2. Kali

2

KALI

“Rent’s due soon.”

That’s the first thing I hear when I walk out of my bedroom. The roommate that I found through an online service isn’t the friendliest person, but I really can’t complain. I can’t be too picky since I’m using my savings to pay for my part, and it’s already dwindling fast. My job working in the library and dorm room at the college ended when I graduated, and I had to find something cheap and quick, so here I am.

I bite my lip even though I want to say something back. Getting into an argument with her is not going to help me with my interview. I just nod my head on my way out the door. Hopefully neither Anna nor anyone else back home will ever meet my roommate because the fun-loving description I’ve given them won’t match in the least. I roll my eyes. Just one more thing I’ve lied to my family about. It isn’t like I enjoy lying to them about my fictional dating, my crowd of friends, or positive feedback on my job interviews. It’s because I love them that I lie to them. I don’t want them to worry, and if they knew the truth, they’d definitely worry.

Most days, I’m good. I really am.

But today, well, that dream has me shaken up a bit.

I hesitate before getting on the elevator to go down to the parking lot.

I peek around, and when the elevator doors open with no one inside, I slowly step in. Still anxious, I put one hand on the cool wall as I shake my head. Since when do I need an escort to my own car? Surely I can do this without freaking out.

I press the button for the bottom floor where the parking garage is located and wait to descend. I take deep, satisfying breaths to try and calm myself. I remind myself that I moved to California on my own and worked to put myself through school all on my own. Going out and getting a job isn’t the scary part.

I’m fine.

The elevator doors open, and I peek side to side before stepping out. With my eyes on my car, I walk across the empty lot, and as I’m setting stuff into my passenger seat, I see movement in the side mirror. My heart hammers in my chest as I turn to look.

Nothing is there.

I let out a deep breath. Kali, you’re being ridiculous.

Nevertheless, I lock the doors and start the car before pulling out and driving across town. Lost in thought, my phone startles me. I dig in my purse but when I can’t find it by touch only, I push the button on my steering wheel to answer. “Hello.”

“Hey Kali! This is Jacob.”

I recognize his voice immediately. He was in my study group in my senior thesis class. “Hey, Jacob. How’s the job going?” He was really friendly and even asked me out a few times. He seemed like a nice guy, but I told him I was concentrating on finishing school and getting a degree, and he seemed to be okay about it. However, I’m surprised he’s calling me now.

“The job is good. The reason I’m calling is I was thinking now that we’re graduated and you marked that off your list, you might go out with me. Maybe dinner... so we can catch up.”

“Uh, I’ve been really busy trying to find a job. Now isn’t the best time.”

Stuck in traffic as I’m talking to him, I get that prickle on the back of my neck like someone is watching me. I reach up and adjust my rearview mirror to see the cars behind me. I look to the left at the driver beside me, but I don’t spot anyone watching me.

“Kali, are you there?” Jacob asks.

“Uh, yeah, sorry, what were you saying?” I push on the gas when the car in front of me starts to move again.

“I said you’re never going to date if you keep letting life get in the way. Besides, you’re brilliant, the smartest in our class. You’ll have a job in no time.”

Even though I’m flattered, I still can’t bring myself to accept. “I hardly know you, Jacob, I just wouldn’t be comfortable.”

“Hardly know me?” his voice booms in the speakers, and I flinch. “We’ve been in the same study group for the whole year and in a lot of the same classes.” He trails off, and when he talks again, it’s in a softer tone like the one I’m used to hearing from him in the trial therapy class sessions we had in school. “You’ve obviously been hurt before. I’m sorry that it’s so hard for you to trust people, Kali. I hope in time you can. Good luck with your interviews.”

Perturbed by his arrogance at treating me like a patient or something, I laugh off his assessment. “Okay, thanks, Doctor Jacob. Bye.”

I hit the button on the steering wheel to disconnect the call and try to clear my mind of Jacob. When I get to the building, I pull into the underground parking structure. It’s pretty full, and I ignore the claustrophobic feeling I get as I go deeper below ground level. Looking at my watch, I know I’m going to be late if I don’t hurry. I grab my tote bag and purse from the passenger seat and get out of my car. It’s darker down here, and I stride toward the sign that says elevator.

I can hear someone else walking toward the elevator bay. I look back and see it’s a man. Immediately my heart is hammering again, and my breath is coming in short little gasps.

Stay calm, Kali.

Knox

I’m back at the warehouse in Whiskey Run finishing up the paperwork, and like every other mission, I’m on edge and know I’m not going to be able to go home and sleep. I try not to think about the fact that I don’t have anyone at home waiting for me. Once I’m showered and cleaned up, Logan and Aiden are the only ones still around.

“Want to go for a drink?” I ask them.

“Yes.”

“Fuck yeah.”

They both look at me with relief, telling me that I’m not the only one that wasn’t looking forward to going home alone.

“Where do you want to go? The Whistler? Or Twisted Lime?” I ask them, naming the most popular bar in Whiskey Run and then Twisted Lime, which is in Jasper.

“Twisted Lime.” They both answer in unison.

I nod understandingly. Even though I love Whiskey Run, sometimes you have to unwind where everyone doesn’t know you and you can breathe without having to talk to everyone. “I’ll meet you there.”

I drive across town, and the whole way I can’t stop thinking about the couple on the airplane. From the minute I saw them until I left them to do my own paperwork, they were holding hands, not wanting to let the other one go. The Jensens. I finally asked their names, and they are Mike and Stephanie Jensen. They’ve been married for twelve years and were on their yearly anniversary trip when they had been taken hostage.

With a peck on my window, Logan waves me out of the car. I follow them in and try to push my thoughts of the Jensens as far out of my mind as possible.

The bar is low key and a place that’s friendly to military and law enforcement. The atmosphere is nice, and there are even quite a few nice-looking women at the bar.

Logan and Aiden sit down at a high table right in the middle, and I follow suit. We barely get our drinks ordered before we are surrounded by three ladies. It’s obvious they are all eyeing Aiden, but it won’t take them long to figure out they don’t have a chance. Aiden may look, but that’s it. I’ve never seen him with a woman in all the years I’ve known him.

Logan, on the other hand, is the player. He may have been a doctor in the military and is one of the smartest guys I know, but he likes to have fun. I don’t think he’ll ever settle down.

“You’re hurt,” one of the women says to Logan, holding his hand up to inspect it.

He smirks at Aiden and me as if to say, You should see the other guy .

She reacts like every other woman he’s shown. She rubs his hand and offers to kiss it and make it feel better. Luckily, we don’t have to sit and watch them long because Aiden stands up and takes her out to the dance floor.

As if a silent decision is made between the two remaining women, one leaves, and the remaining slim blonde presses to my side, her breast brushing against my arm. “What about you? You going to ask me to dance?”

I look at her, and she’s beautiful. Any other time I would probably take her up on it. But not today. Not after seeing the Jensens and the way they were with each other—well, I just don’t want to waste my time. “Not tonight, sweetheart. Thank you, though.”

She looks hurt, and I feel guilty. I hate to hurt a woman’s feelings, but I’m just not interested. Not tonight.

The woman walks away, and I sit back and sip my beer. Aiden is quiet as always, drinking his beer, and I have no idea what he’s thinking.

We sit for a while, leaning up with the bar at our backs. People are laughing, dancing, and having a good time. I sip on my beer and try to figure out what this feeling is. A part of me wants to sleep off the last few days, and another part of me wants to figure out what this unsettled pit is in my stomach. I’m not one to feel lonely, but right now I do.

I don’t know how much time has passed, but I look over at Aiden, who’s typing into his phone. “What are we doing, Aiden?” It’s a loaded question, and I don’t really expect an answer.

When he looks at me, I nod out toward Logan. He’s dancing and laughing with a woman in his arms. There’s no doubt he is having fun, but I really doubt he goes home with her from here. It seems there’s a shifting in our group, a restless energy among us, and that’s not good, not in our line of work.

Instead of answering me, Aiden shrugs his shoulders. “I’m going to head out.”

“Does it have something to do with who you’ve been texting?”

He opens his mouth and shuts it quickly.

I just smirk. “It’s May, right? You’re texting with May?”

As soon as I mention Colt’s little sister, he sits up straight in the seat. He’s about to deny it and then shakes his head. “How’d you know?”

I just shrug. “I noticed you two. It’s pretty obvious there’s something going on.”

He nods. “Does Colt know?”

I think about Colt. He’s been pretty busy since he’s married Kinsley, and most likely he hasn’t noticed that there’s something going on with his little sister and one of his best friends. “I don’t think so, but you know he’s going to find out. It’d be better if he heard it from you.”

“I know,” he says. He takes a deep breath and stands up. “I’m outta here.”

I nod. “Me too.”

I get Logan’s attention to let him know we’re heading out and then I walk out with Aiden. “See you tomorrow.”

We go our separate ways, and even though it’s still early, I’m going to go home and get some sleep. There’s no telling how long downtime will actually last, and the sleep will do me good. With nothing exciting in my personal life, I’m already looking forward to our next mission.