The sound of gunfire brought Kaleb out of a sound sleep. For a moment, he thought he was in Afghanistan, then his gaze landed on the hallway of the safe house, and he remembered he was there to protect the residents staying there.
Sierra was growling, staring in the direction of the living room. He leaped up and ran down the hallway, listening as several women and children cried out in alarm. “Charlotte? Is anyone hurt?”
“Just scared.” Her response wasn’t easy to hear amidst the crying. “Shh, it’s okay. We’re fine. Let’s gather in the kitchen, okay?”
He eased past the women and children who were hurrying past to seek shelter in the small kitchen. He moved into the living room. The shattered window let in a chill, and he scowled at the glass shards covering the furniture and the floor.
“I can’t believe he did this.” Charlotte came to stand beside him, looking pale and grim. “Not to get inside but to scare us.”
“Yeah.” Kaleb didn’t like it. “Did you call Grimes?”
“I did. He said he’d come as soon as possible.” She didn’t sound overly enthused with the response, and frankly, he couldn’t blame her.
“In the meantime, I’ll get those two windows boarded up.”
She shook her head. “He’ll just shoot at the boards too. We’ll need to find a new place to go as soon as possible.”
“I have some money we can use,” Kaleb said. “Contact your donor again. The biggest issue is that we’ll need a ride, something large enough to carry sixteen people.”
“We’ve chartered a bus in the past, but that won’t help until we have a new location.” Charlotte sighed. “Two of our residents were scheduled to be relocated today. There’s a private car coming at noon to take them to a long-term location.”
“Fourteen people, then.” Kaleb glanced at her. “I’m still going to board those windows up. If nothing else, it will make your residents feel safe and provide some warmth. You came up with a two-by-four to fix the door frame, do you have plywood too?”
“Yes. I can show you.” She led the way down the hallway to a room that held all sorts of building supplies.
“Why do you have all this?” He tucked tools into his pocket, a hammer, nails, and a handsaw, then picked up a small sheet of plywood. “Seems unusual.”
“They made some accommodations to this space, and I asked them to leave whatever they had left over behind.” Charlotte shrugged. “I knew from experience it’s good to be prepared to make repairs.”
“This kind of thing happens often?” He stared at her.
“Our safe houses aren’t often breached, no, but damage to walls or doors from anger or frustration? Yeah.”
Understandable to a certain extent. He carried everything into the living room and stared up at the high windows. “I didn’t see a ladder in there.”
“We have a step stool.” Charlotte left the room, returning a few minutes later with a decent-sized step stool. “You’re tall enough that this should work.”
“Thanks.” He went to work, mentally reviewing their next steps. Renting a bus wouldn’t be difficult, but getting everyone out of here to another location without this guy following might be tricky. He tried to come up with an alternative location, knowing any of the larger homes able to accommodate this many people would be super expensive.
Kaleb didn’t mind using his personal funds. One thing about being a Navy SEAL off on deployments for years at a time was that he hadn’t spent much of his earnings.
While he boarded up the windows, Charlotte and Milly swept up the glass. He could hear the murmur of voices from the kitchen, wishing the women and children didn’t have to be so frightened in a place that should have been safe.
He really wanted to get this guy. If there was a way to relocate these women and kids without tipping him off, Kaleb considered returning here to set a trap for him.
Yet he didn’t want to leave Charlotte and the others alone and vulnerable in a new place either.
He decided to worry about that once they’d been relocated. When he finished covering the broken window, he put the tools away. Hearing a knock at the door, he gestured for Charlotte and Milly to stay back so that he and Sierra could answer. He set the mattress up on its side, then tentatively opened the door.
Detective Grimes appeared surprised to see him. “Tyson? What are you doing here?”
“Protecting the residents.” He opened the door and gestured for the detective to come in. “Good thing, too, considering how this guy didn’t wait long to strike again.”
“You saw him?” Grimes asked.
“No, but who else would shoot out the windows?” Kaleb took a moment to glance around the area before closing and locking the door. He highly doubted the dark-haired guy would linger nearby, that would be too risky.
Although shooting the windows during the day had been gutsy. Almost as if he wasn’t worried about getting caught.
That thought gave him pause. Did this guy have connections of some sort? Was he wealthy? Knew people in power?
He decided to talk to Charlotte about that later. For now, he stood off to the side with Sierra, listening as Charlotte and Milly spoke to Detective Grimes about the sequence of events.
Kaleb didn’t have anything to add, considering he’d been zonked out when the incident had taken place. Good thing no one had gotten hurt, or he’d feel guilty. At least he’d managed to get about three hours of shut-eye, which wasn’t bad.
“Take a look at these photos, let me know if anyone looks familiar.” Grimes displayed two sheets of paper, each containing six mug shots.
Kaleb moved forward to look over Charlotte’s shoulder. He took his time looking at each face, but he didn’t recognize any of them as the guy he’d scared off the previous night.
“I’m sorry.” Charlotte shook her head. “None of these men is the one I saw earlier today.”
Grimes appeared disappointed. “Okay, we’ll keep trying.”
Kaleb wished they had something more to go on. “Are some of these men the abusers of the women here?”
“Three of them, yes.” Grimes shrugged. “I’m still working on the others.”
He swallowed against a surge of frustration. “We need that information soon; these women are clearly in danger.”
“I’m aware of the danger, and I am doing my best.” A hint of defensiveness laced Grimes’s tone. “Trust me, I’m taking these attacks seriously.”
“I know you are.” Kaleb blew out a sigh. “We’ll likely be moving somewhere else later today, but I’ll give you my number so that we can keep in touch.”
Grimes nodded. “I understand, that would be good, thanks.” He hesitated, then added, “I’m working solo as my partner ended up in the hospital with gallbladder issues. I have access to more resources, though, if needed.”
“I understand.” After exchanging numbers, Kaleb escorted the detective to the door. When he turned back, he found Emma hovering in the hallway, smiling flirtatiously.
“I’m so glad you’re here to keep us safe.” When Emma took a step forward, he instinctively backed up. “It’s nice to have a big strong man looking out for us.”
He figured he was old enough to be her father, but that didn’t seem to bother her much. “You’re welcome, and I’m glad to be here. If you’ll excuse me, I have some things to discuss with Charlotte.”
Disappointment flashed across her features. “Oh, sure.”
Emma reminded him so much of his first wife, Blanche, it was almost comical. He skirted around the young woman, relieved to find Charlotte in the kitchen. Milly was at the stove, cooking something that smelled delicious. His stomach rumbled, and he flushed when Charlotte glanced at him.
“You mentioned the transportation for two of your residents will be here at noon?” When she nodded, he said, “It’s eleven thirty now, is there something you need from me to help with that?”
“No, Jessie and Maria are packed and ready to go.” She offered a wan smile. “I’m sure after everything that’s happened over the past twenty-four hours, they’ll be happy to leave.”
“Is there a way to move up the timeline for the other residents to be relocated?”
“No, we generally have to wait for spaces to open up.” Charlotte’s expression turned serious. “There are more women and children needing protection than places to house them.”
“Okay, then let’s find a new place to go, even for a few days.” He gestured to the computer. “I’m not an expert, but I can try searching for nearby short-term rentals.”
“I found two possible places, but they are really expensive.” Charlotte sighed. “My private donor is trying to raise additional funds.”
“Will you let me take a look?”
In answer, she turned the computer screen toward him. The first place was a two-story house located in a residential area. The price tag even for a week-long stay was jaw-dropping, but he had more than enough to cover it. He was more worried about keeping a residential home secure. Lots of windows and more than one entrance were problematic.
The second property was more expensive, but it was also bigger and located farther outside of town. It had six bedrooms and sleeping space for fifteen people. Best of all, it had a security system. “This one for sure. I’ll pay for a week-long stay and the bus to get us there.”
“I can’t ask you to do that,” Charlotte protested.
“Why not? You take money from donors all the time. Consider this my donation to the cause.”
Charlotte frowned.
“He’s right, Char, and you know it,” Milly said. “Once the police catch this guy, we can use the funds we’ve been promised to fix the windows.”
“Please let me help you,” he urged, turning the screen back toward her. “This place has a security system.”
“It’s so nice and fancy,” Charlotte blurted. “It has a heated pool! I don’t want these women to get the idea that all of our safe houses will be as nice as this one. And what if one of the kids break something? I mean, this place looks like something a Hollywood movie star would own.”
“I’ll take care of the extra cost if something happens, but I think you should give your residents more credit. They’re not going to think this is how the average person lives. But to stay here for a week might make them more determined to get their life back on track.”
“Or make them more frustrated with their lot in life,” Charlotte said wearily. Then she threw up her hands. “Okay, fine. One week. But if Detective Grimes hasn’t found the dark-haired guy by then, we’ll have to return here until my anonymous donor comes up with another safe house.”
“Sounds good.” He quickly made the arrangements to pay for the luxurious house, then searched for transportation. As he did that, there was another knock at the door. He started to rise, but Charlotte shook her head.
“I received a text, it’s the transportation for Jessie and Maria.” She hurried out to get the women.
He continued making their travel arrangements.
“You’re a good man, Kaleb,” Milly said softly. “I’m glad these women have the chance to see what a real man acts like.”
“Ah, thanks, but most men don’t abuse women and children.”
“Unfortunately, the women here have been exposed to those who do. And often by more than one man in their life.”
Kaleb shook his head, wishing things were different. He sent up a silent prayer for God to continue watching over those in need, especially women and children in difficult situations, then made the final payment for the charter bus that would be there in three hours.
He only hoped they could get onto the bus and away from there without the dark-haired man seeing them.
Charlotte couldn’t explain why she felt guilty over taking Kaleb’s money. Normally, she gladly accepted any and all charity. Beggars could not afford to be choosy after all.
Yet this felt different. More personal. Maybe because of the ridiculous attraction she felt toward him.
Her problem, not his. Kaleb may just be one of the nicest guys she’d ever met, but that didn’t mean she had to drool over the man. Besides, she hadn’t even known him for twenty-four hours. She’d dated Jerry for six months before she agreed to marry him. And it was only then that she’d been on the receiving end of his violent temper.
This wasn’t about her, it was about keeping the women and children safe.
She told herself to shake it off, but it wasn’t easy. Watching Emma flirt with him had made her want to yank the girl away, shove her into the closest bedroom, and lock the door behind her.
“Charlotte?” Hearing Kaleb’s low, husky voice had her spinning around so fast she fell into the mattress he’d propped against the wall.
“What is it?” She hoped he didn’t notice how flustered she was.
“The charter bus will be here in three hours. I need you to tell the women to get ready to move. And we need to pack up the food in the kitchen too.”
“After lunch,” Milly said from the kitchen. “The spaghetti is ready.”
“Three hours is plenty of time,” she assured Kaleb. “These women usually don’t have much when they come here. That’s the reason I keep a large box of spare clothing and small toiletries in the spare room.”
“I’ll grab that box and any others you have ready to go,” Kaleb offered.
“After lunch,” she said. “Milly will be upset if you don’t eat.”
“I’ll wait until after everyone else has eaten,” Kaleb insisted. Without waiting for her to respond, he turned and went through the living room to the spare bedroom.
“That’s a true gentleman for you,” Milly said as she dished out plates of spaghetti for their residents.
Charlotte could tell Milly was enamored of Kaleb, which was fine, but they shouldn’t become dependent on him. It wasn’t like they’d have their own personal bodyguard indefinitely. Once they were moved to their new safe house, she figured he’d hit the road, continuing his search for Ava Rampart.
In the short time it took the women and children to eat, Kaleb replaced the mattress on her bed and stacked several boxes near the door. Sierra followed him as he moved from room to room. The man and dog were clearly a team, and if she didn’t have women and children dependent on her, she’d consider getting a dog of her own. She pushed that thought aside as being completely impractical under these circumstances.
As their residents made their way to their respective rooms to pack their things, Kaleb and Sierra joined her and Milly in the kitchen.
“Ladies first,” he said, gesturing to the stove.
“There’s plenty of food,” Milly huffed, clearly annoyed at the inference that she hadn’t cooked enough to feed an army. “Sit down, young man, and don’t give me any lip.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Kaleb instantly dropped into the closest chair. Sierra stretched out on the floor beside him.
Charlotte smiled. It was funny to watch Kaleb bow down to Milly as if he was following orders from a senior officer. But once they all had their plates of food, Kaleb cleared his throat.
“I’d like to say grace.”
Milly lifted her brow, glanced at Charlotte, then said, “I’d like that.”
“Dear Lord, we ask You to bless this food, we thank You for keeping us safe in Your care and ask that You continue to protect us from those who seek us harm. Amen.”
“Amen,” Milly echoed.
“Amen,” Charlotte added when they both looked at her expectantly. She wasn’t accustomed to praying in general, but it didn’t feel as awkward as she’d anticipated.
Yet she didn’t really believe God was the reason they’d remained safe throughout these attacks. She depended on herself and most recently now on Kaleb’s expertise.
“This is delicious, Milly,” Kaleb said after taking a big bite. “Can’t remember the last time I had homemade spaghetti.”
“Thank you, Kaleb.” Milly beamed at his praise. “I’m grateful God sent you here to help us. Feeding you is the least I can do.”
Charlotte was unreasonably annoyed with the mutual fan club going on here. “Kaleb, do you have any other leads on where to find Ava? I’m sure you’re chomping at the bit to get back on her trail soon.”
“I don’t have another lead on Ava,” Kaleb admitted. Then he eyed her curiously. “Charlotte, I’m not going anywhere until I know you and the others are safe.”
“And if they don’t find and arrest him?” She waved her fork. “You can’t uproot your life for us.”
“I’m pretty sure I can do whatever I like,” Kaleb pointed out dryly. “I’m not in the navy any longer.”
She flushed. “That wasn’t what I meant. Your kindness is appreciated, Kaleb, but we know this is temporary. If you did get a new lead on Ava’s location, you’d continue your search, wouldn’t you?”
He paused, then slowly nodded. “Maybe. If Nico or one of our other teammates couldn’t get there to follow up first.”
“Exactly.” She caught Milly’s frown and knew she’d disappointed the woman she loved like a mother. But it was important to her, and really to all their residents, to understand that having Kaleb here protecting them was not a permanent solution.
“The bus will be here at three o’clock?” Milly asked, changing the subject. “I hope I’m ready.”
“I’ll help you get everything packed, don’t worry,” Kaleb assured her. “I don’t want to take too long getting everything stored on the bus. Better we get in and out of here as quickly as possible.”
Charlotte knew he was just as concerned as she was about the gunman potentially getting a glimpse of the bus parked outside. It would be awful if they went through all of this just to have the dark-haired guy follow the bus to their new location.
“We’ll be ready to go,” she said firmly. “The women know what to do.”
Even as she spoke, a few of the women brought their suitcases out from their respective rooms to the hallway, stacking them neatly beside the boxes Kaleb had placed there.
Kaleb ate his meal in record time, then stood and carried his plate to the sink. “I’m assuming I can use the other empty box in the spare room, right? I’ll start packing while you finish.”
“That’s fine.” Was the man always like this? Jumping into chores with enthusiasm? Charlotte knew her lack of sleep was likely making her crabby, so she tried to smile at Milly. “He’s not one to sit around doing nothing, that’s for sure.”
“You could do worse than a man like that, Charlotte,” Milly said in a scolding tone. “You should be nicer to him. No need to be all prickly.”
“I’m not.” She glanced over her shoulder to make sure Kaleb wasn’t within hearing distance. “Come on, Milly. A man like Kaleb Tyson could have any woman on the planet. There’s no reason to think he’d be interested in someone like me. Besides, I don’t have the time or energy to become involved in a relationship. I’m too busy sheltering the women and children who need me.”
“You deserve to have a life of your own, Charlotte.” Milly finished her lunch and hustled over to begin doing the dishes. “And if you ask me, burying yourself here is just a handy excuse to avoid being hurt again.”
She was about to argue when Kaleb returned to the kitchen carrying a large box. He set it on the kitchen table. “Do you think the food will fit in here?”
“We’ll make it fit.” She quickly finished her spaghetti and cleared what was left on the table.
For the next hour, they worked together gathering all the food and staples they’d amassed over the year they’d been there. It didn’t take long, but Charlotte still felt depressed at the need to move at all. She liked their current location since the building was closer to the areas that used their services the most.
Abuse victims crossed all lines, race, gender, ethnicity, and economic status. But over the years, she’d noticed the lower income abuse victims tended to be the ones who needed a safe house in the middle of the night.
Those with more money could usually escape to friends or family. If they chose to do so at all.
“Hey, hopefully this is just temporary,” Kaleb said, apparently reading her expression. “I have an idea on how to find this guy. Trust me, okay?”
“I do.” The words left her lips without her realizing what she was saying. Trust wasn’t something she gave freely, especially not to a man she barely knew.
Yet her instincts told her Kaleb was different. Not just because he believed in God and prayed before meals but because he’d gone out of his way to protect them. Sitting outside in the cold all night long? There wasn’t a man she knew who would volunteer to do something like that.
He might really be, as Milly had said, one of the good ones.
Thanks to Kaleb’s help, they were packed and ready to go well before the three o’clock time frame.
The bus was sleek, black in color, and had tinted windows. Nothing like the school bus she’d used the last time they’d moved. Frankly, she didn’t even want to know how much Kaleb had paid for it. The women filed out of the safe house and onto the bus without complaint while Kaleb stored all the boxes and suitcases in the cargo section.
To Charlotte’s surprise, they were ready to leave in less than ten minutes. Kaleb disappeared inside, left a light on, then returned, locking the door of the safe house behind him. After climbing onto the bus with Sierra at his heels, he handed her the key.
“Let’s go,” he told the driver.
The driver nodded and closed the doors. The bus slowly rumbled forward, moving away from the safe house.
Seeing movement along the side of the building across the street, she grabbed Kaleb’s muscled arm. “Do you see that man standing by the building? He’s wearing a knit hat, so I can’t see the color of his hair.”
“Stop the bus,” he ordered.
The confused driver hit the brake, hard. “What’s wrong?”
“Let me out.” Kaleb glanced at him impatiently. “Hurry!”
“Wait,” Charlotte protested.
“I’ll find you later, now go! Hurry!” Kaleb shot over his shoulder as he jumped off the bus. Sierra followed.
“Please go,” Charlotte told the driver. He closed the door, put the bus in gear, and pulled back into the street.
She watched as man and dog raced across the street in the direction of the building where she’d seen the man hiding in the shadows.
And for the first time in her life, she prayed for God to protect Kaleb and Sierra from harm.