Chapter 22 Grae
GRAE
Caden’s cheek was already turning colors, and I knew exactly who was responsible. I stalked over to Nash and gave him a hard shove. “Seriously?”
He stumbled back. “What did I do?”
“Punched Caden in the face from the looks of it.”
Nash winced, sending Caden an apologetic look. “I’m sorry, man. I didn’t mean to get you so good.”
“So you did mean to get him?”
“We were sparring.” Nash tried to excuse himself.
I held up a hand. “I don’t want to hear it. If you’re pissed that I’m staying here, talk to me about it. Don’t punch Caden.”
An arm came around me, and Caden pulled me into him. His chest was still damp with sweat, but he smelled like damned spring rain. “I’m okay, Gigi. We were just burning off some energy.”
I looked up at him, searching. There were shadows in his eyes, ones I was desperate to know the source of. “He shouldn’t be hitting you in the face.”
“Caden socked me in the jaw,” Nash muttered.
“Shut up,” I snapped at him. “Don’t think I won’t tell Maddie what you did.”
Caden choked on a laugh. “You don’t mess around.”
“No. I don’t.” I sighed. “Come on. Let’s get some ice on that. Sit.”
Caden obeyed, taking a seat at the massive kitchen island. Nash followed suit.
I searched through the freezer and finally found a gel ice pack. Wrapping it in a thin towel, I handed it to Caden. “Keep this on your cheek for twenty minutes.”
The corner of his mouth kicked up. “Yes, Nurse Hartley.”
I rolled my eyes and moved back to the stove. “I made tomato and mozzarella quiche.”
“That sounds amazing,” Caden said.
“Got enough for one more?” Nash asked hopefully.
I sent him a scathing look. “I should make you watch us eat it.”
Nash pouted. “But you’d never do that because you know it’s my favorite, and you love me.”
I scoffed. “Everything’s your favorite.”
“I’ve got a good appetite. I think I’m still growing.”
Caden snorted.
I dished slices of quiche and some sliced oranges onto three plates. “Water, milk, or OJ?”
“Water,” they answered at the same time.
I poured three tall glasses and carried them over to the island. I took the stool next to Caden, giving myself some distance from Nash. I didn’t trust myself not to deck my brother.
He gave me those puppy dog eyes. “Thank you, G. You’re my favorite sister, and I love you the most.”
“I’m your only sister.”
He shrugged as he dug into the quiche. “Even if I had a dozen sisters, you’d still be my favorite.”
“Don’t talk with your mouth full,” I scolded.
“It’s a compliment to the chef,” Nash said around another mouthful of food.
Caden grinned as he swallowed a bite. “This really is amazing. Thank you.”
Warmth swept through me. “Thanks. It’s nice to have someone other than me to cook for.”
“You can always cook for me,” Nash mumbled.
I shook my head. “I don’t know how Maddie puts up with you.”
“I’m generous with my sexual favors as payment.”
I gagged. “I do not need to know about that.”
Caden chuckled. “Maybe not breakfast talk, Nash.”
A phone rang, and Nash slid his cell out of his pocket. “Speak of the devil.” He tapped his screen as he slid off the stool and headed into the living room. “Hey, Mads.”
I adjusted my insulin pump and then took a bite of quiche, but my gaze pulled to Caden. It was more than the shadows in his eyes; dark circles rimmed them, too. “What’s wrong?”
He looked up. “Nothing.”
I didn’t look away, calling BS on his denial. “You look like you didn’t sleep, you and Nash both look like you went ten rounds, and there’s something in your eyes.”
Caden reached for his water and took a sip, but he didn’t answer.
“Tell me what’s going on.”
He spun his glass in circles. “You always see more than everyone else.”
I saw him more than everyone else. Because I’d made a study of Caden Shaw since before I understood why. “You’ve had my back these past few weeks when I really needed someone. Let me have yours.”
Caden’s gaze lifted to mine, and I saw so much pain there that it nearly stole my breath. “I’m fucked in the head, Gigi.”
My heart jerked. “You are not.”
He chuckled, but there was no humor in it. “I am. Between my family and losing Clara, I don’t handle things the way a normal person would. I don’t do relationships for a reason. I don’t let people past a certain boundary because I know it would destroy me if I lost them.”
My heart thudded against my ribs. “Because you’re scared.”
“I’m not scared. I’m fucking petrified. I can’t even let Nash in.”
Pain flared in my chest as I looked at Caden. He’d been alone for so long. It was his doing, but at the same time, it wasn’t his fault. I couldn’t imagine how lonely he must’ve been. “You can change it. Choose a different path.”
Caden shook his head, his focus dropping to his plate. “It’s not that simple.”
“I’m not saying it’ll be easy, but I’m saying you have a choice. Choose to take just one step down a different path.”
I knew what I was asking for without even saying the words. I was asking him to give me back some of what I had lost. But also more. Because I felt that pull between Caden and me. I knew now that it wasn’t just in my head—it was too raw and real for it to be on me alone.
Caden’s eyes lifted again. “Gigi…”
The doorbell rang.
I mentally cursed as Caden jerked straight.
“I’ll get it.” He strode out of the kitchen like the hounds of hell were on his heels.
What had I been thinking? Caden could have fixed things between us a million and one times, but he never had. I had to stop chasing after the glimmer of something he wasn’t willing to fight for. Maybe this fake relationship would bring our friendship back, but it would never be more than that.
Caden reappeared in the kitchen with Lawson. I straightened. “Hey, Law.”
He crossed to me and wrapped me in a hug. “You doing okay?”
I nodded. “I’m fine.”
“I thought you were taking the kids out on the lake today,” Nash said as he strode farther into the kitchen.
“Pushed it to tomorrow. I got a call from Ramirez this morning.”
My stomach tightened. “Do they know what caused the fire?”
Lawson leaned a hip against the island. “It’s all very preliminary. It will take a couple of weeks for the official findings.”
“But he suspects something.” Caden’s voice had gone cold, emotionless.
Lawson nodded. “They traced the path of the fire, and it looks as if an accelerant was used.”
Nash cursed, but Caden went unnaturally still.
“Someone tried to burn down my house.” I couldn’t disguise the tremor in my voice. I hated that little glimpse of weakness, but there was nothing I could do about it.
Strong arms came around me, cocooning me. Caden’s body was so much larger than mine. It felt as if he could shield me from just about anything. And the heat coming off him in waves soothed something inside me.
“It looks that way,” Lawson said. “Is there anyone who might be angry with you other than Rance or Gabe?”
I shook my head. “I don’t think so. I mean, I’m sure I’ve pissed people off, but this is way too extreme for cutting someone off in traffic or getting the last muffin at The Brew.”
Lawson nodded. “Holt has his team looking into things, but he wants you to consider a security detail.”
“No,” I clipped. “I’m not having a stranger follow me around.”
Nash sent me a sympathetic look. “I know it feels invasive, but someone set your house on fire. What if you had been home?”
“They did it when I wasn’t home,” I argued.
Caden stiffened. “You set your alarm before you left. They shouldn’t have been able to get in.”
A muscle below Lawson’s eye fluttered. “No, they shouldn’t have. But they did. Which means whoever we’re dealing with knows their way around a security system.”
Caden’s hold on me tightened. “She’ll be safe here. No one gets onto the premises without being on an approved list, and I’ve got a state-of-the-art security system. I use Halo, the company out of Sutter Lake that Holt recommended.”
Lawson nodded slowly. “That’s a good start.” He turned to me. “You need to be careful. No going places alone, especially at night.”
The walls felt as if they were closing in around me, my freedom disappearing in front of my eyes. “I’ll be careful. I promise.”
“Is there any chance there could be trace evidence at the scene?” Caden asked.
“We’ve got a team going through it now,” Lawson said.
“I hope that team doesn’t include Rance,” Nash grumbled.
Lawson shook his head. “It doesn’t. I asked that he not be assigned to work any of the investigation side of this.”
My stomach cramped. Just another reason for Rance to hate me. Great.
Lawson dipped his head to meet my gaze. “This is serious, Grae. Whoever this is, they’re escalating. And they may not stop with the destruction of property next time.”
I heard what he wasn’t saying. That next time, they could hurt me.