Stronger Than You Know--A Novel

by Lori Foster

Fuck it. He opened the door to let in his sister and sister-in-law. “Coffee’s in the kitchen. Kennedy is changing out of her pj’s. I’ll be right back.”

  Sterling boldly stared at him, then snorted. “Those boxers are no different than the shorts you wear for working out.”

  Madison, not in the least interested in what her brother wore, headed to the couch with her laptop. “I’m here to see Kennedy anyway.”

  That brought him away from the stairs and back into the living room area. “Why?”

  “The cops did a massive, coordinated statewide search of missing youths. Found a lot of them, too, and in the process, they also arrested several suspected traffickers. I want Kennedy to check out the photos to see if anyone looks familiar.”

  That sounded interesting. “Got it.” He rushed upstairs to take a speed shower, clean his teeth and shave. He dressed in a long-sleeved pullover and worn jeans. Carrying his shoes and socks, he headed back down.

  Kennedy was already neatly dressed in a flannel shirt, skinny jeans and thick socks. She’d pulled her hair into a high ponytail and put on a touch of makeup.

  Cute. She wanted to impress his family.

  She was going about it the wrong way, but he wouldn’t tell her so.

  Sterling now had a cola, and Madison had a bottle of water. Curled in a chair, Kennedy asked numerous questions, which Sterling fielded like a pro, telling her only so much without admitting to anything private.

  They were mostly questions on fighting styles, and Kennedy seemed duly impressed with their answers.

  Reaching to the small of her back, Sterling pulled a wicked blade from a sheath. “Check out my new knife.”

  Gingerly Kennedy accepted it, handling it like a live grenade.

  Madison’s laptop was open, but so far no one was looking at it. Reyes lifted it, going through the photos with a practiced eye. He didn’t see anyone familiar to him, but then, that was the problem with the ever-growing trade.

  When the women started talking about fashion or, in Sterling’s case, the lack thereof, Reyes decided this might be a good time for him to dodge out. He could talk to his dad, let him know that he might have to bring Kennedy by, and he could warn Bernard not to be so damned possessive of the cat.

  Yes, the cat was Bernard’s now. Reyes had relinquished ownership when Bernard turned to comical mush over the critter. Pretty sure if he’d pressed the issue, Bernard would have challenged him.

  Then his dad would be pissed, and probably Madison, too, because they all considered Bernard one of the family.

  Shaking his head, Reyes said, “If you ladies are going to hang out here awhile, I think I’ll head over to Dad’s to check on...things.”

  Madison shooed him away. “I’ll give you three hours while Kennedy and I get better acquainted.”

  Better acquainted? What the hell did that have to do with searching through arrest photos? He didn’t like the sound of it and was about to protest when Sterling got to her feet in a rush.

  “No way.” She pointed at Reyes. “You’re going to the house to spar with Cade and I want to take part.”

  Why couldn’t his sister-in-law just go along like Madison had? She never let anything slide, and she never missed an opportunity to sharpen her edge.

  Reyes tried a smile that felt like a snarl. “I thought you were going to visit.”

  “Ha!” Sterling narrowed her eyes on him. It was an effective look for her, both mocking and, for some, intimidating. “You know I don’t get into the whole girl-talk thing.”

  Madison glanced up with indignation. “I hardly think researching traffickers fits that description.”

  “You’re talking clothes, not creeps.”

  “They’re going to search through arrest photos,” Reyes reminded, trying to divert her.

  Sterling huffed. “And that’ll take how long? Once they’re done, we both know the chitchat is going to veer to female stuff.”

  “News flash, Sterling. You’re female.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Barely.”

  Of all the... “My brother would disagree with that assessment.”

  “Your brother is incredibly unique.” She shrugged it off. “So far, he’s the only one I know who makes it worthwhile to be female.”

  Kennedy’s fascinated gaze took it all in. “Why don’t you like being female?”

  Just to irritate Sterling, Reyes answered before she could. “Being smaller and weaker grates on her. She’d rather kick ass than fix her hair.”

  “Hey.” Madison glared at him. “Some of us enjoy doing both.”

  “Yeah, I get it,” Reyes said, with enough inflection to insinuate that Sterling did not. “You happen to be both lethal and feminine. Apparently, most can’t figure out that balance.”

  Slowly smiling, Sterling said, “Oh, now I’m really going to enjoy sparring. Plan to bleed.”

  He groaned. When Sterling got in that particular mood, she could be a total bear. He wouldn’t actually bleed, but he would be wearing a few new bruises before they wrapped it up. “I didn’t agree to spar with you.”

  “You will.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “So maybe I’ll give as good as I get.”

  “You can try.”

  Damn it, they both knew he could flatten her—if he wanted. The problem was that she was his brother’s wife. Cade loved her more than life, and if his scuffling got too rough, Cade would take it out on him. “I’m sparring with you,” Reyes stated, emphasis on sparring. “Save that painful shit for your husband.”

  “Chicken.”

  Ignoring Sterling, he made an impulse decision and bent to press a kiss to Kennedy’s forehead. “Call if you need me, otherwise I’ll be back before Madison is ready to go.”

  It took her a few seconds to recover from the affectionate peck. She blinked several times, then lifted her chin. “I’m getting curious about all this sparring stuff. I think watching would be fun.”

  “Another day,” he said easily, and moved on before she could challenge that dismissal. He leveled a severe look on his sister. “Don’t overdo it.”

  After giving him another airy wave, Madison situated the laptop on the coffee table and gestured Kennedy over to sit beside her so they could look at the images together.

  Sterling turned to Kennedy with a quick apology. “Sorry to visit and run—”

  “I understand,” Kennedy assured her.

  Still, Sterling explained, “Sparring with the guys is special. I always learn something new.”

  “I’m in no way offended,” Kennedy promised. “Go have fun.”

  Fun. Frustrated, Reyes walked out of the room with Sterling dogging his heels. He literally felt her behind him as he went down the hall and out into the garage. If he thought he could leave her behind, he would.

  But one thing he’d learned about Sterling—dealing with her was never easy. In her current challenging mood?

  It’d be downright impossible.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  “I CAME OVER with Madison,” Sterling said. “Since I hadn’t planned to leave—until you offered better entertainment—you’ll have to give me a lift back.”

  Great. More isolated time with her. If only he’d kept his mouth shut. Reyes plastered on an insincere smile. If she knew she’d irked him, she’d only dig in more. “No problem.”

  His lack of enthusiasm made Sterling laugh out loud. “You are so transparent, you big fraud.” When he started around to open her door, she made a sound of derision and hauled herself up into the truck.

  Stopping to stare at her, Reyes propped his fists on his hips. “What if I’d planned to take my bike?” He hadn’t had the Harley out recently. The day was cool, but the sun was bright.

  Already jumping back out of the truck, Sterling said, “Awesome. Let’s do it.”

  Figured she’d like t
hat idea. Cade would kick his ass for real if he had Sterling strapped around him on the drive to his father’s place. For such a calm, in-control guy, his brother was ridiculously territorial with his wife. “No, I don’t think so.”

  “Spoilsport.” Again she jumped easily into the truck. As he pulled out of the driveway, she added, “Reyes has a girlfriend,” in a low and annoying singsong voice.

  The truth was, he loved his sister-in-law, most especially because she had brought Cade back into the family. His big brother had avoided that duty by joining the army rangers. When he medically retired with a bad knee from too many jumps out of moving planes, he’d reluctantly returned to the family...yet an emotional distance had remained.

  From the start, Cade had bucked their father’s iron will. He wanted to choose his own destiny, not fall in line with his father’s plans.

  When he met Sterling, though, he got a whole new perspective on what family meant, mostly because she didn’t have one and therefore appreciated his.

  They’d all pulled together to get her bacon out of the fire. Of course, that hadn’t stopped Reyes from teasing her mercilessly. He’d at first considered her a pushy broad who’d played at being a badass. Hadn’t taken him long to realize she wasn’t playing.

  The lady had endless stamina, a backbone of steel, a streak of bravery a mile wide and endless determination to learn. He liked her. More than that, he respected her.

  Maybe he should tell her that to end their not-so-subtle war.

  Nah. Pretty sure she enjoyed it as much as he did. Or at least, as much as he did when he wasn’t worried for Kennedy.

  “Not denying it, huh?”

  Reyes took his sunglasses from the visor and slipped them on. “What’s that? Did you say something?”

  Sterling grinned. She was a tall, bold woman with strong features, a sturdy, rockin’ body, and a lack of fashion sense. When she smiled? Downright beautiful.

  “You like her. Admit it.”

  “I like her.” He more than liked her. Not that he’d do anything about it.

  “Wow.” Clearly Sterling hadn’t expected that reply. “So how does she feel about you?”

  It occurred to him that his sister-in-law might make a good sounding board. She’d been through a devastating experience similar to what Kennedy had endured. The big difference was that Sterling appeared to bounce back. Like a boxer, she refused to show weakness in any way. Long before she’d met Cade, she’d had some understandable hang-ups concerning sex—but she’d forged onward, involving herself in sexual situations until she no longer froze, for the sole purpose of ensuring she wouldn’t cower when threatened. Her whole focus had been on helping others, and she knew she couldn’t do that if the threat of sex left her emotionally paralyzed.

  Because of her resolve, she’d learned to “get through it” without anyone realizing how she disliked the whole physical thing.

  Now with Cade... The two of them could barely keep their hands off each other. Sterling had gone from tolerating sex to wallowing in the pleasure of it.

  Which meant his brother did a fair amount of smiling these days.

  “Trust me,” Sterling said, “if it takes that much thought trying to figure it out, she’s not into you. Women aren’t that subtle.”

  Never a dull moment with his prickly sister-in-law. She had a razor-sharp wit that he couldn’t help admiring. “I could use some advice.”

  Slapping a hand over her heart, Sterling pretended to swoon back against the door.

  “Knock it off. I’m serious.”

  As if she didn’t believe her ears, she said, “You want my advice?”

  Damn, couldn’t she ever let up? “Never mind. It was a bad idea.”

  “No way, now I want to hear this. Behold, a serious woman. Tell me what’s troubling you. I’m all ears.”

  The humor caught him off guard, making him snicker. “I don’t know how Cade tolerates your sarcasm.”

  “He doesn’t earn it, that’s how.” Shifting to better face him, she grew serious. “Come on, give. All ribbing aside, you’re my brother now and I care about you. I’ll help if I can.”

  Yeah, that was the sister-in-law he loved. She could charge into danger with the best of them, and she also had a heart of gold. “You know what Kennedy went through.”

  “Yeah. Hope the dick who did that to her is buried deep.”

  One guy was. The other? He didn’t know. “She’s...guarded still.”

  Plainspoken as always, Sterling asked, “You mean about sex? With you?”

  Reyes frowned. “You’re jumping the gun.”

  “So you don’t mean sex?”

  Why in the world had he thought she’d be subtle about the topic? “Damn it, will you let me talk?”

  She pretended to zip her lips.

  After shooting her a quelling glance, she remained silent and waiting, and Reyes released a deep breath. “Sex between us hasn’t come up. I’m not an idiot where women are concerned. I pick up on stuff. Kennedy’s not into it, not just with me, but I think with anyone. I think she’s...” Not damaged. Never that. “I don’t think she’s given sex a thought since she got away.”

  “Can I speak now?”

  Why not? “Have at it.”

  “Kennedy obviously doesn’t know what she’s missing. In her mind, sex is still all about humiliation, lack of choices and pain—basically the total opposite of fun. Given what she’s been through, she’s probably not looking to change that.”

  “You did.”

  “Yeah, well, you know I can’t stand being cowed by anyone or anything. To me, sex was a handicap to overcome.”

  “And you managed that.” Could Kennedy?

  “Yeah, I did. Sex was no longer an agony, but it was a far shot from enjoyable.” She bobbed her eyebrows. “Whole different story with your oh-so-amazing brother.”

  “I figured.” It felt both strange and natural to have this discussion with Sterling. “The last thing I want to do is spook Kennedy, you know? I want her to feel safe with me.”

  “She does. Guaranteed.”

  “Yeah? You really think so?”

  “She’s smart, right? She would have moved on already if she didn’t trust you.”

  At least that was something.

  “Here’s what I’d do,” Sterling said. “Build on that trust. Like the way you kissed her goodbye today? Totally took her by surprise, but she didn’t mind. It just wasn’t something in her wheelhouse. I doubt she’s let any guy get close enough for an affectionate peck. Do that a few more times.”

  Not a problem. “And?”

  “Trust opens the door to other things. Right now, she’s got her guard up, even with you. I mean, a smart woman doesn’t want to take the chance on being hurt twice. So while she doesn’t think you’d do anything heinous to harm her, she’s still protecting herself. When she lets down those walls, she’ll notice things.”

  “Like?”

  “Like your very fine physique and sexy attitude. Actually, she’s probably already been clued in on that, she’s just not sure what to do about it.”

  Reyes felt heat burn up the back of his neck. A compliment from Sterling was a damned uncomfortable thing.

  Either she didn’t notice his unease, or she flat out didn’t care. “You know how to seduce, right? I mean, you are Cade’s brother, so I assume—”

  Affronted, he growled, “Knowing how and thinking I should are two different things.”

  In a soothing tone, Sterling explained, “I’m not saying to come on hot and heavy. That’d be all wrong. Just help her ease into things. I know if she gives you a back-off signal, you’ll respect that.”

  “Yes.”

  “So there you go. When she realizes she likes the contact, that a kiss isn’t an ugly, unwanted thing, that it makes her want more, then you can deliver. Litt
le by little, though, okay?” She landed a friendly punch to his shoulder. “I know this family has some superior genes coursing through the bloodline, but a guy is a guy is a guy. Don’t think she’s all enthused when she might not be. Wait until she makes it clear it’s what she wants.”

  “I wouldn’t pressure her.” For some reason, it was important to him for Sterling to understand that.

  “I know that, Reyes.” Briefly she touched his forearm, as if to emphasize the sincerity of her words, then she retreated again. “I guess that’s why you want to spar? Have some pent-up frustrations to work out?”

  Something like that. “Just keeping my edge.”

  “If you say so.”

  Which translated to: You are so full of it.

  He liked Sterling, he really did. If nothing else, she always kept it real.

  * * *

  NOW THAT THEY were alone, Madison launched right into work. “Over the past month, our local Human Trafficking task force teamed up with the state and did a huge sting. They not only rounded up a bunch of missing kids, they got multiple traffickers.”

  Freezing in horror, Kennedy breathed, “The kids are okay?”

  “They are now, yeah. Many of them were runaways and such, and they’re getting help. Some were being groomed to be prostitutes, but for most, it hadn’t happened yet.”

  Thank God.

  Madison scooted closer. “Not every situation is like yours.”

  “I know that, but they’re all awful.”

  “I agree. But what I meant is that sometimes the kids are coaxed into it, not forced. They have someone taking care of them when no one else has—and sometimes just because they think they’re misunderstood and they’re rebelling against their parents. Being out with a ‘protector’ who ensures they have food and pretty clothes, it’s seductive. Then the sexual favors start, and pretty soon, once they’re used to that—”

  “The trafficker asks for more.” Kennedy hated them all. Each and every one of the monsters who preyed on the vulnerable, either through emotional control or physical abuse.

  “Yes.” She touched Kennedy’s hand. “But they’re rescued now, and the ones responsible will be prosecuted. What I need you to do is look through these images and see if you recognize anyone.”