While I follow, my spidey senses tingle. My mind replays the grainy footage of the bastard who threatened the girl in the restaurant.
I don’t believe in coincidences.
“I spied John Bourdin last night in the woods.” I keep my tone steady, but the tension in my shoulders gives me away. “Transporting Farsi-speaking men across the border.”
Kade snorts, shaking his head as he pours two cups of joe. “Fish and Wildlife, my ass.”
“Funny enough, I’m only supposed to count noncitizens.” Having stayed up all night, I gladly take the offered stimulant.
As I drink deep, he exhales sharply, scrubbing a hand down his face. “Jesus.”
My head shakes side to side. “I don’t think He has anything to do with this. I only want to ensure the girl is safe before taking action.”
A flicker of respect shifts his expression. Setting down his cup, he strides to the fridge. There, he stops, grunts, and shoves it aside. My muscles tense, my hand hovering near my concealed weapon.
Holy fuck. He has a locked steel door embedded in the wall. Kade punches in a code. One soft beep later, the latch disengages. He swings it open, revealing an arsenal that would make a doomsday prepper jealous. Alongside pistols, shotguns, and a high-end compound bow, there’re knives capable of skinning a bear.
“Expecting WWIII?” My attention locks onto the military-grade rifles lining the back wall.
Kade doesn’t blink. “Aren’t you?”
His certainty reminds me of the survivalist group I helped extract Axel’s wife from last fall. They held the same determined stare in their eyes—people who’d decided the world was going to hell and needed to be ready.
I sip my scalding hot coffee, allowing the bitter brew to twist my innards. Mack might be safe for now. However, her security could change at any moment.
Eyes on the dangerous man, I lean back in my chair. “I’m more of an optimist.”
“So am I. I’m also a realist and a just-in-case kind of guy.” When Kade raises his brows, I recognize Kelly’s unwavering, determined jaw.
I let a slow whistle slide through my teeth. This conversation is not going as well as I planned. “You need to tell your sister to stand down.”
As his left eye twitches, a jaw muscle jumps. “I hate to tell you, but she’s already in it. Deep.”
“If she continues to ignore things, she should be fine.”
His nostrils flare. “That’s what you think? If so, you’re dumber than I thought.”
“So, fill me in.” While I wait for him to decide, Kade checks the clock.
“This is going to take more than coffee. Mack needs a ride to school in an hour.” Hopping up, he pulls a bottle of Kentucky bourbon from the top of the fridge.
My mug out, I nod. “Okay, I’m listening.”
After splashing amber liquid in both cups, he runs his hand over his closely cropped hair. “It was last summer. Dante, her boss, called me to the hospital. Kelly had been beaten up. Bad.”
His neck muscles twitch while he takes a beat to recover. “When I asked what the hell happened, no one would tell me shit. All I know is she was never the same.”
As he speaks, I grip the coffee cup so hard, it’s a miracle it doesn’t break apart.
“I waited until she came home, then pushed. Told her she needed to process it. We shared words.” He snorts bitterly, mouth twisted.
“Suffering from PTSD myself, I told her not to bottle it up. Wouldn’t you know, she threw it back in my face—pot calling the kettle and so forth.” He allows the heavy silence to stretch between us while my pulse thunders in my ears.
“The doctor wouldn’t say, but I suspect… well… more.” His gaze lifts to my face, lizard eyes gauging my reaction.
Sucker punched with a sledgehammer, I swallow hard. My memory flashes to the first time I kissed her. She didn’t flinch, didn’t pull away…I thought it was normal—her taking control, setting the pace. Thank God I didn’t push.
Kade exhales roughly. “Whatever happened, she doesn’t want to appear vulnerable, and professionally?” He shakes his head. “She’s got way too much pride.”
