reasons I didn't want him to leave today. I knew if he did, he'd return a different man.

And I didn't want to lose him.

The man I was falling in love with.