Chapter 21
Caitlyn
I fight the urge to look in Mr. Hart's direction.
Also known as Hemlock, and who the guys at the cabin call their president, the man is all too observant. I've discovered him watching me more than once today, and that means that both he and Nolan are suspicious of my unease.
Eli had wanted to take Kiva to the park since they don't have much of a yard at the cabin, considering it's right in the middle of a small community of other cabins.
I was ready to explain we couldn't do that because it was dark when Nolan spoke up about a dog park in town that he'd read about. I have no doubt the man found the park with a quick search the second his son mentioned wanting to get out of the house.
Kiva ignores all the other dogs around her in favor of having all of Eli's attention, and I don't think I've noted a single second when she hasn't been smiling.
It almost makes me feel bad for all the times I've had to leave her home to go to work. Maybe she needs a companion, but I really don't have time to house train another dog right now.
I don't know how long Lark and Roman had been here before I noticed them standing in different spots across the room.
This place has only gotten busier since we arrived. Maybe I shouldn't be surprised to see an increase of Cerberus members here. It makes me wonder if Hemlock is aware of what has been going on with my possible stalker with the way he's been watching me today.
I don't know how it should make me feel to be some part of a job for these men. Does making it a more professional situation make what happened better or worse?
I feel my face heat when I imagine Roman disclosing what has happened between the two of us to his teammates, and I have to look away from all of them completely.
"See if you can get her to jump over the low pole," I say to Eli when Kiva stops, looking up at him a mere foot from the really tall pole. "I don't know if she can do that one."
Eli crouches low and whispers something to Kiva, running his hand lovingly down her back as he speaks. Her tail wags, and the never-ending smile on her face widens.
When he stands, she looks up at him, waiting to see what his next plan is.
Instead of trying the next pole for her to jump over, I'm beyond happy when he finds a quiet corner with no other dogs and sits on the floor, allowing my sweet girl to crawl into his lap. Together, they watch the other dogs run around and play.
Animals are incredible and have healing properties for so many people, no matter if they've been ill or are working through traumas. Animals can be spoken to, and they always hold your secrets. I'm so grateful to have Kiva, and I'm ecstatic that she can help Eli heal on his journey as well .
No one else seems to notice the Cerberus guys, but I don't see how that's possible. Every one of them is massive and looks unapproachable. They're scattered, four of them in total now, around the building, and although they should be throwing up red flags because not one of them entered with an animal, other than women eyeing them appreciatively, no one pays them much attention.
I leave Eli and Kiva alone, letting them hang out for this therapy session rather than bothering them and inserting myself when it isn't necessary. It leaves me with the opportunity to pay more attention to my surroundings. Although I don't see the man who drove by my house last night, it doesn't stop me from searching all around to make sure I'm safe.
I keep my distance from everyone else. Luckily, most of the dog owners are situated around the outer ring of the play area. Not many are inside the area playing with their dogs. This is an opportunity for the animals to play with each other and burn off some energy. It's mostly children running around with the animals, other than one guy with a puppy who is clearly trying to teach the dog the art of not getting distracted no matter what is going on around him.
I circle the play area, noticing when the front door opens and a guy walks in. Like Cerberus, he doesn't have an animal with him, but it doesn't prevent him from sitting on a bench just inside the play area to watch the dogs run.
I'm not the only one to notice him either. I try not to stare, but I can't help but repeatedly glance over at the man as Lark approaches him, taking a seat beside him. The position he takes is so close, I just know that their hips are touching. Lark doesn't hesitate to lean over and whisper something in the guy's ear. I don't really think anything of it until the man stiffens.
Less than a minute later, the guy stands and makes a beeline for the door with Lark right on his tail.
"You don't know him, do you? "
I startle, my hand coming up to my throat at the sound of Nolan's voice being closer than I expected it to be.
"No," I answer quickly. "Do you guys know him?"
"We know his type," Nolan mutters, disdain coating every syllable.
"His type?" I ask, facing him fully once the man and Lark disappear outside.
"He came in with no dog. Sat as close to that group of kids as possible," he says, pointing at the small group of boys playing with a couple of puppies. "The guy is up to no good."
"Maybe he just likes dogs but can't have one because of housing rules," I say, the wave of cold chills running up my spine telling me I'm wrong.
"Or maybe," Nolan says, holding his phone out to me.
I'm sick to my stomach when I look down at the mug shot of the very same man, the description of his past crimes and what landed him on parole, and the sex offender's registry spelled out below.
"Jesus," I mutter. "Have you run everyone else in here as well?"
Nolan shrugs. "I keep my family safe."
"And no one else is trouble?" I ask, glancing around as if I can determine who is a criminal just by looking at them.
I'd never be able to guess correctly. I really gave that other guy the benefit of the doubt.
"Watch out for that kid right there," he says, angling his head toward a kid with heavy freckles on the bridge of his nose and across his cheeks. "He stuck his gum under the edge of the table at the concession stand instead of just throwing it in the trash."
I huff out a laugh, reaching up to cover my mouth because the response was so quick it had left me a little embarrassed.
"It's good to hear you laugh," he says, his tone growing more serious.
I dart my eyes around, hating the tone of his voice as I look for an escape.
I've spent weeks with Eli, helping with his problems, so it shouldn't surprise me that this man, as observant as he is, has paid attention to how I've been acting.
"You have nothing to worry about," I tell him, wondering if the words are more suspicious than reassuring.
"You've seemed distracted a little lately. Are you sure there isn’t something I should be worried about?"
I stiffen, trying to stand a little taller, but there's no amount of spine straightening that will make me even close to as tall as him.
"I have nothing going on in my life that's going to interfere with my therapy sessions with Eli," I assure him.
"If you're in trouble—"
"I'm fine," I rush out to say, hating the frown that forms on his handsome face.
"You'll come to me if there's any trouble." It's a demand, not a suggestion. "Here."
I look down at his hand, not immediately taking the proffered piece of paper.
"What is it?" I ask before committing.
"It's Jersey's number. He has a little more flexibility in his schedule than I do. If you ever end up in a situation you need help getting out of, give him a call."
I lift my eyes to him before glancing around the room, my body somehow instinctively knowing exactly where the man in question is. He's watching me. Why wouldn't he be a little more discreet when several of his teammates are floating around?
I pull the slip of paper from Nolan's fingers before giving him a tight smile.
It's weird that these men know everything about their surroundings but may not know just how much time Jersey and I have spent together.
"I'll keep it in mind," I tell him before shoving the paper in my pocket and walking away. I do my best to keep my eyes off Roman, but as the evening continues, I find it impossible. Despite walking all over this indoor dog park, no matter where I am, his eyes are on me when I look in his direction.
When Eli yawns, his hand slowing on Kiva's back, Nolan steps in and insists that it's time to go home. Eli doesn't argue. He simply stands, wrapping his hand tightly with the leash as they walk out.
I follow behind them, sensing when Roman takes up a spot near me but, of course, not touching. He didn't question me earlier when I confessed why I was at the sex club on the cross. Maybe he understands the reasoning of being touched when it's clear I hate it. He simply gave me exactly what I needed and stayed within the unspoken parameters.
Just his proximity threatens to set me on fire, and I sort of hate the way my body responds to him without provocation.
He splits off without a word, standing outside of the SUV as I climb into the back with Eli and Kiva. The only interaction I get with him is a simple dip of his head before he closes the door once I climb inside.