Chapter 7
CHAPTER 7
I stared at Kyler. The hope in his eyes made me feel all sorts of things. Excited and nervous, but most of all safe. I couldn’t explain it. We knew nothing about each other. He could be a serial killer or mean to puppies. None of that sounds right, but who knew? He saw me and I saw him, too. Being around him gave me a sense of calmness and security at a level beyond explanation, and it was a gift. In the Ninja world, some gifts you don’t try to explain, you accept by faith and say thank you.
“I’d like to stay here, please.” I scooted closer to him. “If it’s okay with you.”
“It would be my honor.” He squeezed my hand and stood up. With that settled, I felt better. It was weird and completely crazy, but at least I didn’t have to go back to New Jersey for now.
“Thank you.” I squeezed his hand back and safety was no longer top of mind, lust was. I pulled my hand away. “I should probably call my grandmother and let her know I am alright.”
Kyler handed me my phone and motioned toward the spare room.
I headed toward my suitcase at the front door, Kyler stepped around me.
“I know this is strange.” Kyler fiddled with the handle. “I have two other hotel rooms on this floor for guest if it would make you more comfortable.”
I looked up at him. His eyes darted around. It was the first time I’d seen him nervous or unsure about something.
“If you think it will be safe?” I clasped my hands together.
“Oh, you will be safe.” He gripped the handle. “I’ll always have Patrick by your door. He’s my best guy.” He pointed to the man holding up the wall. The blond man hadn’t said much, but you could see his mind working behind those ice-blue eyes.
“Well, if he’s guarding me.” I frowned. “Who will be watching you?”
He smiled, and my stomach flipped.
“I’ll be fine.”
“I think I should probably stay here.” I walked toward the guest room. “That way, he can protect us both.” Kyler followed.
“Wise decision.” He hefted my suitcase on the bed and chuckled.
“What’s so funny?” I flopped on the bed and unzipped my backpack.
“I figured you’d like a little more privacy.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “A free hotel room in Vegas with unlimited room service and all the movies you can watch.”
“I won’t have the same access here?” I smirked.
“My house, my rules.” He leaned over. “Ninja Rayn.”
My heart fluttered. We were at nickname status already.
I held in the urge to call him rabbit Daddy.
I ignored his warning and unpacked. I hadn’t brought much. Natalie said the job would provide clothes. I thought she had meant a uniform, not a slutty cocktail dress and heels too tall for any human to walk in.
“What did you do with the dress?”
“I threw it out.” He leaned against the wall but dropped his hands and his stern Daddy vibe.
“Good.” I shrugged. “I would have liked to burn it, but as long as I never have to wear it again.”
I removed the few clothes I brought, two pairs of jeans and a few t-shirts and turned around. Kyler opened the top draw of a chest of draws. I stood on my toes to see inside. He closed it and opened one lower.
“Thank you.” I gathered my collection of knee-high socks and placed them another drawer. I lifted my jacket and revealed my underthings. I quickly tucked the jacket back around.
“Are you going to watch me unpack?” I stood up and placed my hand on my hips.
“No,” he smirked. “I’ll give you some privacy.”
I reached for my phone, but Kyler grabbed my hand.
“Is it okay for me to call my grandmother?” I asked.
“Yes, of course.” He nodded. “Just when you speak with her, don’t tell her exactly where you are, just in case someone is listening.”
“Is she in danger?” My stomach dropped.
He rubbed his face.
“Where does your grandmother live?” He grabbed a chair from the desk in the corner and sat down in front of me.
“In an assisted living facility in Florida near my uncle?” I stared at my feet. “She practically raised me when my mother died. She’s old, but still sharp, even though she can’t get around on her own anymore.” I shrugged. “She took care of me when no one else would. I decided to go to school close to her to continue to take care of her, but her son, my uncle, put her in a facility near him in Tampa. I haven’t seen her since last summer, but I try to check on her at least once a week.”
“She sounds like a great lady,” Kyler said.
“She is.” I blinked my eyes and turned away. I fought the urge to crawl into his lap and beg him to make all the bad things go away.
“Give me her address and I’ll send someone to keep an eye on her.” He stood back up. “Discreetly. She won’t know they’re there. No need to worry her.”
“You don’t have to do that.” Who was this man who could just order someone to go look in on my grandmother a thousand miles away?
“Would it make you feel better?” He asked.
“Yes, it would.” I nodded.
“Then it’s settled.” He grabs a pencil and a pad of paper.
I yawned.
“You’ve had an eventful couple of days. Why don’t you finish unpacking and take a nap?” He handed me the piece of paper. “That’s my cell number. Put it in your phone and text me your grandmother’s address.”
I looked at the piece of paper and back up at him. Tears formed in my eyes. Kyler doesn’t seem like the type of man to give his personal information out to anyone or to open his home to a stranger in danger. He trusted me. The least I could do was trust him, too.
I walked up to him and wrapped my arms around his waist. He stiffened before relaxing and hugged me back.
“Thank you for everything.” I sniffled.
“You’re welcome, Rayn Drop.” He kissed the top of my head, released me and left.
I finish unpacking. My jacket, two dresses and two pairs of jeans took up an inch of space in the massive closet. The other door in the room led to an ensuite bathroom. The light illuminated the room when I stepped inside automatically. Fancy. The white tile made me want to find my sunglasses. The light bounced off every service. The white-tiled floors continued into the shower stall and up the walls separated the rest of the room by a sliding glass door. Even the hardware in the bathroom was white. The only item in the room to break up the white was the huge mirror over the vanity and sink. I place my toiletries along the white marble vanity, arranging them neatly against the mirror.
The dark circles under my eyes made me pause. Why was I so tired? Maybe it was the drugs in my system. Kyler was right, but I hadn’t taken a nap since I was a toddler. I walked back into the bedroom and took in my surroundings. The bed looked inviting, with its mountain of accent pillows in different shades of blue and green. The fluffy white duvet cover felt like a cloud. I climbed into the queen size bed and flopped on my back. The shades were drawn on the floor-to-ceiling window to my right. A television was mounted on the wall in front of me. A small white corner desk sat to my left.
I grabbed the piece of paper off the nightstand and programmed his number into my phone. Sending him my grandmother’s information.
Rayna: Here’s my grandmother’s address and phone number. Thanks again.
He responded right away.
Kyler: You are welcome.
I giggle and plug my phone in the charger and dialed my grandmother.
She answered after four rings. I could picture her asleep on her brown leather recliner in front of the television in her small apartment.
“Rayna.” Her deep voice felt like home.
“Hi Nama.” The name I called her as a kid stuck.
“Rayn!” She turned the television down. “Is that you? I’ve been worried sick about you. You were supposed to call me when you arrived.”
“I know.” I covered my head with the comforter. “I’m sorry. We’ve been going non-stop since we landed.”
“So.” She paused. “How is it? You staying in one of them fancy hotels.”
“Yeah.” At least that part wasn’t a lie. “It’s beautiful and big. Lots of interesting people.”
“And, what will you be doing?” She coughed. I waited for her to settle.
“Housekeeping and some work in the kitchen.” Apparently, my bed making skills weren’t up to par since someone came in and made it again after I’d left. And, I don’t see myself doing much cooking. I hated lying to my grandma. Maybe I’d offer to make Kyler dinner as a thank you and then it won’t be a lie.
“Well, that’s going to be some hard work.” I pictured her beautiful face with the wrinkles near her eyes she hated, but I loved.
“I know, but nothing I’m not used to.” I shrugged.
“Yeah, you worked in that small restaurant that was lucky to get a hundred people at dinner service.” She coughed. “They feed thousands of people at a time at those big casinos.”
“Nama, when’s the last time you were in a casino?” I smile.
“Oh, it’s been years, but I watched the show Las Vegas.” She chuckled. “It takes a lot to run those places.”
Where some people used google to learn about stuff, my grandmother's search engine is late night television. She retained every single bit of information she could from those shows. The Law and Order franchise was her favorite. She said trying to figure out those mysteries kept her brain sharp. She’s the one who got me into spy movies. Her favorite was James Bond. I introduced her to Naruto and now she can’t get enough.
“You just be careful.” She coughed again. “The casinos are riddled with mobsters.”
“Yeah, in the 1970’s, maybe.” I scoffed.
“Don’t sass me, young lady.”
“I’ll be careful.” I nodded.
“You see that you are.” She sighed.
“I will. Got to go.” Tears pooled in my eyes. “I’ll call you next week.”
“Okay baby.” She made kissing noises through the phone. “Love you.”
“Love you too.”
Too antsy to sleep, I pushed the covers off and jumped out of bed. Maybe changing into pajamas would make me want to sleep. I continued unpacking and retrieved a plain white tank top and pink polka dot shorts. None of my outfits were complete without my signature knee-high socks. The white ones with the pink strip were my favorite. I crawled back into bed and settled under the covers.
A yawn caught me off guard, but when I closed my eyes, they popped back open. Maybe some scrolling would help. I googled The Quadrangle. Kyler Grant and his family owned hotels all over the world. A picture of Kyler popped up in my search, but I shut it down before the results came up. Going down the Kyler Grant rabbit hole was not a good idea. Rest first, operation stalking Kyler would have to wait.
* * *
My eyes fluttered open. I sat up with a gasp. It was dark outside. It took me a minute to remember. How long had I been asleep?
I jumped out of bed and tiptoed to the door. The light in the hallway was on, but the apartment felt quiet. The door clicked and opened. I poked my head out and looked down the hallway to the left and right. Coast was clear. I slid against the wall. The living room and kitchen were empty, too. The hallway off the entryway laid dark. I crept to the door at the end and knocked, no answer. My stomach growled, and the sound echoed off the walls.
“You need to eat.”
I screamed and flattened myself against the wall.
Kyler stood in the entryway with his hand on his hips. He had changed out of his jeans into black sweatpants and a black t-shirt. With a towel thrown over one shoulder.
“You scared the shit out of me.”
“Watch your language!” He said it so politely, I thought he was joking, but when he frowned, I knew it wasn’t a joke.
“Sorry.” His hair and beard were wet and sweat stained his shirt.
“How was your nap?” He grasped the edge of the towel, wiping the sweat from his face.
“Good.” I rocked back on my heels. “How was your workout?”
“Good.” He nodded.
“Is there a gym in your apartment?” The hallways were a maze. A loud growl emanated from my stomach. With a blush staining my cheeks, I quickly covered my waist with my hands.
“How about we eat some dinner first and then I’ll give you a tour?” He scratched his stomach, revealing a sliver of skin. My mouth watered. My gaze trailed up his body past his torso and landed on the most striking steely grey eyes staring down at me.
He said something, but I missed it.
“What was that?” I wiped my mouth. Please don’t let me drool in front of this gorgeous man.
“What would you like?”
What a loaded question? Was ‘you’ an appropriate answer? All of you, with your sexy bearded smirk and penetrating eyes that could see into my soul. I wanted to touch every inch of his muscular physique that look good in a suit and in sweats. I’d also like his deep voice to tell me what to do and when to do it. To be held by those strong hands and pressed up against the wall and kissed with those sexy lips. Of course that wasn’t what he meant, but he smirked like he could read my thoughts. Instead of calling me on them, he walked to the island separating the kitchen and the living room and picked up the phone.
“Uhm.” I climbed onto a bar stool and swiveled back and forth. He placed his foot on the bottom rung of the chair to keep me still. With a sigh, I finally answered. “What do you got?”
“Anything you want.” He leaned in.
“Anything?”
“Try me.” He winked.
Damn, those eyes.
“Okay. I want a cheeseburger with cheddar cheese and bib lettuce only. A mix of thin cut fries and curly sweet potato fries.”
He gawked at me.
“You want me to write it down?” I reached for the pad of paper on the counter.
“No, I got it.” He chuckled. “Anything else?”
“Yeah, ranch dressing, and ketchup and soft chocolate chip cookies.” I clapped my hands and giggled.
He rolled his eyes, whispering, “brat,” under his breath. I jumped off the stool and walked over to the window.
He relayed my order to someone through the phone. Amusement played at the corner of his mouth when he added the soft chocolate chip cookies.
He hung up the phone and stood next to me, staring at the Vegas skyline.
“I’m going to jump into the shower.” He turned to face me. “You think you can behave yourself until I get back?”
Turning my face to him, I nod.
“Use your words, Rayna.”
“Yes, sir.” I look down at my feet.
“You have such a pretty voice.” He lifted my chin and pulled it toward him. “You should always use it when speaking to me.”
“When I speak freely, I tend to ramble.” I stared into those gray eyes of his.
“I thought you said you ramble when you’re nervous.” He tilted his head.
I squared my body to his. “First, I fidget and then I get nervous and then I ramble, and I get even more nervous and then I ramble some more. It’s a vicious cycle. My grandmother used to thump me on the nose to distract me, but then one time she thumped too hard and -–“
Kyler leaned in and kissed me on the nose.
“No need to be nervous, little Ninja.” He stared into my eyes for what felt like hours. “But I do enjoy your voice, so ramble away.”
I leaned against the window. It was the only thing preventing me from melting into the floor like a pile of goo.