14. Isla
14
ISLA
“I’m just saying, you scared the crap out of Bowie. You can’t tell people you’re hunting humans.”
I grabbed my bag from my closet and started packing for the night.
“He was in the military,” IKE argued. “Why is it not okay to say that?”
“Because most people have some kind of moral code against killing other humans.”
“They would be wrong about that.”
I eyed IKE carefully, hoping there was at least a small part of him that was joking with me, but deep down, I knew he wasn’t. Maybe he didn’t take quite so much joy out of it as it sounded, but he definitely had no problem taking a life.
My phone chimed with an incoming message and I checked it.
This is your weekly check-in to make sure you’re doing okay.
I smiled at the message from Kavanaugh and texted him back.
I’m doing good.
Glad to hear it.
I tossed my phone on the bed and went to my closet.
“Who was that?” IKE asked.
“Hmm?” I said, looking back at his handsome face.
“Who was that?”
“Oh, Kavanaugh.”
“You’re still texting him?” A chill swept over me at the tone in his voice.
I stepped out of the closet and winced at the angry look on his face. “Is that a problem?”
“Why the fuck is he texting you?”
“He was just checking in.”
“Checking in?”
“Yes. He literally texts me once a week and asks me how I’m doing. He just wants to make sure I’m okay. You should have seen it before. He was texting me every two days. But I think he realized that was too much,” I chuckled.
Clearly, I was the only one who found that funny. IKE was positively fuming. “He shouldn’t be texting you at all. You said it was over.”
“It is.”
“Then why the fuck is he texting you?”
My jaw dropped. I really didn’t have an answer for him. Not a good one, anyway. I could see his point, why he was so pissed about this. If the situation was reversed, I would be angry too.
“I’ll talk to him.”
“No, I’ll talk to him.”
Okay, that was taking things too far. I crossed my arms over my chest and glared at him. “IKE, don’t make me kick your ass.”
“I’d like to see you try.”
“I totally would, but how pathetic would it be to bring you to the hospital on Christmas Day and tell everyone that you got your ass handed to you by a girl?”
Tension bracketed his jaw, but the smallest little twitch touched the corner of his lips. I had him.
“I’ll talk to Kavanaugh about it. I’m sorry. I didn’t really think anything of it, but you’re right. We shouldn’t be texting.”
He huffed in annoyance.
“What now?” I sighed.
“Nothing.”
I walked over to him and slid my hands up his chest. “Tell me what it is.”
He sighed heavily. “I just…don’t get to kick his ass now.”
“You poor baby. I’m sure I’ll find some way to make it up to you.”
He wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me closer as a low growl left his lips. “You’d better. It’s bad enough I had to share you this morning with your sister. Now I have to deal with your ex.”
“Only because when I broke things off with him, he promised he would still check in. And after I lost it on him in town?—”
“When was this?” he asked, going still.
I bit my lip to keep from smiling. “About a month ago.”
“And what happened?”
“Riley dragged me out into the cold and we sort of started a fight in the middle of a Christmas craft thing.”
“A Christmas craft thing,” he repeated, holding back his smirk.
“Yes, that’s exactly what it was. Did you want to hear the story or continue to mock me?”
He pretended to think about it, so I pulled away, but he immediately tugged me back into his arms, refusing to let me go. “I’m listening.”
I let out a huff of annoyance even though I wasn’t mad. “Anyway, after Riley was attacked by Bowie’s ex-wife and we took down a tent, the police wouldn’t let us go unless someone vouched for us.”
“Fucking Kavanaugh,” he muttered.
“Well, you weren’t around,” I snapped, irritated that I even cared.
“I was dealing with something.”
“And what would that be?”
“Finding out why your ex was trying to have you killed.”
Well, knock me over with a feather. I stared at him, stunned by the blunt honesty of his words, but then again, IKE never had a problem telling me the truth.
“And?”
He shook his head. “Not until you finish telling me the story.”
He didn’t play fair. “Kavanaugh picked me up and I got irritated with him. He said something about how it wasn’t cold, and I said that after spending four days in an ice box, spending an afternoon out in the cold wasn’t my idea of a good time. And then I stormed off. And since then, Kavanaugh has been messaging me to check on me.”
He grunted in acknowledgment. “I still don’t like him.”
“Of course you don’t. Now, tell me what you found out.”
“Not much. I’m still waiting for answers. I met a guy who deals in information.”
“And?” I asked, stepping back. As much as I loved his arms around me, I needed my space. I kept busy by stuffing my things into my bag. “What did he say?”
“He’s going to look into it. I don’t buy that your ex wants you dead.”
My head whipped up in surprise. “You don’t?”
He shook his head. “He may be pissed with you, but there’s more to the story. Something else is going on, and I would guess someone else is trying to kill you to get to him.”
“But…I’m not even with him anymore.”
“Doesn’t matter. You’re his weakness whether you like it or not. You were married to him for years. That makes you a liability to him.”
I slumped down on the bed, confused by the whole thing. “But nothing’s happened since the massive shooting on the front porch. Why would they just give up?”
“That’s what I’m trying to figure out.”
I glanced up, smirking at how he leaned against the doorframe. His dark blue shirt blended perfectly with the gray vest, still as neat and clean as when he showed up last night. He was the spitting image of slick and handsome, and I couldn’t stop staring at him, knowing that behind the gorgeous smile was a very dangerous man.
“Why didn’t you come over here and insist I have protection?”
“Did you want me to do that?”
“Not particularly.”
“Then why are you asking?”
“Because…”
“Because you expected me to,” he finished. “I know Kavanaugh still has his security system in place, and I’ve been keeping an ear to the ground.”
“And you’ve been stalking me.”
A smirk played at his lips. “From time to time.”
“So, you didn’t feel the need to charge in here and take over.”
His hand slid up my arm, tangling in my hair before twisting around a curl. “When have you ever needed someone to take charge?”
“I would just like to point out how incredibly hurtful it is that you would leave your sister on Christmas Day.”
“You’re with Bowie,” I said as I walked down the stairs.
“Yes, but I’m still here.”
“And you’re probably going back to sleep.”
“Actually, I was going to watch Christmas movies,” she said, pounding down the stairs after me.
“And fall asleep on the couch,” I retorted. I turned the corner, tossing the bag on the ground.
“That’s beside the point! You’re leaving!”
She did an excellent job of pretending to be offended. Really, if anyone deserved an Emmy for the performance of a lifetime, it would be my sister. With the fake tears glistening in her eyes and the torn-up expression on her face, I could almost believe that she actually cared that I was leaving. Almost. But I knew her too well.
I sighed wearily. “Do you really want me to stay?”
She nodded, sniffling and wiping at her nose.
“Alright. I’ll stay. After all, it is Christmas.”
“Thank you,” she whimpered as I pulled her in for a very fake hug.
“We’ll make Christmas cookies and I’ll send the guys out to find a Christmas turkey.”
I could feel her panic as I held her tighter. “None of the stores are open.”
“I’m pretty sure there’s a box store open one town over. They can find us something. We’ll make a feast, just the two of us like Mom used to do.”
She hated Mom’s feast, and if there was one thing Riley really hated, it was baking.
“But…I’m not really in the mood for Christmas cookies.”
“Oh, but it’s Christmas. ’Tis the season. Ooh, and we’ll have eggnog.”
She gagged and pushed herself out of my arms. “Alright, fine. You win. I give up.”
I grinned in triumph. “I knew it.”
She narrowed her eyes at me. “How did you know?”
“I always know. You can’t fool me.”
“I could have been serious. We’re sisters. I could have really wanted to spend the day with you.”
“Ha! Name one holiday that you’ve actually enjoyed celebrating.”
I watched, tapping my shoe as I waited for her answer. Her face twitched as she struggled to come up with an answer, which she couldn’t because she hated celebrating holidays.
“Fine! Alright, you win. I hate this stupid holiday!”
“You hate Christmas?” Bowie asked, walking into the room—his voice dripping with shock and disappointment. “How could you hate Christmas?”
She rolled her eyes at his pitiful expression. “I don’t actually hate it. I enjoy the season. I like the idea of it. What I hate is the actual day.”
“Why?” His brows twitched in confusion. “You hate Jesus?”
“Oh, what a load of bullshit! People only pretend to be holy on Christmas. And you have to be good or Santa won’t visit you. What a load of crap!”
“What’s your problem with every other holiday?” he asked.
I stepped back, grinning as I watched it all unfold.
“Name one,” she challenged.
“Thanksgiving. Tell me what’s wrong with that.”
“What’s going on?” IKE asked, walking up beside me.
“Just watch.”
Riley tossed up her hands, scoffing at Bowie. “Thanksgiving? That’s one of the worst holidays. A day to be grateful for all we have. Just one day? That’s all? All the rest of the days, we’ll tear each other apart and shit on all the blessings we have, but for one fake day, we’ll pretend we all love each other.”
Bowie crossed his arms over his chest and glared at her. “Valentine’s Day. Certainly, you can’t have a problem with love.”
She barked out a laugh. “Are you kidding me? You’re really celebrating a massacre. The rest is all a holiday created to sell more greeting cards.”
“Veteran’s Day,” he challenged.
“Yes, because we should only be grateful and celebrate our veterans once a year. Are you fucking kidding me? You’re a veteran. Are you telling me you think anyone really goes to those backyard parties and actually thinks about veterans? They’re thinking about barbecues and getting drunk. Same with the Fourth of July and Memorial Day. And don’t even get me started on St. Patrick’s Day.”
“What’s wrong with St. Patrick’s Day?” IKE asked.
I jabbed him in the ribs, hushing him before he could start World War III.
“What? Does she have something against the Irish?”
I glared at him, hoping he would just shut up.
“Christ, it’s like I don’t even know you!” Bowie snapped.
“A-ha!” Riley shouted in victory. “Right there. Taking the Lord’s name in vain on Christmas Day. Ladies and gentlemen, my work is done.” She turned and bowed, then walked into the living room and plopped down on the couch to watch a movie.
“And that is why I have no problem leaving,” I said to Bowie. I walked to my bag, hoisting it over my shoulder, but it was snatched out of my hands moments later by IKE.
“Ready?”
I nodded, grinning when he pulled me in for a kiss.
“Great,” Bowie huffed. “Now I have to watch the two of you making out.”
“Not for long,” IKE muttered. “Let’s get out of here.”
He dragged me to the door and led me outside, closing the door behind him. The car was idling by the curb and we quickly rushed down the sidewalk to it. I was met by toasty warm seats, making me feel like I’d never left the comfort of home.
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay?” IKE asked as he slid in beside me.
“Positive.”
He smirked at me and shifted into drive, hitting the gas. His hand slid across the console, wrapping around mine in a warm embrace. As his thumb brushed over my hand, I leaned back and enjoyed the drive to his house that ended way too quickly. I enjoyed sitting in silence with him, not feeling at all like either of us had to fill it.
When we pulled down his driveway, I turned to face him. “Can I ask you something?”
“You know you can.”
“Were you in love with Jane?”
His jaw tensed as he glanced over at me. “For a time.”
I was surprised he told me the truth. Most men wouldn’t admit to being in love with another man’s woman. “Why didn’t it work out?”
“There was nothing to work out. She was never mine to have.”
“Because you never made a move?”
“Pretty much,” he said, shifting into park before turning back to me.
“And you never made a move when I was with Kavanaugh,” I pointed out.
“Are you pointing out all of the ways I failed at getting a woman?” If he was trying to make a joke, he failed miserably.
“Why didn’t you just tell me?”
“What good would that have done? Would you have liked me more if you knew I had an obsession with you? Would you have come running into my arms the moment you found out I followed you from your ex?”
I thought about it and grinned. “Okay, maybe you’re right.”
“See, this way, I didn’t look like a stalker.”
“Fox says you can’t stalk someone you know.”
“Fox is a fucking nut job. Are we done here?”
“You don’t like sitting in the car with me?”
“I’ll sit in the car with you any time you want, but I’d rather have you inside and naked.”
I rolled my eyes. “Is that all men think about?”
His hand wrapped around the back of my neck in a flash, drawing me into him. “Face it, baby. You’ve been thinking about me naked a lot longer than you want to admit.” His lips brushed over mine in a light kiss, and then he was out of the car and walking around to my side to pull me out.
I squealed as he yanked open the door and tugged me into his arms. His warm breath fanned over my face as he leaned in close, brushing his nose against mine. “Fuck, I should have taken you from Kavanaugh the first night I brought you back here.”