She shrugged. “Dev made me think about it, and I suppose it could be someone I found guilty of criminal doings. A couple of builders threatened me in the past, but I didn’t take them seriously. Maybe I should have.”
“Exactly.” Dev perched on the arm of an overstuffed chair. “You’re no fool, sis. You can see it would be safer for Kinsley to stay at the compound than in an unsecure location like this one.”
“First, thanks for the compliment. They’re so rare, I should probably write it down.” Jada laughed, but it quickly died away, and she focused on Kinsley again. “As much as it pains me to say this, he might be right. I could never forgive myself if something terrible happened to you here.”
Kinsley freed her hands from Jada’s. “But what about our big reunion party?”
“It’s not worth remembering the old days if you were to lose your life.”
“Dev said he could stay in the cabin next door. Don’t you think that would be safe enough? After all, how could this person have found me here? And if there’s any hint that the creepisnearby, we can move to the compound.” Kinsley sat forward. “Please. It really would mean a lot to me to stay here.”
Jada looked up at Dev. “That seems like a good compromise to me.”
“Yeah, well,” he said. “It’s not a very good compromise for me. I’ll agree to it if you let me stay here with the two of you.”
Kinsley lifted her chin and eyed him. “You can stay here as long as you don’t interfere with our time together. But don’t think for a minute that you can decide what I do.”
Yeah, her statement left no doubt she thought he was being bossy again. If he wanted her to run in the other direction, he was doing a really good job of it. “You’re right. Your life is your life. I don’t have any business interfering with it. Other than you’re an important family friend. I care about you not getting hurt, and I have experience in law enforcement, so I know the safest route to take here.”
“I get that,” she said. “I appreciate your concern, and going forward, I promise to listen to you if there’s any hint of danger.”
“Then that’s all I can ask for.” Of her, but he could ask a whole lot more from his team and God. And he would be in prayer from now until when Kinsley went home safe and sound. “You two go ahead and start this reunion. I need to step outside for a minute.”
“Running away from your past?” Jada laughed.
If he was running from anything, which he wasn’t doing right now, he would be running away from the woman who captivated him.
Outside, where the air hadn’t improved at all, he jogged down the steps. At least the smoke clouded the moon, or it would be hanging large and bright over the lake, creating a romantic atmosphere. Something he had no business thinking about right now. Because it also created light for any assailant to be able to find his way through the campground to Kinsley.
He dug out his phone and dialed his brother, Colin. “Don’t say anything. Just listen.” Dev shared the afternoon events. “Jada and Kinsley are both at the Bluebird Cabin. I need you over here ASAP for an outside protection detail.”
“You got it.”
Dev knew he could count on his older brother. He never disappointed. “I also wouldn’t turn down help from one of the other guys to man the gate if you’ll arrange that. And I need you to pack a bag for me. I’m staying here tonight, and I’ll need fresh clothes in the morning. I’m not leaving this property as long as Kinsley is staying here.”
