Chapter Six
Traeger hated seeingthe defeat and, yes, the anger written all over Kailani’s face. He wanted to see the same heat he’d glimpsed on her face when he’d pulled her across the console of her Jeep. He’d been shocked to know the ride she’d procured hadn’t been another flashy sports car. Of course, he, like all the other MC members, preferred a two-wheel ride beneath them, but if push came to shove, he’d take a jacked-up four-wheel drive like her Jeep or big old pickup truck over some expensive car any day.
He looked over at her again, watching her hands knead the leather of the pack she held. Not once had she released the damn bag, making him wonder what exactly it held. His guess was a fuckton of money or jewels, something she could sell for cash quickly. “We’re almost here. I’m going to have you duck your head in case there are any cameras your brother might be able to pull up on surveillance videos,” he instructed, his tone gruff.
When she complied without argument, he wondered how many times she’d had to do as she’d been told and wanted to turn around and kill every motherfucker who’d touched her. Rage so fierce pulsed through him it took all his discipline to keep from doing just that.
He drove up to the gates, punched in the code he knew by heart, and waited for it to open. Once it did, he kept one hand on the wheel, the other on the console separating the two seats. “Stay down just in case one of the neighbors has cameras. I’ll pull into the garage.” It didn’t take long for him to reach the end of the drive where his friend Cosmo’s beach house stood. They’d been in the military together; only his friend was rich as shit and not entirely as damaged as Traeger. However, the other man still liked Traeger and told him he could use the place anytime. Luckily, he wasn’t on the West Coast at the moment.
Traeger hopped out of the vehicle, punching in the code to the garage door. He ensured it was safe inside, turning off the alarm that Cosmo always kept on. He hit the button for the door to open and then went back to the Jeep, only to find Kailani still on the floorboard. The sight brought out a side of him Traeger didn’t want to delve too far into. The urge to stride to the passenger side, scoop her into his arms, and promise her...the world was overwhelming. Shit, he needed to get his head on straight. Instead of doing something monumentally stupid like acting like a hero, he got back under the wheel and drove forward.
“All’s clear inside. You can get up now.” He didn’t wait to see her comply, exiting the door with a quick button press. If he was going to keep this strictly business instead of strictly dickly, he needed to put some distance between them.
“How long are we staying here?” she asked, walking from behind the Jeep, her eyes darting around the pristine garage. “Wow, I’ve never seen so many surfboards.”
Traeger’s lips tilted up in a grin. “Cosmo likes the waves, as do his parents. Come on, let’s get settled.” If King and the others worked fast enough, maybe they’d eliminate the threat to Tiana, and he could return to his life quickly. Yeah, and maybe he’d shit rainbows, but he didn’t let his doubts show as he guided Kailani into the back door. Another alarm beeped, making him smile. Cosmo may be many things, but lackadaisical in his security wasn’t one of them.
“Your friend...does he know we’re here?” Kailani asked, not moving away from his side.
He pushed in the six-digit code, then ushered her further into the little bungalow. “Yeah, I told him I needed a little vacation.” Traeger didn’t go into the specifics with her on what he’d told his old military buddy. No reason to alarm her, but when Cosmo had heard he was bringing a woman with him, he’d assumed Traeger was romantically involved. That assumption was better than the truth, which was he’d all but kidnapped the woman for her own protection.
Traeger let out a sigh. His eyes ran over Kailani’s slender frame. “Do you need to use the little girl”s room or whatever?” Real smooth, Trigger, he thought, but was a pro at keeping his expression blank.
“Um, yes, please.” She shrugged the pack onto her shoulder, looking anywhere except at him.
“Sugar, you know you have zero chance of escaping me. Not that I’m holding you hostage, but that I’m your only chance of staying alive at the moment.” He worked to ease his voice so that it wasn’t as gritty as usual, speaking as if he was speaking to an injured animal or child, both of which she resembled. Not in appearance but deep within her soul.
“Of course you are,” she agreed. With her back straight, she went in the direction indicated, taking her pride with her.
Traeger wiped a hand down his face, then checked his phone to see if Keys had sent him an update. “Shit, at this rate, we’ll be here forever,” he grumbled.
“You can always leave. I promise not to break anything.”
Kailani’s words had him turning, his gun in his hand, and pointed straight at her head before he’d even realized he’d pulled it. “Fuck,” he growled. “Don’t do that.” He lowered his arm, hating the blank look in her eyes. It was as if she was used to guns being pointed at her. Hell, in her world, she probably was. “I don’t mind being here with you. I hate not being in the know,” he tried to explain. “Are you hungry?” Traeger didn’t break eye contact with the woman who had him off his game. Everything about the alluring woman had him feeling a little off-par.
“I’m not really hungry, but I could use a drink.”
He quirked a brow at her request, his throat parched and needing something other than a bottle of water to quench it. In the fridge, he found a six-pack of Corona. “You want a beer or something stronger?” His friend had a pretty good stock of hard liquor in the living room, but he didn’t think it was a good idea to get shitfaced while on babysitting duty. Kailani, on the other hand, could drink as much as she wanted, and Traeger could take care of both of them.
“I’ll have whatever you are.” Her voice nearly cracked until she turned away, walking into the living room.
Traeger let her go, giving her space to gather her armor around her. Hell, nobody would ever call him Oprah or Dr. Phil. He didn’t do feelings and shit. If she needed him to fuck her better, he was all for that. Or if she needed him to kill someone, he was the man for the job, but feelings? Those weren”t his specialty. Traeger pulled his phone out one last time, hoping like hell Keys had an update, but seeing nothing, he pocketed the little technical piece of shit. Grabbing the two bottles of Corona, he walked into the living room, finding Kailani staring out the huge bay window.
“This is a great view,” she whispered.
He noticed she had her arms wrapped around herself with the damn bag at her feet.
“Yeah, I think it’s why he bought the place. That and it’s got a pretty good security system and the gated community.”
She looked at him over her shoulder. “If someone wanted to kill him badly enough, they could come right in off the water or beach. Not a really good defensive place,” she said. Her hand reached for one of the bottles.
“Sorry, no fruit,” he motioned toward the top where a lime or ten would usually be.
“It’s fine. I’m not a huge fan of it in my drinks unless I’m shooting tequila, and only if it’s shit tequila.” She tipped her head back, taking a long pull on the drink.
Traeger had to look away, or he feared he’d get envious of the end of the bottle. He took a swig of his drink, wishing for something more substantial, like straight whiskey or even a real beer. “You want to go outside and relax?”
Why the hell was he acting like this was some vacation, and they were a couple he had zero idea about? He wanted to do just that once the words were out of his mouth.
Kailani took another long pull from her beer before placing the empty bottle on the table. “It’s late. I’d like to call it a night. What’s on the agenda for tomorrow?”
He sat his mostly full drink down and motioned for her to follow him, speaking over his shoulder. “We chill here until King gives me the all-clear. If you need something, I’ll get it, or have one of the brothers get it for us.”
KAILANI HATED THE IDEAof being stuck in a house without a plan, a house she didn’t own, didn’t know who did, with a man who would rather be anywhere but with her. She consoled herself with the knowledge that her brother would be closing their San Diego house since they’d been found by people he didn’t know. Once he found a hole, he’d climb out and try to destroy all those he felt were involved, starting with her. Only she wouldn’t be so easy to find. She’d made sure of that.
Bending, she picked up the bag that held all she needed. It didn’t have millions of dollars, gold, or jewelry like the man in front of her probably thought. No, it held identification and access to her new life. Bank accounts that held enough money, she could go anywhere and become anyone she wanted. All she had to do was get away from the long reach of the Trevino family and, now, whoever Traeger worked for. Like the docile little lamb, they thought her to be, she followed him to a guest room.
He flicked the light on but didn’t enter the space. “This is your room for the next few nights. I’ll be right next door if you need anything.” He lifted his chin, indicating the door to the left of them.
“I’ll be fine. I’ll grab a bottle from the fridge if I need a drink. I’m pretty sure I”ll be out like a light as soon as my head hits the pillow.” Kailani walked further into the room, noticing the nice touches the owner had put into it. The big king-sized bed, two chairs, and table spoke volumes of how they thought of their guests unless this was the primary suite. “Is this the main bedroom?”
Traeger chuckled. “Nah, Cosmo ensured every bedroom had big beds and a seating area. That way, his guests could chill without chilling with him. He’s a good host. I’ll see you in the morning.” Traeger lifted his hand and brushed it over her head. “Like I said before, I’ll keep you safe.”
She stepped away from his touch. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” His warmth was too tempting, making her wish she could lean into him and accept the comfort he offered. Only thinking like that was dangerous. She knew better than anyone what depending on a man, especially one who seemed honorable, could do. It could get him dead really quick.
“I don’t make promises I can’t keep, sugar. Sleep tight.” He turned and walked out the door, shutting it behind him.
She wanted to mutter the words back at him. “Yeah, well, you never ran up against monsters like my father and brother before,” she whispered.
Before breaking down, she went into the bathroom and washed her face. On the counter, she found a basket full of everything you’d find at a hotel, including a new toothbrush, toothpaste, and all the things she’d need to shower and feel refreshed. She looked back at the huge bed, then at the shower. Finally, needing to be clean before climbing into the fluffy white bedding, she quickly shed her clothes and entered the vast tile enclosure. The water came on, freezing cold, shocking her like she knew it would. It was something she’d learned to do and live with. Her dad had taken away hot water as a form of punishment years ago, making her earn it back. She’d promised herself she’d learn to live without it before she’d succumbed to his demands again. Of course, he’d then switched to scalding hot water, which took her a little longer to get used to, but she’d done it. She discovered her body could handle just about any abuse they gave.
Once she was finished washing up, she didn’t linger; that was something she’d learned never to do. You never knew who would come in and what they’d demand of you. Drying off quickly, she sighed at the towel”s softness, having gotten used to the rough fabric they’d allowed her to have. She may have looked like the princess, but she was treated more like Cinderella, the whore to be loaned out, bartered out, or flat out given to if the price or need was right.
With the towel wrapped around her, she padded back into the room, locked the door, and then placed the chair from under the desk in front of it. Sure, she was aware that if Traeger wanted, he could kick the door in, or he probably had a key, but at least she’d be forewarned. Inside the closet, she found some white T-shirts and men’s sweats. They were way too big for her, but better than being naked and vulnerable, just in case. “One day, I won’t have any just-in-case scenarios,” she promised herself, using the towel to dry her hair a little, then placed it in the laundry hamper marked towels. Whoever lived there was a neat freak and a helper, that was for sure.
Feeling the stress of the night and possibly the effects of the beer catch up to her, she flicked the light off. The room lit by moonlight filtering in gave her enough to see her way to the bed. She didn’t bother taking the half a dozen pillows off before peeling back one corner of the comforter and easing inside. Her head hit the pillows, enveloping her in softness. “Goodness, I could get used to this.” She yawned, feeling herself relax for the first time in a long time.
Kailani felt hands sliding up her legs, stripping away her pants. She fought, screaming for someone to help her, only realizing something was in her mouth, keeping her from making any noise. She thrashed around, finding her arms and legs unable to move. Frantic now, she fought harder, darkness weighing heavy on her like the man on top of her. “Please,” she cried.
The sound of something crashing made her fight harder, whimpering as she knew the pain that would come from her, not just allowing them to do what they wanted.
“Kailani, it’s me, Traeger. Wake up,” he whispered.
The blankets were wrapped around her so tightly, she couldn’t get free one minute, and then the next, she was in Traeger’s arms, his deep voice soothing her as she cried.
“Nobody can hurt you now. I’ve got you.” He kept murmuring over and over; one hand was on her back, and the other ran over her head like she was a child while he held her against his chest.
“I’m ss...sorry. I had a nightmare,” she whispered, anguish in every word. God, she hadn’t had one in such a very long time.
“It’s fine. I have them on occasion, too,” Traeger assured her.
Kailani leaned back, her tears making it hard to see him. “Bullshit,” she hiccupped.
He laughed, his thumb coming up to brush a tear away. “Not bullshit. I haven’t had one in a few years, but I’ve had many. Trust me, they’re not pretty.” He brushed another tear away. “Want to talk about it?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“How about we go outside and listen to the ocean lap at the sand?”
She was shocked at his easy acquiescence to her denial to answer his question. “I got your shirt wet,” she pointed out.
Traeger shrugged. “It’ll dry. Come on, let’s go out and let Mother Nature soothe our souls. There’s water in a cooler calling our names.” He stood up and offered her his hand.
Kailani knew this man was dangerous, but not once did she stop to think about denying his request. Her hand settled in his as he waited for her. She scooted off the side of the bed, her bare feet hitting the cool tile floor.
“You want your shoes?” Traeger asked.
She looked down to see he was barefoot and shook her head. Why, seeing his big feet made butterflies dance in her stomach. She had no clue, but she’d take that over the fear she’d felt in her dreams.