Chapter Twelve

Declan slammed the brakes, sending the back end of the SUV fishtailing. He cried out in horror as the car carrying Jamal launched into the air and then disappeared from sight. He sped to the spot where they went over the embankment and ripped off his seat belt. He jumped out in time to see the car splash nose first into a wide, muddy brown river below.

“Oh my God!” Kenzie cried as she rushed to his side.

He started for the edge of the cliff.

“Declan, what are you doing?”

“Going in after him.”

He thought about diving from the top of the embankment, but he didn’t know how deep the water was or what lay beneath the surface. Getting himself paralyzed—or worse—wouldn’t save Jamal. Skidding and sliding down the hill, he made it to the small beach at the bottom and ran to the edge, diving and swimming like Peyton Durant towards the rapidly sinking car. Only a portion of the trunk and back bumper were visible, giving him a point to aim for as his arms and legs propelled him through the water.

He swam for all he was worth, keeping an eye on the spot where the car disappeared. The water was so dark, he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to see beneath the surface and he had no idea the depth of the river. When he reached the spot, he felt around and touched metal. Without letting go, he kicked harder until he grabbed a handle on what was a back door. He didn’t need to try and force it open when he discovered the window was already down. He swam through the opening and felt around inside but it was empty. Where was Jamal? He knew for a fact he wasn’t in the trunk. They’d spotted his head in the backseat as they followed the sedan. Before he could check the front seats, he needed air or else his lungs would explode. He kicked to the surfaced and sucked in air.

“Declan! Declan!”

Movement out of the corner of his eye had him treading water instead of immediately going back under. He spotted Kenzie on the small beach. She’d come down the ridge and was jumping up and down and waving to get his attention.

“I can’t find him,” he yelled back almost desperately. “I’m going back under.”

She pointed with both hands to the expanse of river in front of him. That’s when he saw ripples in the water, heading for the bank. Small arms were pumping for all they were worth. Jamal!

He started in that direction when something clamped onto his ankle and yanked him under. He hadn’t had a chance to hold his breath and he swallowed half the river as he sank below the surface. Years of military training taught him not to panic. He kicked out with his other foot, connecting with something solid. Blaze or Boomer, whichever one was holding on to him was desperate and he wasn’t letting go, clinging to him like a vise. The pressure in Declan’s lungs bordered on pain as he thrashed his leg, trying to dislodge the hand. He struck out with the heel of his other foot and this time when he connected, the grip on his ankle released. He shot to the surface, gasping for air and coughing up water. He wanted to leave but his conscience wouldn’t let him. The man was a killer and didn’t deserve saving, but he dove back under anyway. The cloudy water was impenetrable, and he couldn’t find him, nor could he see him. This time when he surfaced, he stroked for the shore and caught up with Jamal just before he hit the beach. His feet touched the ground, so he stood and swept up the boy in his arms.

“Let me go!” Jamal kicked and screamed, flailing his body like a slippery fish.

“Never.”

“Put me down.”

“Jamal, it’s me.”

He immediately stopped struggling. “Declan?”

He deposited him on the bank and then with a strangled cry, Jamal launched into his arms. He barely had time to brace himself. As it was, he staggered back a couple of steps and almost returned to the drink. Kenzie threw herself into the embrace. It was a good thing he’d been in the river so no one would realize the wetness on his face was tears.

“I thought we’d lost you,” Kenzie cried, ripping Jamal from his arms so she could hug him. While they embraced, he stumbled over to a grassy area and regurgitated a swimming pool full of liquid from his lungs. Man, that stuff was nasty. He didn’t even want to think about what chemicals or other unsavory toxins floated in the murky water.

Kenzie released Jamal and he jumped up and down, pointing to the river. “I did it! I swam all that way. It’s the farthest I’ve ever gone by myself. Did you see?”

Declan swallowed a lump of pride. “I did, buddy. You were awesome.”

Jamal nodded. “I wasn’t even that scared.”

Declan checked the spot where the car went under but there was no other movement. Guilt ate at him that the other two men were down there, even if one had tried to drown him with them. The odds were slim that he’d be able to find the car beneath the surface, but he had to try.

“I’m going back in to see if I can find Boomer or Blaze.”

“Declan, no,” Kenzie protested, grabbing his arm. “It’s too dangerous. Besides, they’ve been under too long.”

“They could still survive.” They’d probably be brain damaged if they did, but he’d do what he could. Death was almost too easy. He wanted them to pay for terrorizing Jamal. He also needed to find out what they were after.

“I’ll go with you,” Jamal stated.

“No!” they both barked in unison and he jumped back with his arms up.

“Okay, okay.”

“Stay here with Kenzie,” he ordered as he waded back in and then swam out to the general area where the car disappeared. The river current was slow, so he didn’t think it would’ve moved much. He dove under, feeling with his hands. Luck was on his side when he found the vehicle. It’d settled on the bottom. The river wasn’t too deep, maybe fifteen feet or so, but it was hard to navigate blindly. He swam through the open back window and felt the driver’s seat. Empty. There was a body in the passenger seat, but he was unmoving. Declan found the latch to unbuckle the belt and maneuvered the limp body through the back window. He gulped in air when he surfaced and then with an arm anchoring the man’s head above water, he kicked for shore. Kenzie and Jamal both waded out to help him drag the unconscious man to the sand.

“That’s Boomer,” Jamal stated.

Boomer didn’t have a pulse. Declan immediately started CPR while Kenzie dialed nine-one-one. Knowing it was a lost cause, he kept going as he called Kenzie over.

“Take Jamal to the SUV and park where you can hide from the first responders. I don’t want anyone knowing what really happened. There could be others coming.” They were outside Detroit city limits, but he wasn’t sure how far the Dogs would go to assist another gang, and they didn’t know who they could trust. For the Dogs to have known Fuller was the detective in charge of their case, they had to have a man or woman inside feeding them info.

“What about you?”

“I’ll say I was out running and saw the car go over. I’ll make an excuse as soon as I can and when you see me, pick me up and we’ll get out of here. The phone you used to call is untraceable and I’ll give a fake name.”

“Okay.” She handed him the cell. “We’ll park where we can see when you come up the ridge.”

He continued CPR and watched to make sure they made it up the hill safely. Jamal waved and then they disappeared. He focused on Boomer, fighting the urge to wring his neck instead of starting his heart. The man could’ve killed Jamal. To Declan, that was an unforgivable offense. Still, he kept a steady rhythm of chest compressions until sirens sounded in the distance.

#

Climbing up a steep hill was hard enough, but add in soggy, wet shoes, and it proved to be quite an ordeal. Finally, Kenzie made it to the top and tugged Jamal the rest of the way. He turned and waved at Declan and then she took his hand and led him to the SUV, boosting him into the back seat. Once he was settled, she closed the door and climbed behind the wheel. Shifting into reverse, she backed up and found a secluded spot nestled in the trees where they could watch the action but not be seen. She winced when branches scraped against the sides, hoping whoever let them borrow the vehicle had insurance.

She glanced in the rear-view mirror to make sure Jamal was okay when she noticed him trembling, either from being in the water or from fright, so she cranked the heater. Then she realized she was shaking, too. She’d come so close to losing both of them tonight. She’d have nightmares of the car flying over the embankment with Jamal inside. Then when Declan swam out to save him, he’d been jerked below the surface. She hadn’t had a chance to ask him, but she thought one of the men must’ve grabbed his foot. He’d been under too long and she’d been ready to swim to his rescue when he surfaced. She wouldn’t be able to breathe properly until he was back in the car with them.

Sirens wailed and then several emergency vehicles filled the dirt road in front of them. She slid lower in the seat in case anyone looked in their direction.

“Kenzie?”

She glanced in the mirror again. “Hum?”

“Don’t tell Declan this, but I was really scared, even though I said I wasn’t.”

Her heart clinched. She reached back and clasped his leg. “You didn’t show it at all. What you did was daring and bold. How did you get out of the car?”

“When I realized what was happening, I rolled down my window,” Jamal explained. “Then I had to brace myself. It kinda hurt. But as soon as we hit the water, I wiggled out the opening and started swimming.”

“You were courageous, fearless and brave, Jamal. There aren’t many kids your age—or older, even—who would’ve been able to save themselves like you did today. You don’t have to worry about Declan knowing you were scared.”

“But he’s so big and strong and tough. I want to be just like him.”

She smiled, making a mental note to relay those exact words to Declan. They’d please him. “Don’t tell him I told you this,” she lowered her voice like she was revealing a secret, “but he was petrified, too.”

Jamal’s eyes widened to saucers. “He was? For real?”

“For real.”

She faced forward again to watch the activity in front of them. Eventually, crews hauled a stretcher over the embankment and loaded the body into a waiting ambulance. She wondered if Declan’s life-saving efforts worked, feeling guilty that she hoped they didn’t. The man had kidnapped a child and terrorized him. No telling what he would’ve done to Jamal if they’d gotten away.

More emergency vehicles arrived and packed the area around them. It wouldn’t be hard to see Declan when he emerged since the swirling red and white lights lit up the darkness that had settled over the area. She had no idea where they were, only that they’d left Detroit miles ago headed southwest. She’d given Declan the phone, so she couldn’t pull up a map.

Jamal pointed at the windshield. “There he is.”

Declan was searching for them. She flashed her lights twice and he glanced around before jogging their way. He’d be exhausted from swimming and performing CPR, so she stayed behind the wheel.

He climbed into the passenger seat without complaining. “I snuck away when the detective went to talk to the crew who found the car.”

“They were able to find it below the water?”

“Yeah. The river is only fifteen feet or so deep. It settled on the floor.”

“What about Boomer?” Jamal asked. “We saw them take him away in an ambulance.”

“I couldn’t get his heart started. The trip to the hospital is a formality.”

“Blaze?”

“Someone spotted his body floating down stream. He’s gone.”

“If it wasn’t that deep, how come Blaze and Boomer didn’t get out?” Jamal asked.

“Maybe they couldn’t swim.”

“Boomer screamed like a little girl when we went over the cliff,” Jamal said and then slapped a hand over his mouth. “Sorry, Kenzie. I didn’t mean that to sound bad about girls. My brother used to say that to me all the time. It just slipped out.”

Kenzie’s heart broke for what the boy had endured in his young life. “You don’t have to apologize. Girls do scream pretty loudly.”

Declan slid his seatbelt over his chest and buckled it. “Let’s get out of here before they come looking for me.”

#

Declan closed his eyes and rested his head against the seat as Kenzie navigated onto the road. He was in great shape, so the physical exertion hadn’t phased him. Worry for Jamal’s safety, however, took a toll on him. That and swallowing half of the river.

A small hand tapped his shoulder. “Declan?”

“Hum?”

“Do you think we’re safe now?”

More than anything, he wanted to reassure the boy and tell him that he was and always would be safe. But just because Boomer and Blaze were dead, the threat wasn’t over. There were other Eighty-Sixers back in Chicago. Until they figured out why they wanted Jamal so desperately, he would be in danger.

“You don’t have to worry. I’ll protect you, Jamal.” He’d evaded the question, but he hoped his answer would reassure him. He would keep both Jamal and Kenzie safe if it were the last thing he did on earth.

Meanwhile, something nagged at him. “How did they find us in that room?” They hadn’t left once, and he’d destroyed his phone. They’d been thoroughly scanned at the police station so there were no trackers. “It’s like they traced us there.”

“Oh, my God.”

His hands shot out to the dashboard when Kenzie slammed on the brakes. She swung into the parking lot of a rural church and shifted into park before reaching into the back for her bag.

“It was me,” she cried, removing a slim silver object. “I checked my email, this morning and again before they arrived. I hadn’t checked for a while and with my phone gone, I used the computer.”

“They must’ve traced your IP address.”

She started to roll down the window, but he reached out a hand to stop her.

“You don’t have to get rid of it. Keep it powered off. They won’t be able to trace it.”

She shoved the laptop at him as she fumbled for the door handle with one hand while covering her mouth with the other. “I’m going to be sick.”

Declan was out his door and around the SUV just as she fell to her hands and knees and lost the contents of her stomach. He gathered her long raven hair and held it back until she had nothing left. She dropped down to sit.

“It’s all my fault.” Her face was wet with a mixture of sweat and tears. “I brought the danger right to our door.”

Before he could reassure her, Jamal spoke. “It’s not your fault, Kenzie. It’s the bad guys’ fault. That’s what you keep telling me.” He handed her a bottle of water.

She thanked him and rinsed her mouth.

“We’re all fine, Kenz,” Declan reassured her. “If we’re going to lay blame, then it’s on me. I should’ve asked if you had any other electronic devices, but I didn’t. That’s standard procedure and I messed up, big time.”

“Or me,” Jamal piped up. “I’m the one they’re after.”

“So, let’s all agree that none of us are to blame. Okay?”

She nodded but looked miserable.

He helped her up and then kept an arm around her as he guided her to the passenger seat and lifted her inside. She didn’t protest or insist on driving. He closed the door and then made sure Jamal was settled and buckled in before he climbed in and adjusted the seat.

“I’m not going to be much of a navigator,” she said. “I have no idea where we are.”

“I’ll make a call.”

He reached Noah and filled him in on the latest events. Noah asked if he knew what road they were on and he remembered seeing a sign a few miles back. He relayed the information and Noah told him he’d call him back soon with instructions on where to head for the night.

He started the SUV and shifted into drive. There was little traffic as he picked up speed. He was relieved now that they knew how they’d been tracked to the motel. He hadn’t been trying to make Kenzie feel better earlier—well, he had, but what he said was the truth. He should’ve thought about other electronic equipment. If the Eighty-Sixers and their Detroit counterparts were savvy enough to find them through tracking devices and torture, they’d surely be able to locate Kenzie’s computer IP address with no problem.

“Declan, can I call Peyton and tell her about how far I swam in the river?”

“Absolutely, once we get somewhere for the night. She’ll be proud of you.”

Ten minutes later, his cell buzzed. “It’s Noah. I’ll put it on speaker,” Kenzie said.

“Hey, Noah.”

“Hi, Noah!” Jamal called out from the back seat.

“Hey, Declan. Jamal, it’s good to hear your voice. We miss you.”

“I miss you guys, too.”

“Are you there too, Kenzie?”

Her eyes widened and shot to Declan. “Uh, yes. Hi.”

“BeBe arranged for a place for you to stay tonight. Keep heading down Route Twelve. I’ll text the coordinates for your GPS and also the security codes. It’s stocked, so you don’t need to stop for food and there should be toiletry items, too. The wi-fi is secure, so you can use the computers. Oh, and there’s a surprise for Jamal.”

“Really?” He was practically bouncing in his seat.

Declan had an idea of what it might be, but kept his mouth shut. “I’ll text you once we’re there.”

“Nice to talk to all of you,” Noah said before disconnecting.

Forty-five minutes later, Declan stopped in front of an imposing iron fence and rolled down the window. Kenzie read the security code to him and he entered it in the box. The gate slid open to allow them through and instantly closed behind them. He motored along a pine tree lined driveway to a clearing. The house was made of wood and stone and windows overlooking a lake that would surely be more dramatic in the daylight. It was nothing short of a mountain retreat. Something you would expect to find in Aspen or Vail, not off the beaten path in a remote town in southern Michigan.

“Who lives here?” Kenzie asked. “It looks like a show home.”

Declan pulled up to the garage and turned off the engine. “No clue.”

“Is it safe to get out?” Jamal asked.

If BeBe sent him here, it had to be secure. Still, he wasn’t taking chances with their lives. “Let me check it out first. Then I’ll come get you guys.”

He slid out, his eyes scanning the surroundings. All was quiet except for the tinkling of leaves and the faint sound of windchimes clamoring with the breeze. Trees swayed and ornamental grasses planted around the house fluttered like waving fingers. His honed senses told him it was safe here. No threats. He found the door Noah instructed him to use on the side of the house and keyed in the code from his phone. The house was large, so it took him a few minutes to clear it. He loped down a set of steps and found a shimmering blue pool enclosed in glass. His guess had been correct. Jamal would love it. He headed back up the stairs and turned on lights in the open concept kitchen and living room with a soaring stone fireplace and a wall of windows overlooking the lake.

Kenzie and Jamal were watching for him when he returned. He nodded and they opened their doors. “All clear,” he told them as he took the backpack from Jamal’s hands. He followed them inside, almost slamming into Kenzie when she stopped in her tracks.

“Wow.” Her head swiveled, taking in the luxurious touches and detailed architecture.

“It’s something.”

“Tell me again how BeBe found a place like this in the middle of nowhere.”

“I can’t because I have no idea.” Maybe COBRA Securities owned safe houses in every state. He wouldn’t be surprised.

Jamal came rushing back in the room, sliding to a stop on the hardwood floor. “This place is huge.” He tugged Declan’s hand and then grabbed Kenzie’s. “Come see what I found.”

Declan assumed he meant the pool, but he headed up the steps instead of down and led them through the set of double doors that stood open at the end of the hall. It was the massive master bedroom complete with lake view.

“This bed is ginormous. I know there are like a hundred bedrooms, but can we all sleep here? There’s enough room for all of us. I can sleep in the middle again.”

Jamal’s eyes were wide, not with wonder, but with worry. Declan had checked out this room in his initial scan and pictured rolling around on the huge mattress with Kenzie, making slow, easy love to her all night long. The bed would be so much more comfortable than the discount motel room floor. But, after the ordeal Jamal had been through, Declan would give him anything he asked.

“Sure, but first we need to rinse the river grime off our bodies.”

Jamal jumped up and down. “Yay! Was this the surprise Noah talked about?”

“It’s not. Why don’t we look at the rest of the house before we shower?”

“Okay.” Jamal took off while Declan and Kenzie shared a smile. When she slipped her hand in his as they followed Jamal’s bee-like path as he darted into every room, it felt natural. As if they’d been together for years instead of days.

Jamal finally found the stairs leading down. They heard his shout of excitement before they reached the bottom of the steps. “Look, it’s a pool. Can we go swimming?” He held his clasped hands in front of his face, looking like the sweetest angel Declan had ever seen, river sludge and all. “Pretty please.”

“Aren’t you tired from your swim in the river?” Kenzie asked him.

“You’d think, right? But this is good water. I’m not tired at all.”

“We don’t have swimsuits,” Declan pointed out.

“I can wear the shorts we bought. You, too.”

Jamal stripped off his shirt and started for the water, but Declan stopped him. “Let’s rinse off the river first so we don’t contaminate the pool.”

“Oh, good idea. Look.” He pointed to an open door. “There’s a bathroom. I’ll go get the backpack.” He disappeared before returning with the bag and closing himself inside.

Declan eyed Kenzie. “You up for a swim?”

She walked over to a rack of golf clubs and after a thorough examination, selected one. “I don’t have a swimsuit and before you say I can wear my underwear, it’s white and lacy and when wet, it would be like skinny dipping.”

Declan’s head fell back on his shoulders and he groaned as his lower body reacted predictably to the graphic image she’d described. “You’re killing me.”

She smiled cheekily as she took a practice swing.

“You play golf?” He needed a distraction to cool his libido.

She placed a ball on a tee on the putting green next to the pool. “Sure do. I learned so I could schmooze with clients.” She expertly gripped the club and adjusted her stance. After taking a couple more practice swings, she stepped up to the ball and tapped it into one of the holes.

“Impressive.”

She smiled. “My short game’s pretty good. It’s my long game that sucks.”

Jamal came barreling out and with a whoop, cannonballed into the pool, sending up a giant spray of water. He surfaced giggling. “Come in guys.”

“I need to shower first.” He turned to Kenzie. “You’ll keep an eye on him?”

“Of course. You don’t even have to ask.”

He sidled closer. “Maybe after Jamal falls asleep, I can coax you into mutual skinny dipping.” With a waggle of his brows, he headed for a shower. He felt dirty, both inside and out. The gallons of river water he swallowed couldn’t have been great for his stomach, but there wasn’t much he could do about that unless he could dig up some liquor in the house. Alcohol killed germs, didn’t it? Even if it did, he wouldn’t imbibe when working. Though he wasn’t getting paid, he considered this a job. Probably his most important ever since it was his responsibility to keep Jamal and Kenzie safe and find out why the Eighty-Sixers wanted to get their hands on Jamal.

After lathering up with the soap and scrubbing his hair with a bottle of shampoo on a ledge in the shower, he rinsed off and then stepped onto a fluffy white rug. He found his shorts and slid them up his legs. He left the bag in case Kenzie wanted to shower. Though she hadn’t gone under the water, she’d waded in and might want to rinse off.

He finger combed his hair and opened the door. Kenzie was still practicing shots while Jamal was playing with an inflatable unicorn, if he wasn’t mistaken.

With a roar, he joined Jamal with a gigantic cannonball that made the boy guffaw in delighted laughter.

#

“Maybe after Jamal falls asleep, I can coax you into mutual skinny dipping.”

Declan’s words, issued in a low, husky rumble, kept replaying in Kenzie’s head, followed by visuals that sent her pulse skyrocketing. The man’s sex appeal was off the charts.

As she lined up a shot, she watched the two playing together, enjoying the joyous squeals coming from the little boy. He’d been through so much and they still weren’t safe. But for this short time, he was blissfully happy. She aimed for one of the holes farther away. The ball rolled around the lip and stayed on the green. She walked over and tapped it in. As she reached for the ball, she tried but failed to keep her eyes off Declan. When he’d walked out of the bathroom without his shirt, her tongue almost hit the ground. She’d never tire of gazing at his naked torso in all its masculine glory. As her aunt Franny would’ve said, he was a dreamboat. Ripped with not an ounce of fat. His abs looked like he belonged on a billboard on Times Square modeling the latest in men’s underwear. And he was so good with Jamal. A natural. And the boy clearly adored him. Jamal had a serious case of hero worship going on. He emulated every move Declan made.

She was terribly afraid she was becoming hopelessly devoted to him, too.

As they frolicked in the pool, she showered and then made her way up the steps to the large kitchen and walk-in pantry. She found a bottle of Cabernet chilling in a stocked wine cooler and opened it to pour herself a glass while she put together a dinner of boxed macaroni and cheese, knowing it was Jamal’s favorite, along with a plate of sliced vegetables and dip. She wasn’t a great cook. Living alone in New York City, she survived on take-out food and microwave dinners when she wasn’t wining and dining a client. More often than not, she skipped meals altogether. Breakfast was usually a protein bar as she headed out the door or a smoothie at the gym. Unless someone brought her a salad or sandwich, she usually worked right through lunch hour.

She’d loved her job. It was fast-paced and exciting, with the opportunity to meet creative and talented individuals. She never thought she’d be a casualty of the #MeToo movement, especially when she’d done nothing wrong except being born female. But now that she’d been away, she was stunned to realize she didn’t miss it anymore. She worked long hours with virtually no free time. She couldn’t even remember her last date. Mark, Mick, something that started with an M. He’d blabbered on through the entire meal about his portfolio and by the time the check arrived, she’d had enough.

A few weeks ago, she’d have said she loved living in New York City, the most electrifying, vibrant, diverse and dynamic city in the world. But she didn’t miss her tiny apartment that was barely big enough for a bed but cost an arm and a leg each month. Nor did she long for the crush of people on the streets and subway, the commute, or the endless traffic.

Misogynistic Jared had actually done her a favor by having her canned for speaking up about his unwanted advances. The door closing on her old life opened a window into a new one. She wasn’t sure what it would be yet, but she was the architect of her own life. It was hers to do as she pleased.

Pickens Publishing wanting her back was flattering, but she’d made up her mind. She wasn’t going back to her old job or accepting either offer from the rival publishers. If the company folded, it wasn’t her fault. She’d simply stood up for herself. Jared made his own bed, now he and his father had to lie in it.

She’d clear out her meager belongings in her teeny apartment and then decide what she wanted to do next. It would’ve been nice to spend a few weeks at her aunt’s condo to write, but that wasn’t possible now. What she really wanted to do was to stay with Declan and Jamal. They’d become a trio. A team. When they discovered why the gang was after Jamal and stopped them, it would devastate her to walk away.

She set the table in the breakfast nook with a wraparound bench and when the mac and cheese was ready, she called for the boys. When Declan and Jamal appeared, they sat down and proceeded to inhale the pot of pasta. Declan did a good job on the veggies, too. She’d nibbled as she cooked, so she wasn’t hungry. Her stomach was still unsettled to realize she was the one who brought the gang to their motel room door. Though Declan and Jamal both tried to relieve her of the guilt, she hadn’t forgiven herself yet.

Declan and Jamal each retreated to a bathroom to shower off the chlorine and then they gathered in the great room to watch television. With hundreds of channels to choose from on the satellite dish, Jamal finally settled on an animated movie about dogs. Kenzie offered Declan a glass of wine, but he declined.

Five minutes into the movie, Jamal was out like a light. Declan carried him upstairs while she turned off the television and made sure the doors were locked and the alarm set. When she went upstairs, Declan had placed Jamal in the center of the bed and stood at the open balcony doors leading to a small deck. She was drawn to him like a magnet.

Two padded lounge chairs were arranged to take advantage of the view. Once they were seated, she wished she’d brought her drink. It was a paradisiac setting to enjoy a glass of wine with the man of her dreams.

#

Declan glanced over at Kenzie. He’d spent two days with her and slept with her, but he didn’t know anything about her except that she was so good with Jamal and she was strong and brave and heroic. And phenomenal in bed. He had the sudden urge to find out everything about her, from the name of her first-grade teacher to her favorite color.

“What brought you to Detroit from New York?”

“My aunt. She owned the condo next to LaTonya and Jamal. She died a few weeks ago.”

“I’m sorry.”

Kenzie was silent for a moment, her gaze trained on the lake. “Me, too.”

“You were close?”

“Very. She was remarkable. She raised me after my parents died.”

“What happened to her, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Brain aneurysm.”

“That’s tough.”

More quietness settled around them. He finally broached the subject he’d been meaning to bring up with her. “I appreciate what you’ve done for Jamal. You kept him safe and I can’t tell you how much that means to me.”

“He’s an amazing kid.”

“He is. But now that I’m here, if you need to get back to New York, I can take it from here.”

She glanced over at him. “Trying to get rid of me again?”

“No, absolutely not. But I don’t want you losing your job or anything.” He didn’t even know what she did for a living.

She laughed bitterly. “Too late.”

His brows lifted. “They fired you for being gone? Where did you work?”

She shook her head. “No that wasn’t the reason. I was an editor for Pickens Publishing. They fired me before I left. I was a #MeToo movement casualty.”

His hackles were instantly alert. “You were sexually harassed?”

“I was. I spoke up about my boss’s unwanted, inappropriate advances and they canned me.”

“Isn’t that illegal?”

“Yeah, but when the perp is the son of the founder, he can apparently get away with anything.”

He hissed. “That’s not fair.”

She smiled. “It’s not. Nepotism at its finest, but they offered me a generous severance package.”

His fists clenched. “Did he physically assault you?” Because if he did, after Declan made sure Jamal was safe from the Eighty-Sixers clutches, he was hopping on a plane to NYC to kick some serious ass. He was a Marine. He could make the man hurt in ways he’d never dreamed.

“Not really. Suggestive language and innuendos, scheduling late meetings where it was only us, some groping.”

He sat up. “He groped you?”

“He tried. Most of the attempts were brushes that he called,” she made air quotes, “accidental or incidental contact.”

“You shouldn’t have had to put up with that.”

“Believe me, I know. I avoided him as much as possible, but he grew bold and grabbed me under the table when we were meeting with a client. That was the last straw. I marched straight to human resources and filed a complaint. They fired me the next morning.”

Yep, he was booking a flight to the Big Apple. The pervert would be wearing casts on both hands, possibly one or two of his legs, for the next few months.

“When my clients found out I was gone, they bailed. Now the company is reeling. Authors whom I didn’t work with are leaving, too. They heard about the mass exodus and didn’t want to be a part of a sinking ship. The company is trying desperately to lure me back.”

“No way,” he said vehemently. “If anything, you should sue them.” He paused. “Are you going back?”

“Only if the devil and Osama Bin Laden ice skate down Broadway holding hands.”

He smiled and translated, “When hell freezes over.”

She smiled back. “Exactly. They didn’t stand behind me when I needed them, so I feel no obligation to bail them out now.”

“Good for you.”

“The last message I read indicated that they would have to file bankruptcy.”

“Serves them right.”

They sat in silence for several minutes. He really wanted to carry her to the big bed and strip her naked before kissing every inch of her smooth skin. But this was nice, too. Just talking. Getting to know her. The more he discovered, the more he liked. She captivated him.

“When do you start your new job?” she asked.

“In a couple of days. I wanted to spend some time with my brother Eric before I moved away. We haven’t seen each other much the last few years.”

“How come?”

“I was in the military. When I was honorably discharged, I planned on spending time with him but that’s when I hooked up with Noah Addison and COBRA Securities.”

“What does Eric do in Chicago?”

“He’s an accountant and amateur stockbroker. He’s a genius with numbers.”

“You sound proud,” she said with a smile in her voice.

“I am. Very proud of him.”

“Is he older or younger than you?”

“He’s younger. He came to the foster home I was living in when he was about Jamal’s age. I was two years older but already a veteran of the system.” Why did he tell her that? He needed to change the subject. Talking about his childhood wasn’t something he did—ever. He tried to block out as much as possible. Thankfully, Jamal saved him.

“Declan? Kenzie?”

He sat up and turned around in the chair. “We’re here.”

Jamal blinked sleepily at them. “I woke up and you weren’t there. I was scared something happened to you.”

“We’re coming now,” Kenzie said as she pushed up from her chair.

The bathroom featured double sinks, so they each brushed their teeth at the same time like a married couple. Jamal was sitting up in bed when Declan crawled under the covers. Kenzie followed him a few minutes later and he turned out the light.

“Can you finish the story about the prince and the queen and the ogre?”

“Sure,” Kenzie agreed.

Declan settled under the covers and listened to the rhythm of her voice until the world faded away and a striking black-haired queen invaded his dreams.

#

Eric Bishop parked in his designated spot in the condo lot and turned off the engine. The drive home had been a long one with an accident stopping traffic on the freeway for over an hour. He used the time to catch up with emails and the overseas markets. Still, he was getting tired of the long commute. His condo was a sturdy, dependable stone building in a decent part of town. Nothing fancy, no bells or whistles. He didn’t need them since he worked so much. Declan had been trying to get him to move to a nicer building for years, but he liked his place just fine.

Now that Declan was leaving again, Eric felt at loose ends. It’d been nice to have his brother living with him again, even for a short time. He wasn’t lonely, per se. He dated. He went for drinks with coworkers. But Declan was his family. His only family.

He could do his job from anywhere and had even been considering striking out on his own. He knew of several clients who’d follow him. Maybe it was time for him to leave Chicago behind and move with Declan. They hadn’t talked about the possibility, but he didn’t think Declan would mind.

He noticed the light over the door was broken out again as he approached his unit. It happened from time to time, usually from kids throwing rocks. He was just about to insert his key in the lock when footsteps behind him had him turning.

“Are you Eric Bishop?”

“Who’s asking?”

“Me.”

He didn’t have time to react when something slammed into his head and the world went black.